Sleep disorder

Sleep disorder

The disturbance of normal sleep patterns caused by a broad range of illnesses, including dysfunctional sleep mechanisms, abnormalities in physiological functions during sleep, abnormalities of the biological clock, and sleep disturbances that are induced by factors extrinsic to the sleep process.

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Sleep disorder

hypnagogic hallucination

Health care; Sleep disorder

A “greater-than-life-like” dream experience that occurs during sleep. Hypnagogic hallucinations are sometimes associated with narcolepsy.

neurotransmitter

Health care; Sleep disorder

A chemical produced by neurons, such as acetylcholine or dopamine, that carries messages to other neurons. Neurotransmitters are clustered beneath the membrane on the presynaptic side of a synapse, ...

narcolepsy

Health care; Sleep disorder

A chronic sleep disorder characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep, and with symptoms including excessive sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, overwhelming daytime ...

free-running disorder (FRD)

Health care; Sleep disorder

A circadian disorder where the sleep cycle becomes disattached from the normal patterns observed by most of society, such as the rising and setting of the sun. Often afflicts blind people.

biological clock

Health care; Sleep disorder

A collection of cells that regulates an overt biological rhythm, such as the sleep/wake cycle, or some other aspect of biological timing, including reproductive cycles or hibernation. The biological ...

multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)

Health care; Sleep disorder

A common sleep test given at sleep labs in the diagnosis of sleep disorders. The multiple sleep latency test records brain waves (via EEG), heart rate (via EKG), muscle activity and eye movements. ...

obesity-hypoventilation syndrome

Health care; Sleep disorder

A condition related to obstructive sleep apnea in which a very obese person does not breathe sufficient air during sleep or while awake. Also called Pickwickian syndrome