
Sleep disorders
Sleep disorders can affect young and old, men and women. Average sleep deficits can affect work, family life, relationship problems, and mood. A sleep disorder, one that disrupts your normal sleeping pattern can quickly wreak havoc on day-to-day functions. The good news is that many sleep disorders can be treated – but you have to take the first step.
The sleep specialists at Bon Secours' Sleep Center have state-of-the-art tools and tests to help identify the underlying issues related to sleep disorders like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome, as well as interdisciplinary teams that work together to create the best possible sleep disorder treatment and care plan.
what’s a normal sleep cycle?
The normal sleep cycle lasts about 90 minutes and is repeated four to
six times per night. The cycle includes two very different kinds of
sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement
(NREM) sleep. During sleep, the body cycles between non-REM and REM sleep. Typically,
people begin the sleep cycle with a period of non-REM sleep followed by a very
short period of REM sleep. During the deep stages of NREM sleep, the body repairs and regenerates
tissues, builds bone and muscle, and appears to strengthen the immune system. In people without sleep disorders,
heart rate and respiration speed up and become erratic during REM sleep.
what are the most common sleep disorders?
how do I know if I have a sleep disorder?
When someone has a sleep disorder, the normal sleeping pattern is disturbed. The most commonly reported sleep disruptions are:
- Restless sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Loss of energy
- Irritability
- Anxiety, depression
- Restless legs or creepy, crawly sensation of the legs
- Physically acting out one’s dreams
- Loud snoring
- Morning headaches
- Poor concentration
- Mood or behavior changes
- Impotence
- Sleep paralysis
- Difficulty falling or remaining asleep
+ Take our free, online assessment to identify your risk for a sleep disorder.
+ Want to learn more? Continue the conversation on our BS757 Blog.
Source: "Stages of Sleep" WebMD





