Dictionary

parasomnia: Refers to both involuntary physical movements while asleep and vivid dreaming. Night terrors, teeth grinding, restless legs syndrome, and sleep walking and talking are examples of parasomnia. Nocturnal teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause teeth damage and jaw pain.

post-traumatic hypersomnia: Excessive tiredness may result from physical injury to the central nervous system, or from infections. Surgery, brain injuries, disease or spinal cord injuries can all cause the condition. Over the course of time, symptoms usually diminish.

post-traumatic stress disorder (PDSD): Flashbacks and nightmares characterize post-traumatic stress disorder, a severe anxiety disorder that results from living through devastating events. Nightmares, anxiety and depression may all occur as a result of PTSD, making it difficult to maintain healthy rest habits.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Disorder: While dreaming, most people experience a temporary paralysis, which prevents dreams from being physically acted out. REM movement disorder occurs when this safety mechanism is compromised. It is typically seen in older men. Injury and violence toward others may occur as the affected person acts his out vivid dreams.

recurrent hypersomnia: Can occur between two to 12 times a year, and last several days or weeks. During an episode, total daily slumber can range between eighteen to 20 hours a day.

restless legs syndrome (RLS): A deep feeling of pulling, itching, or "creeping" in the legs, especially when lying down. The feeling is almost impossible to ignore, and is alleviated slightly by moving the legs. Fragmented and poor quality rest due to constant leg motion leads to daytime fatigue and tiredness.

rhythmic movement disorder: Also referred to as jactatio capitis nocturna, is a condition characterized by repetitive banging or rocking motions just before and during light sleep.

sleep apnea: Occurs when people temporarily stop breathing while asleep. Often people wake suddenly when they stop breathing.

sleep paralysis: A condition characterized by temporary paralysis of the body shortly after waking up (known as hypnopompic paralysis) or, less often, shortly before falling asleep (known as hypnagogic paralysis).

sleeping pills: Often used to treat insomnia, but long-term use is not recommended. The body builds up a tolerance for sleeping pills quickly. Within a month of constant use, the medication is doing little to help you any longer. Suddenly stopping such medication can also worsen sleep deprivation, a condition known as rebound insomnia.

sleep starts: Sleep starts, also known as hypnic jerks, hypnagogic jerks, and predormital myoclonus, are benign, physiological phenomena. They usually present with motor manifestations of transient body jerks at onset of sleep, and are often triggered by fatigue, stress, and sleep deprivation.

sleep talking: May range from incomprehensible words to complete sentences. People have no recollection of talking, and often speak in an emotionless voice. Sleep talking is often seen in combination with apnea and other disorders.