Sleep Basics (How To Get a Good Night's Sleep): Sleep is defined as a state of unconsciousness from which a person can be aroused. In this state, the brain is relatively more responsive to internal stimuli than external stimuli. Sleep deprivation has many deleterious effects on the body. Sleep apnea and sleep paralysis are two common kinds of sleep disorders. Several activities can help one to fall asleep fast.
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Bedwetting
Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) is the involuntary passage of urine while sleeping. Causes of bedwetting include urinary tract infection, diabetes, emotional problems, neurological problems, pinworm infection, and excessive fluid intake. Treatment may incorporate moisture detectors, medication, and surgery. -
Disorders That Disrupt Sleep (Parasomnias)
Parasomnias are sleep problems that significantly disrupt the lives of those who suffer them. Parasomnias include speech and movements during sleep, sleep walking, night terrors, sleep paralysis , and abnomalities in the natural stages of sleep, among other problems. These problems are diagnosed through polysomnography (sleep testing), and can be treated with a combination of medications, sleep hygiene depending on the particular disorder. -
Insomnia
Insomnia affects most people at some point in their lifetime. Insomnia is actually a symptom of a condition, disease, or situation. Non-medical treatment of insomnia includes: sleep hygiene, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, and sleep restriction. There are many medications that can be prescribed to a person with insomnia. -
Understanding Insomnia Medications
Insomnia is a common problem for many people. Insomnia can be primary or secondary. Secondary causes of insomnia include medications, diseases, environmental factors, and pregnancy. Non-drug, home remedies, and OTC and prescription drugs that treat insomnia include: Sleeping pills Melatonin Sleep hygiene education Biofeedback Relaxation therapy Common side effects of sleeping pills include: Impaired coordination, balance, or mental alertness Depression Suicidal thoughts -
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes the sufferer to fall asleep or experience extreme exhaustion during the day or at inappropriate times. The treatment involves a variety of different classes of medication, depending on the patient. -
Night Terrors
Night terrors comprise a sleep disorder distinctly different from nightmares, which are normal and happen during REM sleep. Intense fear and/or crying over multiple episodes during sleep characterize night terrors, which usually occur in children. Rarely, tricyclic antidepressants are prescribed in severe cases, but the disorder usually is not harmful and resolves itself. -
Nightmares
Nightmares occur from time to time in many children, but they are most common in preschoolers (children aged 3 to 6 years) because this is the age at which normal fears develop. Practicing good sleep hygiene and other strategies can help eliminate nightmares. -
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomnia is sleeplessness that cannot be attributed to a medical, psychiatric, or environmental cause (such as drug abuse or medications). Symptoms of primary insomnia include: Difficulty falling asleep Frequently awakening during the night Atypical reactions to sleep medications Tense Treatment may include lifestyle changes, therapy, medication, or a combination of these. -
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorders caus disruption in the REM stage of sleep. In such disorders, the REM is deficient or absent, along with the normal paralysis that goes with it. This allows the sufferer to act out his dreams, often causing injury. REM sleep disorder can be a side effect of medication or a symptom of a serious neurological disease. Clonazepam and tricyclic antidepressants have proved effective in treating REM sleep disorders. -
Sleep and Sleep Disorders in Children
Sleep and sleep disorders may be affected by a variety of factors. Learn about the different types of sleep disorders as well as symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. -
Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea
There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (the most common type) and central sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can be caused by many factors such as strokes, heart failure, medications, or physical structures in the throat and mouth. Treatment range from medical devices to surgery. -
Sleep Disorders and Aging
Sleep problems are common among people as they age. People tend to sleep less in later years, but other sleep issues can be caused by a variety of medical symptoms and drug side effects. Daytime sleepiness and fatigue and reduce the quality of life for senior citizens. Medications and sleep hygeine, or a combination of the two, can help. -
Sleep Disorders in Women
Sleep disorders affect both men and women, but suffer these problems at double the rate of men. Psychosocial stress, hormonal changes, illness, and lifestyle factors can all affect sleep in women. Medications may be used to help women get to sleep, but losing weight, avoiding caffeine, getting plenty of exercise and overall good sleep hygiene can help in many cases. -
Sleeplessness and Circadian Rhythm Disorder
A person's circadian rhythm is an internal biological clock that regulates a variety of biological processes according to an approximate 24-hour period. A disorder of the circadian rhythm may cause sleeplessness on at transient or chronic basis. The disorder can be caused by air travel across time zones, shift work, irregular sleep-wake cycle, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and advanced sleep-phase syndrome. -
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking is a sleep disorder or "parasomnia." It is characterized by complex action and walking during sleep. This is common in children in early and middle adolescence. The sleepwalker doesn't remember what happens during these episodes. -
Snoring
Snoring is the sound that occurs during sleep when soft tissues where the throat meets the back of the nasal passage partially block the airway and subsequently vibrates and causes noise. Snoring in itself isn't a big medical problem, but can be an indicator of a more serious problem like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
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Sleep FAQs Doctors still haven't figured out why we do it, but we all need it, that's for sure! Get answers to your frequently asked questions (FAQs) on sleep and sleep hygiene.
Expert Views and News
- Quality Sleep Extremely Elusive During Pandemic
- Poor Sleep Increases Dementia and Mortality
- Sunset Daylight Saving Time, Sleep Experts Say
- Alzheimer's Disease May Affect Sleep Patterns
- Tips on Getting Quality Sleep During COVID
- Cannabis for Sleep: Benefit or Disruption?
- Better Sleep Linked to Reduced CVD, Stroke Risk
- Impulsivity: Good Sleep Plus Limits on Screen Time
- Sleeping Pill Use Linked to Increased Dementia
- Insomnia Common But Often Short-Lived
- Study: Weekend Sleep-Ins May Help You Live Longer
- Nobel Prize Winners Unlocked Your Sleep Secrets
- Shorter Sleep Tied to Higher Type 2 Diabetes Risk
- Longer Shifts for First-Year Residents
- Daytime Napping Linked to Diabetes Risk
- Can ‘Talk Therapy' Help You Sleep?
- Sleep Loss May Boost False Memories
- Lower Starting Dose for Sleep Drug Lunesta
- Brain May Flush Out Toxins During Sleep
- Blame the Moon for Bad Sleep?
- Sleep On It: How Snoozing Strengthens Memories
- Sleep Helps Vaccines Work: Study
- Get This Much Sleep for a Sharp Memory
- New Sleeping Pill Suvorexant Works in Early Studies
- Obesity, Depression Linked to Daytime Sleepiness
- Fear of the Dark May Trigger Insomnia
- Sleep Apnea: Treatment May Help Keep BP Low
- 30% of Workers Get Far Too Little Sleep
- Sleep Apnea Linked to Depression
- Sleep Less, Eat More?
- 1 in 4 Pilots Sleepy on the Job
- Study: Sleep Disturbances Not Linked to Aging
- Sleeping Pills Called "as Risky as Cigarettes"
- Could Sleep Problems Predict Alzheimer's?
- Kids' Lack of Sleep: Nothing New About Blaming It on Modern Life
- Treating Sleep Apnea in Kids Improves Behavior, Quality of Life
- Sleep Apnea Linked to Silent Strokes
- Middle-of-Night Sleeping Pill Intermezzo Approved
- Women's Sleep Problems Linked to Fibromyalgia Risk
- Lack of Sleep, Overweight Linked to Kids' Learning Problems
- Loneliness May Disrupt Sleep
- Sleeping Soon After Dinner May Raise Stroke Risk
- Poor Sleep May Raise Blood Pressure
- Breathing Problems During Sleep Linked to Memory Problems
- Hammocks Help You Sleep
- Sleep Deprivation Plus Stress Hurts Blood Pressure
- Exercise Improves Sleep and Nighttime Breathing Troubles
- Sleep Loss May Lower Testosterone
- Weight Loss May Improve Sleep Apnea
- Elderly Sleep Problems May Be Tied to Hormones
- Sleep Apnea, Daytime Sleepiness: Risky Combo
- Alcohol at Bedtime May Not Help Your Sleep
- Sleep Better: Make Your Bed
- Women Give Up Sleep to Care for Others
- SIDS Cases Rise on New Year's Day
- Lack of Sleep Hurts Your Looks
Sleep Basics (How To Get a Good Night's Sleep) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Sleep Basics (How To Get a Good Night's Sleep) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
RamelteonRamelteon is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It works by affecting certain substances in your body that help regulate your "sleep-wake cycle."
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EszopicloneEszopiclone is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZaleplonZaleplon is a sedative that is used to treat insomnia. This medicine causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep...learn more »
ZolpidemZolpidem is used to treat insomnia. The immediate-release forms of zolpidem are Ambien, Intermezzo, Edluar, and Zolpimist, which...learn more »
TemazepamTemazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peen) that is used to treat insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)...learn more »
Sleep Basics (How To Get a Good Night's Sleep) Topic Guide – Related Topics
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Electroencephalography (EEG)
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Hot Flashes and Menopause
Hot flashes are a common condition experienced by women in the perimenopause and menopause transition. The exact cause of the hot flashes is not clear. Symptoms...learn more »
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can also be called "systemic exertion intolerance disease," and it has no known cause. The condition is characterized by severe l...learn more »
Night Sweats
Night sweats refer to excess sweating occurring during the night. Causes include menopause, infections such as TB, appendicitis and diverticulitis, cancer; medi...learn more »
Anxiety
Anxiety as a medical condition is characterized by worry, fear, nervousness, shortness of breath, sleep problems and other symptoms. Diarrhea, tremors, and rapi...learn more »
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain that persists for a period of six months or longer, and is the result of a long-standing medical condition(s) or damage to the body. Com...
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Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during learn more »
