Sleep Disorder

Signs and Symptoms

Narcolepsy:

1. Falling asleep suddenly and uncontrollably in the daytime for periods of five minutes to over an hour.

2. Sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotion or fatigue.

3. Vivid hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up.

4. Fatigue.

Insomnia:

1. Trouble falling asleep.

2. Early waking.

3. Daytime sleepiness.

4. Poor concentration.

Obstructive sleep apnea:

1. Loud bursts of snoring and snorting while sleeping on back.

2. Morning headaches.

3. Daytime sleepiness with difficulty concentrating.

4. Personality changes, such as unusual irritability in the daytime.

What to do now

Narcolepsy:

1. Try to have one or more daytime naps at regular times.

Insomnia:

2. Establish a soothing bedtime routine.

2. Do things that soothes you such as listen to soothing music, or read a book.

3. Drink warm milk.

4. Use your bed only for sleep or sex, not for working or watching TV.

Obstructive sleep apnea:

1. Take attempts to keep from sleeping on your back.

When to call a doctor

1. If you have symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy, particularly if you are sleepy all the time.

2. If you have had insomnia for more than two weeks.

How to prevent it

1. If you can’t get to sleep, get up, drink a glass of milk, and read and relax for a while until your feel sleepy.

2. Rise each morning at the same time, no matter when you went to bed.

3. Avoid caffeinated drinks for at least five hours before bedtime.
E Don’t drink alcohol or smoke for at least three hours before bedtime.

4. Exercise regularly, but not within two hours of bedtime.

5. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight.