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OTHER SLEEP DISORDERS

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is when you have a strong urge to move your legs. This urge is very hard to resist. It often comes with other uneasy feelings deep inside the legs. You can have a very hard time trying to explain what this feels like. The sensation might be like burning, prickling, itching or tingling. It can even be more extreme and feel painful. These feelings, along with the urge to move, are made worse by rest. Lying or sitting still can be very hard. Temporary relief is found when you walk or move the legs. This relief tends to come right away.

Insomnia

Someone with insomnia may have the following symptoms: 

 

  • Feeling tired and grumpy during the day

  • Having trouble concentrating at work

  • Falling asleep during the day

 

You can be tired and grumpy even if you don’t have insomnia. You may be worn-out from staying up too late at night. This does not mean that you have insomnia. Many people are sleepy during the day simply because they went to bed too late the night before. They don’t have a sleep disorder; they just didn't get enough sleep. 

Narcolepsy

The term narcolepsy is used to describe a group of people affected by excessive sleepiness. It also includes features of dreaming that occur while awake. Narcoleptics are often refreshed by short naps. However, after two or three hours, they feel sleepy again. At times, people with narcolepsy can fall asleep suddenly. These “sleep attacks” can happen while eating, walking or driving. 

Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Shift work sleep disorder is having a problem with your body’s 24 hour internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This disorder is most common for those who work night shifts and have to stay awake all night. It can also be caused from working rotating shifts. For most people, having to change your sleeping schedule may be hard to do and the sleep that you do get is not good enough rest and will cause you to feel unrested.

Parasomnia

Parasomnia is a sleep disorder that involves abnormal movements, behaviors, emotions and dreams that can occur while falling asleep, sleeping or during arousal from sleep. There are many types of parasomnias such as sleep terrors/night terrors, nightmares, sleep walking, rhythmic movement disorders, confused arousals, sleep talking and nocturnal leg cramps.

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