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.

Industry: Health care

Add a new term

Contributors in Sleep disorder

Become a Contributors

Sleep disorder

thalamus

Health care; Sleep disorder

A part of the brain consisting of two large ovoid structures at the base of the cerebrum. It acts as a vital relay station between the sensory nerves and the cerebral cortex.

epworth sleepiness scale

Health care; Sleep disorder

A scale indicating propensity to sleep during the day as perceived by patients. The scale was developed by researchers in Australia and is widely used by sleep professionals around the world to ...

phase advance

Health care; Sleep disorder

A shift earlier in time, for instance if someone starts going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.

phase delay

Health care; Sleep disorder

A shift later in time, for instance if one's sleep cycle moves ahead on the clock.

hypnic jerk

Health care; Sleep disorder

A startle reaction as a person falls asleep; muscle jerks like an electric shock. Normal. Everyone experiences them. Also called a sleep start or a hypnagogic jerk.

polysomnograph

Health care; Sleep disorder

A test of sleep cycles and stages through the use of continuous recordings of brain waves (EEG), electrical activity of muscles, eye movement (electrooculogram), breathing rate, blood pressure, blood ...

unihemispheric sleep

Health care; Sleep disorder

A type of sleep in which one side of the brain is asleep while the other is awake. This phenomenon is observed most notably in birds (like those that make long, transoceanic flights) and aquatic ...