Learning To Understand Options For Better Sleep With Chicago Area Sleep Medicine Center

By Harriett Simington


The most widely known of this type of disorder is insomnia. This is described as being unable to doze off or slumber through the night. The normal daily life can be impacted by this. There is help available at a Chicago Sleep Medicine Center.

This branch of medicine is a relatively recent field. The initial help clinics were started in the 1970s. Any licensed physician could establish a laboratory to study the disorders until 1999.

The Chicago area has six clinics staffed by board-certified doctors. Postgraduate training is completed. The clinics are accredited by the Academy of Sleep Medicine.

One troubling disorder is sleep apnea. It is distinguished by abnormal breathing that is subject to stops and starts. Usually, these individuals snore loudly throughout the night. Narcolepsy is typified by the person dozing off at unexpected times.

In sharp contrast to insomnia is the condition called hypersomnia. The person with this disorder dozes for an excessive amount of time. Some are afflicted with night terrors and others may be sleepwalkers.

Some of these disorders are due to a physical illness. Others may be a side effect of a mental illness. Some sufferers have substance abuse problems. In these types, the condition causing the affliction must be addressed first.

A driver who is deprived of adequate rest is more likely to have a traffic accident than one who is drunk. Thirty-one percent of the fatalities among truck drivers are caused by fatigue. Twenty-nine percent are said to be caused by alcohol or drugs.

Another type is the Circadian Rhythm disorder. This is related to the timing of unconsciousness and being awake. When it is time to go to bed, this individual finds it difficult to doze off. Then, he or she is tired and has a difficult time getting up the next day.

The Circadian Rhythm is controlled by hormones and changes in metabolism. Contributing factors include how light is transmitted visually to the optic nerve and brain. An individual with normal rest patterns has a synchronized body clock.




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