Sleep Medicine
Overview
Sleep medicine is a medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and therapy of sleep disturbances and disorders. This field has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with the recognition of various sleep disorders and the development of numerous diagnostic tools and therapies.
History
The field of sleep medicine has its roots in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the discovery of rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep and the identification of various sleep disorders. However, it was not until the late 20th century that sleep medicine began to emerge as a distinct specialty.
Sleep Disorders
There are over 80 different sleep disorders that are generally classified into six main categories: insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, hypersomnias, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, parasomnias and sleep-related movement disorders.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, even when a person has the chance to do so.
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
This category includes disorders such as sleep apnea, where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, and snoring.
Hypersomnias
Hypersomnias are a group of sleep disorders that cause excessive sleepiness. They include conditions such as narcolepsy and Kleine-Levin syndrome.
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
These disorders involve a problem in the timing of sleep. People with these disorders have sleep times that are out of alignment with their internal body clock.
Parasomnias
Parasomnias are disruptive sleep disorders. They include nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Sleep-Related Movement Disorders
These disorders are characterized by movement during or prior to sleep. They include restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of sleep disorders usually involves a combination of medical history, physical examination, and various tests including polysomnography, actigraphy, and multiple sleep latency test.
Treatment
Treatment of sleep disorders can include a combination of lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, medications, and medical devices or surgeries.
Research
Research in sleep medicine is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of sleep, the causes and effects of sleep disorders, and the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods.