Sleep disorder

Sleep disorder

The disturbance of normal sleep patterns caused by a broad range of illnesses, including dysfunctional sleep mechanisms, abnormalities in physiological functions during sleep, abnormalities of the biological clock, and sleep disturbances that are induced by factors extrinsic to the sleep process.

Industry: Health care

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Sleep disorder

REM sleep rebound

Health care; Sleep disorder

Increase in REM sleep following unnatural reduction. Extension of time in, and an increase in frequency and density of REM sleep episodes.

Chronotherapy

Health care; Sleep disorder

Light therapy. Use of bright light to affect a change in sleep patterns. Chronotherapy advocates claim it affects the same brain chemicals that antidepressant drugs do, with the advantages of being ...

Diagnostic sleep study

Health care; Sleep disorder

Monitoring of several physiological activities. Usually performed to determine the absence or presence of a specific sleep disorder. The sleep study can occur in a sleep disorders centre or in a ...

Ultradian rhythm

Health care; Sleep disorder

Natural bodily rhythms that occur at intervals of less than 24 hours. Ultradian rhythms are recurrent periods or cycles repeated throughout a 24-hour circadian day.

Altitude insomnia

Health care; Sleep disorder

Insomnia that occurs when people go to higher altitudes. Usually accompanied by headaches, loss of appetite, and fatigue. Twenty-five percent of individuals who go from sea level to 2,000 metres will ...