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.

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Sleep disorder

Polysomnograph

Health care; Sleep disorder

A test of sleep cycles and stages through the use of continuous recordings of brain waves (EEG), electrical activity of muscles, eye movement (electrooculogram), breathing rate, blood pressure, blood ...

Unihemispheric sleep

Health care; Sleep disorder

A type of sleep in which one side of the brain is asleep while the other is awake. This phenomenon is observed most notably in birds (like those that make long, transoceanic flights) and aquatic ...

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Health care; Sleep disorder

An operation on the throat to treat severe snoring and sleep apnea. Soft tissue on the back of the throat and soft palate (the uvula) is removed. The tonsils and possibly other excess tissue may also ...

Diurnal

Health care; Sleep disorder

Active or occurring during the daytime; repeating once each 24 hours. The term is often used to describe the behaviour of animals and plants that are active in the daytime.

Initial insomnia

Health care; Sleep disorder

Also called sleep-onset insomnia, it's a symptom of someone having trouble falling asleep.

Benzodiazepines

Health care; Sleep disorder

Group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. First developed in the 1950's, these deugs tranquillise and sedate. They work by slowing down the activity of the central nervous ...

Enuresis

Health care; Sleep disorder

Formal name for bed-wetting which is the involuntary urination. It may occur at any time of the day or night. The term is usually limited to describing individuals old enough to be expected to ...