Sleep Deprivation Dictionary

antidepressant medication: Can alter sleep patterns. Lithium, for instance, has been known to cause sleepwalking. MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) drugs commonly cause insomnia. MAOI medicine is also known to cause restlessness if treatment is suddenly stopped, which can further compromise rest patterns. SSRI medication (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) can cause insomnia. An SSRI increases energy levels and awareness, so the medication is best taken in the morning to avoid sleeplessness.

asthma: Sufferers often wake during the night when their symptoms flare up. The coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties associated with asthma are often worse at night or early in the morning. Adequate treatment and minimizing contact with asthma triggers can help maintain healthier rest patterns.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Has been linked to both snoring and sleeping disorders. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is generally considered to be a developmental disorder, largely neurological in nature, affecting about five percent of the world's population. The disorder typically presents itself during childhood, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility.

bedwetting: Also known as nocturnal enuresis, is simply urination while asleep.

bruxism: Also known as teeth grinding. An unconscious response to anger or stress. Grinding teeth helps release these emotions. It can also cause long-term teeth and jaw damage. Bruxism may occur at any time of the day, but most often occurs at night.

chronic fatigue syndrome: May be dismissed as lack of sleep. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by a complete lack of energy, making even minor tasks difficult. Not even restful sleep restores energy levels.

decongestants: Over-the-counter decongestants often contain the vasodilators pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, two medications that can interfere with regular rest patterns.

depression and bipolar disorder: Sleeping irregularities are one of the defining symptoms of clinical depression. Occasionally depression may cause a person to oversleep, but more often causes insomnia or restless, fitful sleep. Just as depression may cause insomnia, chronic insomnia can trigger depression and anxiety disorders. Bipolar disorder also interferes with normal rest patterns. Once known as manic depression, bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania. During the manic phase, people may function on as little as three hours of sleep a night, placing the body under extreme stress. During the depressive phase of bipolar disorder, sleeping disturbances characteristic of depression may occur.