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Sleep disorders
by That's Fit Staff (Subscribe to That's Fit Staff's posts)
Jul 30th 2010
Categories: Mind and body
If you think you've got it tough on the sleep front, think again. Here we take a look at some of the most bizarre sleep disorders experienced on pillows across the world.http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,localizationConfig,entry&id=910024&pid=910023&uts=1279118928
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Sleep disorders
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMP)
PLMP is a condition that causes a person to twitch, jerk, roll around or even thrash the limbs while fast asleep. It is completely involuntary and lasts anywhere between 20 and 30 seconds, up to five times per hour - and the sufferer is usually completely unaware that it's happened even once.
PLMP is a condition that causes a person to twitch, jerk, roll around or even thrash the limbs while fast asleep. It is completely involuntary and lasts anywhere between 20 and 30 seconds, up to five times per hour - and the sufferer is usually completely unaware that it's happened even once.
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Sleep disorders
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMP)
PLMP is a condition that causes a person to twitch, jerk, roll around or even thrash the limbs while fast asleep. It is completely involuntary and lasts anywhere between 20 and 30 seconds, up to five times per hour - and the sufferer is usually completely unaware that it's happened even once.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Another syndrome causing involuntary movement, this time within the legs. RLS makes the sufferer feel as though they simply have to move their legs. This urgency is coupled with a prickling or tingling sensation in the legs, which can make lying down for sleep a distressing and frustrating experience.
Sleep apnoea
This is a very serious disorder as it causes the individual to stop breathing during sleep - sometimes hundreds of times per night. It is caused by the airway becoming blocked, which in turn causes the individual to wake up to start breathing again - although they are unlikely to remember doing so.
Narcolepsy
This condition causes the sufferer to fall asleep at any given moment - even while standing up. Usually triggered by an emotional event such as laughing, the individual will suddenly slump and fall asleep for seconds or, in some cases minutes, several times per day.
Sleep walking
This strange phenomenon is far from trivial - some sleepwalkers have been known to get into their car and drive, or walk into the kitchen and use the oven or knives. They are, however, totally unaware of what they are doing and will have no recollection the following morning.
Exploding head disorder
This causes the sufferer to hear an incredibly loud noise inside their head, usually around an hour after falling asleep. This noise, which is described as anything from a gunshot to screaming, will cause the sufferer to wake up feeling anxious and scared, although it's not believed to be dangerous.
Non-24-hour-sleep-wake syndrome
Sufferers of this syndrome do not have a 24 hour body clock - instead, they are permanently set on 26 hours or more, causing the sufferer to experience extremely long waking hours, and fall asleep and wake up at ever-changing times of day and night.
Sleep bruxism
This is a strange one for anyone who witnesses it - bruxism is grinding of the teeth during sleep. The sufferer will aggressively grate, clench or bite the teeth together, which can cause permanent damage such as jaw disorders and severe headaches.
Sleep paralysis
During sleep, the body is in effect paralysed in order to stay still. However, some people will experience this paralysis while they are falling asleep and/or waking up - meaning they are fully aware of themselves and their surroundings, but are totally unable to move or respond.
REM-sleep behaviour disorder (SBD)
This disorder makes sufferers act out their dreams while they sleep. This is more serious than it sounds as this behaviour can include swearing, shouting, hitting and kicking. Treatment is essential as these movements can become worse over time, as well as becoming violent.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lisa 05-8-2010
Interesting sleep item but I reckon you should give me a job at AOL as the current lot cannot spell. It's "lose sleep" not "loose sleep", people! You could have "loose" sleep I suppose, but that's a different thing entirely :)
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Elizabeth 05-8-2010
My daughter has 'idiopathic hypersommnia', meaning oversleeping of unknown origin! She was sleeping up to 20 hrs a day, and is now on Modafinil which keeps her awake very well. I note this disorder (admittedly more unusual) was not on the list.
As for the extremely common American confusion between lose and loose, this has increased hugely over the past few years to an extent that I wonder whether it is being taught wrongly!
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La 05-8-2010
The first time I spent a night with a guy for the first time (my current boyfriend) I apparently slapped him in my sleep. I can't remember the dream, but the story amuses me no end!
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