Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center


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Specific Disorders

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Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center

Specific Disorders

What's keeping you from a good night's sleep?

   

Insomnia
Insomnia can manifest in a number of ways including difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep or waking up too early. There are three types of insomnia – transient insomnia which lasts only for a few nights; short-term insomnia which lasts for two or three weeks; and chronic insomnia in which poor sleep lasts three weeks or longer.

The most common symptoms of insomnia are sleeplessness, anxiety, impaired memory, irritability, and impaired concentration.

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disruption of breathing during sleep in which there are brief periods throughout the night when breathing stops. People with sleep apnea do not get enough oxygen and have inadequate sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type and is due to an obstruction in the throat during sleep. There could be many causes of the blockage including tongue, tonsils, and fatty tissue in the throat or relaxed throat muscles.

Central sleep apnea is very rare and is caused by an interrupted or delayed signal from the brain to breathe.

The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are loud snoring, waking up and feeling unrefreshed, having trouble staying awake during the day, waking up with headaches, waking up during the night and feeling like you are choking, and sexual problems.

Narcolepsy
People with narcolepsy experience the irresistible need to sleep no matter how much sleep they get at night. They may fall asleep while working, talking or driving a car. These sleep attacks can last from 30 seconds to more than 30 minutes. Some people with narcolepsy may also have cataplexy, a sudden decrease in muscle control, which is usually associated with strong emotions such as anger or laughter.

Some of the most common symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive sleepiness; a temporary decrease or loss of muscle control associated with strong emotion; vivid dreams when drifting off to sleep or waking up; and waking up and being unable to move or talk for a short time.

Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a discomfort in the legs when people are sitting or lying still, especially at bedtime. Persons with RLS feel the constant need to stretch or move their legs which prevents them from falling asleep

Symptoms are most likely to occur while riding in a car or airplane, watching television, reading, lying in bed trying to fall asleep, or during periods of inactivity, especially while sitting (at work, for example).

Pediatric and adolescent sleep disorders

Sleep Lab Patient with Staff

Pediatric sleep disorders are very common, occurring in up to 30 percent of children, with significant adverse impact upon the child and/or the entire family. All of the sleep disorders that affect adults have a pediatric counterpart. The most common problems are of the sleep/wake schedule (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or inability to sleep at desired times). Infants and children also suffer from sleep apnea. Narcolepsy typically begins in adolescence and may affect younger children. Unusual motor behavior during sleep may result from night terrors, sleepwalking or nocturnal seizures.

 

Contact Information

We now offer expanded appointment availability and accept patient self-referrals. A physician's referral
is not required for an initial consultative assessment or for routine follow-up care. (Some insurance plans may require an insurance authorization before scheduling.)

Call 612-873-6201 or 1-800-343-6774 to schedule a clinic appointment.