Sleep Medicine
Sleep Medicine describes the evaluation of sleep disturbances and sleep disorders which include Insomnia, Sleep Related Breathing Disorders, Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence, Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders, Parasomnias, and Sleep Related Movement Disorders.
Disturbances of sleep can commonly present as the following symptoms:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Teeth grinding
- Insomnia
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Frequent car accidents or near misses/drowsy driving
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep walking
- Nocturia – frequent urination at night
- Sleep-deprived bed partner
Medical conditions known to be directed related to disturbed sleep:
- Low oxygen
- Atrial fibrillation/cardiac arrythmia
- Hypertension
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Thyroid disease
Medical conditions indirectly related to disturbed sleep:
- Heart failure
- Metabolic syndrome
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Obesity
- Polycythemia
- Memory loss