Misdiagnosis of Underlying Causes of Sleep disorders
| About underlying conditions: With a diagnosis of Sleep disorders, it is important to consider whether there is an underlying condition causing Sleep disorders. These are other medical conditions that may possibly cause Sleep disorders. For general information on this form of misdiagnosis, see Underlying Condition Misdiagnosis or Overview of Misdiagnosis |
Sleep disorders as a symptom: Conditions listing Sleep disorders as a symptom may also be potential underlying conditions:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Insomnia
- Jet lag
- Menopause
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Postpartum depression
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Silicosis
- Stress
Underlying conditions discussion:
There are two kinds of sleep in a normal sleep cycle - rapid eye
movement or dreaming sleep (REM) and quiet sleep (non-REM). Everyone has
about four or five cycles of REM and non-REM sleep a night. For older
people, the amount of time spent in the deepest stages of non-REM sleep
decreases. This may explain why older people are thought of as light
sleepers. Although the amount of sleep each person needs varies widely,
the average range is between 7 and 8 hours a night. As we age, the amount
of sleep we can expect to get at any one time drops off. By age 75, for
many reasons, some people may find they are waking up several times each
night. But, no matter what your age, talk to a doctor if your sleep
patterns change.1
Footnotes:
1. excerpt from A Good Night's Sleep - Age Page - Health Information: NIA
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