Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder that disrupts sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect as many as 18 million people, though most are undiagnosed. People with sleep apnea experience a partial or complete obstruction of air flow through the airway. There are pauses in breathing that can last for as long as 90 seconds. During such pauses oxygen levels in the blood drop. There can be as many as 20 to 60 of these “apneic” events an hour, causing arousals from sleep as breathing is resumed.

People with sleep apnea are at increased risk for hypertension, heart attack and stroke. This disorder has also been associated with diabetes, memory problems, impotence, morning headaches, heartburn and excessive nighttime urination.

There are three types of sleep apnea:

1. Obstructive (OSA)- The most common form of the disorder; caused by blockage of the airway when the muscle and soft tissue in the throat sag during sleep.
2. Central – Occurs because the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
3. Mixed – A combination of obstructive and central.

Causes
The primary cause of sleep apnea is excessive weight gain. Though secondary, age is another important factor. In both cases, when muscle mass decreases in the airway, it may be replaced with fat, leaving the airway narrow and soft. Men are at greater risk for sleep apnea. Male hormones can cause structural changes in the upper airway. Other predisposing causes of sleep apnea include:

• Being Overweight / Obesity.
• Anatomic abnormalities, such as a receding chin.
• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids, the main causes of sleep apnea in children.
• Family history of sleep apnea, although no genetic inheritance pattern has been proven.
• Use of alcohol and sedative drugs, which relax the musculature in the surrounding upper airway.
• Smoking, which can cause inflammation, swelling, and narrowing of the upper airway.
• Hypothyroidism, acromegaly, amyloidosis, vocal cord paralysis, post-polio syndrome, neuromuscular disorders, Marfan's syndrome, and Down syndrome.
• Nasal congestion.
  

INSOMNIA
Insomnia is characterized by four symptoms. Those symptoms are difficulty falling asleep, waking frequently during sleep, waking too early and difficulty falling back to sleep, and waking feeling un-refreshed. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 2005 Sleep in America poll, about one-half of America’s adults say they frequently experience at least one symptom of insomnia, which is more prevalent among women than men (57% vs. 51%).

Causes
Insomnia is the inability to get enough sleep to feel good the next day, or get good quality sleep that is deep, restorative and uninterrupted. Insomnia is assessed as being acute, chronic or primary. Acute insomnia lasts less than one month; chronic insomnia occurs consistently for one month or longer and is likely to be associated with an underlying medical or psychological condition; primary insomnia is often lifelong and occurs without an underlying cause. When acute insomnia is not addressed, poor sleep can become a habit; the insomniac continually expects that they will have difficulty sleeping, a vicious cycle occurs, and insomnia can become long term.

RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME

Description
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a neurological movement disorder, is often referred to as the most common medical problem you have never heard of. It affects an estimated 12 million adults, usually those in middle age, but it may first appear in children as growing pains. It is more prevalent in women than men, often first appearing during pregnancy.

National Sleep Foundation’s 2003 Sleep in America poll found 17 percent of adults 55-84 reported symptoms of RLS, which include unpleasant feelings in the legs and an urge to move them; the unpleasant feelings are often described as tingling, pulling, creeping or a nervousness in the limbs and are more prevalent in the evening and at night, resulting in disrupted sleep.

Many RLS sufferers also experience periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) during the night, a jerking or kicking of the legs making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This results in sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness for the individual, but also disturbs the sleep of a bed partner.

Causes
There is a positive family history of RLS in about one-half of those diagnosed. Anemia or low iron levels have been found to be contributors.