Symptoms and Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders
By Brandon Peters, M.D., About.com Guide
Sleep Disorder Basics
It is important to recognize that though the symptoms of sleep disorders may be similar -- including excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue -- the causes may be quite distinct. Discover the varying subtleties of sleep disorders and learn some of the basic symptoms for each.
- Insomnia
- Acute Insomnia
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Narcolepsy
- Snoring
- Sleep Apnea
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)
- Bedwetting
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Sleep Paralysis
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
- Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome (PLMS)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders
- REM Behavior Disorder
- Sleep Terrors
- Parasomnias
- Reasons Why You Can't Sleep
- Sleep-related Rhythmic Movement Disorder
Causes of Sleep Disorders
Aside from the numerous recognized causes of sleep disorders, many medical conditions often have sleep disruption as one of the possible symptoms. It may be possible to improve your sleep by recognizing and eliminating some of these potential causes.
- Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Apnea in Children
- Large Tonsils in Children
- ADHD
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Hypothyroidism
- Depression
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Sleep Seizures
- PTSD and Nightmares
- What Substances Cause Nightmares
- Caffeine Withdrawal
- Cigarette Smoking
- Pets Sharing the Bed
- TV and Your Bedroom
- Deviated Septum and Snoring
- Dementia and Circadian Rhythms
- Causes of Restless Legs Syndrome
- Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
Getting a Diagnosis
If you believe that you suffer from a sleep disorder, how should you go about getting a diagnosis? Educate yourself on how to find a sleep specialist or sleep center. Find out what testing should be done, and what options are available to you. Actively preparing yourself for the process will also help when the diagnosis becomes clear.
- How to Choose a Sleep Doctor
- Why Do We Sleep
- Sleep Stage Basics
- Sleep Architecture
- Diagnostic Tests for Sleep Disorders
- What to Expect in a Polysomnogram
- Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT)
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
- Pupillometry
- Overnight Oximetry
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale
- Sleep Log
- Diagnostic Tests for Insomnia
- Diagnosis of Narcolepsy
- Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for Sleep Disorders
- Actigraphy
- Actigraphy in Children
- BEARS Questions to Assess Children's Sleep
- What Is a Sleep Lab?
Sleep and Your Health
Many elements of our general health are profoundly, and sometimes unusually, dependent on how well we sleep at night. Poor sleep has many potential complications from gaining weight to worsening diabetes or high blood pressure to sudden death. Explore some of these potential relationships and understand how important a good night's sleep may actually be.
- Expand Your Sleep Vocabulary
- 10 Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
- Determining your Sleep Needs
- Obesity
- Deadly Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Apnea and Stroke Risk
- Women's Sleep and Marriage
- Can You Sleep With Your Eyes Open?
- Getting Beauty Sleep
- Nighttime Heartburn
- Consequences of Sleep Apnea in Children
- How Sleep Problems Affect Children's Behavior
- How Sleep Affects Children's Growth
- What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Deprivation?
- What Are the Physical Effects of Sleep Deprivation?
- What Are the Side Effects of Sleep Deprivation?
- Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Hallucinations?
- Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Your Death?
- What is a Wet Dream?
- Can You Fart While Asleep?
