Sleep Disorder,
Insomnia, Sleep Apnea Medical Dictionary
Millions of people suffer from a sleep disorder
such as insomnia or sleep apnea. This medical
dictionary covers the terms used in the report, Improving
Sleep: A guide to a good night’s rest,
and includes details on sleep science, including
the architecture of getting a good night’s
rest, treatment for sleep disorders, the symptoms
of sleep disorders, and more.
advanced sleep phase syndrome: A
daily sleep/wake rhythm in which the onset of
sleep and the time of awakening are earlier than
desired; the person progressively wakes up earlier
and wants to retire earlier each day.
apnea: See sleep apnea.
cataplexy: Sudden paralysis
of some or all muscles brought on by laughter,
anger, or strong emotions; a hallmark of narcolepsy.
central sleep apnea: Sleep
apnea caused when respiratory control centers
in the brain fail to activate breathing muscles.
circadian rhythm: The innate
biological clock that regulates sleep and waking
and controls the daily ups and downs of physiologic
processes, including body temperature, blood
pressure, and the release of hormones.
continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP): A treatment for sleep apnea
in which a continuous stream of air is delivered
through a mask worn over the nose to keep the
sleeper’s airway open.
deep sleep: See slow-wave sleep.
delayed sleep phase syndrome: A
daily sleep/wake rhythm in which the onset of
sleep and wake times are later than desired;
the person tends to go to bed later and get up
later each day.
electroencephalogram (EEG): A
recording of brain waves obtained by attaching
flat metal discs (electrodes) to the scalp; it
shows changes in brain wave voltage and frequency
(in cycles per second).
hypnagogic hallucinations: Often
terrifying dream-like sounds or images occurring
just prior to sleep; a symptom of narcolepsy
that can be mistaken for psychosis.
hypnogram: A diagram that summarizes
the stages of sleep recorded in the sleep laboratory.
insomnia: Trouble falling asleep
or staying asleep, or sleep that is nonrestorative.
melatonin: A hormone produced
in a predictable daily rhythm by the pineal gland.
narcolepsy: A sleep disorder
marked by excessive sleepiness or sudden sleep
attacks.
obstructive sleep apnea: Sleep
apnea resulting from blockage of the airway.
parasomnias: Episodic disruptive
behaviors occurring during sleep, indicating
abnormal or partial arousal.
periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): Syndrome
characterized by periodic jerking of the legs
during sleep.
polysomnography: Simultaneous
recording of brain waves and other measures of
physiological functioning to assess sleep.
quiet sleep: All sleep except
REM sleep. In the quiet phase of sleep, thinking
and most physiological activities slow, but movement
still occurs. Also called non-REM sleep.
rapid eye movement (REM) sleep: A
period of intense brain activity often associated
with dreams; named for the rapid eye movements
that occur during this time. Also called dreaming
sleep.
restless legs syndrome (RLS): Achy
or unpleasant feelings in the legs associated
with a need to move. Most prominent at night,
making it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep.
sleep apnea: Cessation of breathing
during sleep, lasting at least 10 seconds and
associated with a fall in blood oxygen or arousal
from sleep.
sleep architecture: The pattern
made when sleep stages are charted on a hypnogram.
slow-wave sleep: Sleep Stages
3 and 4; during slow-wave sleep the brain becomes
less responsive to external stimuli.
somnambulism: Sleepwalking.
somniloquy: Talking in one’s
sleep.
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