OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA
It is estimated that 30 million Americans suffer from this life-threatening condition. In fact, if you’re an adult male, there’s a 50/50 chance that you suffer abnormal breathing while you sleep. With obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the patient’s throat closes while he or she sleeps, which stops them from breathing. This breathing cessation may last anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes, only ends when the patient awakens, and may occur hundreds of times throughout the night. The episodes may occur hundreds of times throughout the night. OSA is often accompanied by loud snoring. If the snoring is punctuated by brief silences or choking sounds, OSA is definitely present. The condition is progressive and tends to worsen as patients age. Without treatment, OSA can lead to heart attack or stroke. That’s why it’s crucial that OSA sufferers seek treatment immediately.

NARCOLEPSY
As many as 1 in every 2,000 Americans suffer from this often undiagnosed condition, said to be the second leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy sufferers’ abnormal REM sleep patterns can create overwhelming sleepiness and fatigue during the day, as they are unable to rejuvenate themselves with proper sleep. They may experience cataplexy, a sudden weakening of the muscles triggered by emotions. Narcoleptics may find that surprise, anger or even laughter leads their knees to buckle, causing them to fall.

PEDIATRIC SLEEP DISORDERS
Symptoms like bed-wetting, daytime mouth-breathing, irritability and attention-deficit hyperactivity—in addition to typical adult symptoms— may be signs that your child suffers from a sleep disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing these disorders from creating long-term medical and psycho-social difficulties.

REM BEHAVIOR DISORDER
Most prevalent in men over 60, REM behavior disorder is characterized by an acting out of dramatic or violent dreams during REM sleep—often accompanied by grunting or shouting. The disorder may also include sleepwalking and limb movement. Patients’ health, work and relationships can suffer greatly from their poor quality of sleep.

RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
Patients with restless legs syndrome describe unpleasant sensations they feel in their legs that can be briefly relieved with sudden movement. The pain and discomfort is intensified by inactivity, making sleep time a prime arena for attacks. Sufferers often have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Some also suffer from periodic limb movement disorder.

PERIODIC LIMB MOVEMENT DISORDER
This disorder is characterized by repetitive movement of limbs, usually the legs, during sleep. The sudden movements typically occur every 20 to 40 seconds and, obviously, destroy patients’ ability to enjoy quality sleep.

NIGHT TERRORS
Most people experience dream and nightmares during REM sleep. People with night terrors can tell you that they’re far different from nightmares. Night terrors occur outside of REM sleep and usually last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. These attacks may include screaming, sweating, confusion and rapid heart rate. The patient’s eyes may be open during the terrors, but they typically awaken with no memory but an overwhelming sense of fear.