Sleep Disorders Sourcebook, 5th Ed.

Sleep is increasingly being recognized as important to public health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) suggest that adults need at least seven hours of quality sleep each night to stay healthy. But according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), well over one third of American adults are not getting enough sleep on regular basis. Persons experiencing sleep insufficiency are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, and obesity, as well as from cancer, increased mortality, and reduced quality of life and productivity.

Sleep Disorders Sourcebook, Fifth Edition offers basic consumer health information about common sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias, and other health problems that affect sleep, such as cancer, pain, and respiratory disorders. It explains how much sleep is needed, the causes and consequences of sleep deprivation, and the methods used to prevent, diagnose, and treat sleep disorders. Pediatric sleep issues are also discussed that impact children from infancy through the teen years. A glossary of terms related to sleep disorders and a list of resources for further help and information are also included.

The book is divided into parts and chapters where parts focus on broad areas of interest and chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part I: Sleep Basics presents facts about why and how people sleep, including an explanation of circadian rhythms, the physical characteristics of sleep, the benefits of napping. It offers information on dreams and nightmares and explains how they affect the sleep. It also describes gender differences in sleep, explains how aging affects sleep patterns, and discusses myths related to sleep.

Part II: The Causes and Consequences of Sleep Deprivation defines sleep deprivation, and talks about the people most at risk for sleep deprivation. It provides information on why your brain and body need sleep. It also describes the molecular link between lack of sleep and weight gain. The part concludes with information on the connection between sleep deprivation and learning.

Part III: Sleep Disorders describes disorders that directly affect the ability to sleep. These include disorders, such as sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, insomnia, parasomnias, etc. Narcolepsy and other disorders associated with excessive sleeping are also discussed.

Part IV: Other Health Problems that Often Affect Sleep provides information about disorders that often impact sleep quality, including cancer, fibromyalgia, headaches, respiratory disorders, and mental health concerns. The symptoms that disrupt sleep are described, and suggestions for lessening their impact are provided.

Part V: Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Sleep Disorders identifies common sleep disruptors and explains the importance of a proper sleep environment. It describes how sleep studies work and details treatment options, including medications, dietary supplements, continuous positive airway pressure, and other complementary and alternative medications.

Part VI: A Special Look at Pediatric Sleep Issues describes sleep disturbances in infancy, childhood, and adolescence. It discusses safe sleeping environments for infants and explains sudden infant death syndrome. It provides information on how to get children into bed and offers facts about bedwetting, sleepwalking, and teeth grinding.

Part VII: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to sleep and sleep disorders and a directory of resources for additional help and support.