Sleep is one of the great mysteries of modern neuroscience. An average human being spends a third of its live asleep, and yet the function of sleep is still unknown. Sleep disorders are a very common health problem, affecting up to 70 million people in the U.S.A. Some of the most common ones are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea and periodic limb movement.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder people are familiar with. While some individuals have trouble falling asleep initially, others fall asleep and then awaken halfway through the night and can not fall asleep again. Several sedative treatments are available, but none of these produces a truly natural and restful sleep phase, since they tend to suppress the deeper stages of slow wave sleep.

Since insomnia can result in a severe lack of sleep, it can lead to a myriad of health and psychological problems. Furthermore, the subsequent daytime sleepiness can result in a higher possibility to be involved in accidents, because of the decrease in alertness.

Obstructive sleep apnea

This condition causes the airway muscles in the throat to collapse as the sleep gets deeper. This, of course, prevents breathing, which results in arousal from sleep, and thus prevents the person suffering from the condition to reach the deeper stages of slow wave sleep. Other consequences of obstructive sleep apnea are high blood pressure and an increased risk of a heart attack. Furthermore, the resulting sleepiness during daytime increases the risk of accidents.

Sometimes simple things, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol and drug prior to sleep and avoiding sleeping on one’s back, might help. However, most people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea require devices that induce a continuous airway pressure that keeps the airway open. In some cases, surgery is required to correct the airway anatomy.

Periodic limb movements

Intermittent jerks of the legs or arms that occur as the person enter slow wave sleep, are called periodic limb movements. These jerks can be so violent that they result in arousal from sleep. Another manifestation of this condition occurs when the muscles fail to paralyze during REM sleep, so the sufferers, in fact, act out their dreams. This, of course, can be very disruptive to a normal night’s sleep. Both manifestations of the disorder are more common in people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease and as such, both manifestations can be treated with drugs that also treat Parkinson’s, or with a drug called clonazepam.

In conclusion, never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep.