Sleep Disorders Sourcebook, 6th Ed.

A third of U.S. adults report getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. Not getting enough sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression—that threaten our nation’s health. Not getting enough sleep can lead to motor vehicle crashes and mistakes at work, which cause many injuries and disabilities each year. Getting enough sleep is not a luxury but something people need for good health. Sleep disorders can also increase a person’s risk of health problems. However, these disorders can be diagnosed and treated, relieving those suffering from them.

Sleep Disorders Sourcebook, Sixth Edition offers basic consumer health information about common sleep disorders, including insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, circadian rhythm disorders, 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 that impact children from infancy through the teen years are also discussed. A glossary of terms related to sleep disorders and a list of resources for further help and information are also included. A glossary of terms related to sleep disorders and a list of resources for further help and information are also included.

Part 1: Sleep Basics presents facts about why and how people sleep, explaining circadian rhythms, the physical characteristics of sleep, and the benefits of napping. It offers information on dreams and nightmares and explains how they affect sleep. It also describes sleep in women and men, explains how aging affects sleep patterns and sleep-related myths.

 Part 2: The Causes and Consequences of Sleep Deprivation details sleep deprivation and talks about the people at risk for sleep deprivation. It provides information on why your brain and body need sleep. The part explains how sleep deprivation affects daily activities, such as learning and driving. It also describes the molecular link between lack of sleep and weight gain. The part ends with information on getting enough sleep and how much sleep is needed.

Part 3: Sleep Disorders describes conditions that directly affect the ability to sleep. These include disorders such as sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, and parasomnias. Narcolepsy and other disorders associated with excessive sleeping are also discussed.

 Part 4: Other Health Problems That Often Affect Sleep provides information about health problems that often impact sleep quality, including cancer, chronic disease, stroke, fibromyalgia, headaches, and mental health concerns. The symptoms that disrupt sleep are described, and suggestions for lessening their impact are also provided.

 Part 5: Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Sleep Disorders identifies common sleep disruptors and explains the importance of sleeping habits. It explains the sleep environment, exercises to get proper sleep, and mind and body practices. It describes how sleep studies work and details treatment options for insomnia, including medications, dietary supplements, continuous positive airway pressure, and other complementary and alternative medications.

 Part 6: A Special Look at Pediatric Sleep Issues describes sleep disturbances in infancy, childhood, and adolescence; provides sleep information for parents and caregivers; and also discusses about tonsil surgery to improve sleep apnea syndrome in children. 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 bed-wetting, sleepwalking, bruxism, and teeth grinding.

 Part 7: Additional Help and Information includes a glossary of terms related to sleep disorders and a directory of resources offering additional help and support.