Articles Index

Why Can I Sleep?

Why can I sleep? If you compare your ability to sleep with others, you might conclude that you have an easier time of it. Rather than having insomnia, you may have no problem sleeping at all. What determines our ability to sleep? Learn about sleep needs, circadian rhythms, and whether your ability to sleep might suggest a sleep disorder.

What to Take When You Can't Sleep

If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep, you may want to learn what to take when you can't sleep. From food to beverages to sleeping pills, there are many options to consider. What solutions are available at home? When should you see your doctor?

Tongue Stabilizing Device for Treating Sleep Apnea

If you have difficulty treating your obstructive sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), you may be seeking other options. Learn about an alternative oral appliance called a tongue stabilizing device and how this might help treat your sleep apnea.

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator for Treating Sleep Apnea

If you wish to pursue a surgical treatment option for your obstructive sleep apnea, you may be interested in learning about the use of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator. How does the hypoglossal nerve stimulator work? Learn about how this surgically implanted device can treat your sleep apnea.

How to Cope with Parasomnias

Abnormal behaviors that characterize parasomnias may be dangerous to the person who experiences them or to bed partners. Learn about measures you can take to ensure safety as well as ways to cope with parasomnias.

Understanding Narcolepsy in Children

If your child has excessive daytime sleepiness or problems with attention, behavior, or mood, you may want to consider whether narcolepsy may be the underlying cause of these difficulties. How does narcolepsy present in children? What are the necessary diagnostic tests? What treatment options are available? Learn about narcolepsy in children.

What Is African Sleeping Sickness?

One of the rare infectious diseases that may lead to a fatal sleep condition, what is African sleeping sickness? Learn about the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease.

What Is Sleep-related Rhythmic Movement Disorder?

What is sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (RMD)? If your child has been observed to rock, head bang, or rhythmically move in the early part of sleep, you may wish to learn about RMD. What conditions might occur with it? Learn about the diagnosis of RMD as well as the treatment options to keep your child safe.

What Is the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation?

For those with an interest in restless legs syndrome (RLS), the non-profit organization called the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is a helpful resource. Learn how the RLS Foundation provides educational materials, support groups, and opportunities to advance research into the condition.

What Is the Narcolepsy Network?

What is the Narcolepsy Network? Learn about this non-profit organization and how it supports people with the sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Idiopathic Hypersomnia

Excessive daytime sleepiness may represent a condition called idiopathic hypersomnia. What is idiopathic hypersomnia? What testing is required to rule out other conditions before accepting this diagnosis? Are there treatment options for idiopathic hypersomnia? Learn more about this condition.

Diagnosis of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a rare disease that causes excessive daytime sleepiness. Learn a little about what narcolepsy is and the standard tests used to diagnose it.

What Are Risk Factors for SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may be due to a number of risk factors. What increases the risk of your child having SIDS? Learn about what you can do to ensure your child sleeps safely.

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea

What are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea? Is it possible that some of your health problems may be due to this condition? Learn about the various symptoms of sleep apnea.

What Causes Sleep Paralysis

What are the causes of sleep paralysis? Is there a way to avoid having sleep paralysis? What are some unscientific explanations given for the occurrence? Learn about what leads to sleep paralysis.

Symptoms of Sleep Paralysis

Sleep paralysis is a unique experience, but what are some of the most common symptoms of this condition? From an inability to move to hallucinations to fear, learn about the symptoms of sleep paralysis.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

What are the risk factors that increase your chances of having sleep apnea? How do you know if you are at risk? If you are at higher risk for sleep apnea, is there anything you can do to change this? Learn about the risk factors for sleep apnea.

What Is the Cause of SIDS?

What is the cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? Learn about some of the underlying factors that may predispose your child to a risk of developing SIDS. Also consider what you can do as a parent to ensure your child sleeps safely.

What Is SIDS?

What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? What are some of the defining characteristics of this condition? Learn about SIDS and its occurrence in the sleep of young children.

Understanding the Terrors of Sleep Paralysis

Learn about the common features of the terrifying condition known as sleep paralysis, including how often it occurs, the potential causes, and how it should be treated.

Gabapentin Can Treat RLS Symptoms

Learn about the prescription medication gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin or Horizant, which can effectively treat the uncomfortable sensations that occur in restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Preventing Heartburn While You Sleep

It is possible to prevent the uncomfortable symptoms of heartburn while you sleep. The occurrence of heartburn may range from infrequently to nightly, but for those with severe disease it is important to seek treatment to prevent significant consequences. Fortunately, there are many treatment options including effective medications.

Intermezzo Sleeping Pill Targets Middle-of-the-Night Awakenings

Intermezzo is the first sleeping pill designed to target middle-of-the-night awakenings without adverse morning side effects. What are the uses of this medication, how does Intermezzo work, and what are common or serious side effects? Learn more about the sleep aid called Intermezzo and whether it is the right prescription drug to treat your insomnia.

The Diagnosis of Insomnia

If you suffer from difficulties falling or staying asleep, you may wonder if you have insomnia. How is insomnia diagnosed? Is it necessary to have any tests? Learn about the diagnosis of insomnia.

How Sleep Apnea Occurs

Sleep apnea is a common condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, but what causes it? How does sleep apnea occur? Explore the answers by reviewing an excerpt from UpToDate, a trusted health information resource.