Sleep Terrors
Running head: PROJECT 1 - SLEEP DISORDERS
Sleep Terrors Table of Contents
Introduction p 3
Body p 3 Definition p 3 Overview p 3 Diagnosis p 5 Symptoms p 5 Treatment, Prognosis, and Prevention p 6 Role of the Polysomnographic Technologist p 7
Polysomnograpic Record p 8
Summary/Conclusion p 9
References p 10 Sleep Terrors
Sleep terrors are commonly known by a few terms, including sleep terrors, night terrors, sleep terror disorder, and pavor nocturnus. The person having a sleep terror will awaken from a dream crying or screaming, which may last for minutes. The person is difficult to awaken and confused. There is no recollection of the dream once awake. Sometimes the person can be violent by swinging their fists or punching. This paper will look in depth at sleep terrors and give a concise review of the causes, prevalence, treatment, symptoms, and safety measures in the sleep lab when dealing with sleep terrors. (Narcolepsy Association UK, 2003)
Definition
The definition of sleep terrors is “a sleep disorder involving abrupt awakening from sleep in a terrified state” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005, p.1). “The cause is unknown but night terrors are commonly associated with periods of emotional tension, stress, or conflict” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005).
Overview
To understand sleep terrors, you first need to understand normal sleep patterns. “Normal sleep cycles involve distinct stages from light drowsiness to deep sleep” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005, p. 1). These include REM and non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep involves four stages. The normal sleeping person will have several cycles of REM and non-REM sleep through the night. Night terrors occur during deep sleep, which occurs during stages 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep, beginning approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep (Connelly, 2003) and they generally have a duration of 10 to 20 minutes. The patient usually screams in panic,
Sleep Terrors Table of Contents
Introduction p 3
Body p 3 Definition p 3 Overview p 3 Diagnosis p 5 Symptoms p 5 Treatment, Prognosis, and Prevention p 6 Role of the Polysomnographic Technologist p 7
Polysomnograpic Record p 8
Summary/Conclusion p 9
References p 10 Sleep Terrors
Sleep terrors are commonly known by a few terms, including sleep terrors, night terrors, sleep terror disorder, and pavor nocturnus. The person having a sleep terror will awaken from a dream crying or screaming, which may last for minutes. The person is difficult to awaken and confused. There is no recollection of the dream once awake. Sometimes the person can be violent by swinging their fists or punching. This paper will look in depth at sleep terrors and give a concise review of the causes, prevalence, treatment, symptoms, and safety measures in the sleep lab when dealing with sleep terrors. (Narcolepsy Association UK, 2003)
Definition
The definition of sleep terrors is “a sleep disorder involving abrupt awakening from sleep in a terrified state” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005, p.1). “The cause is unknown but night terrors are commonly associated with periods of emotional tension, stress, or conflict” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005).
Overview
To understand sleep terrors, you first need to understand normal sleep patterns. “Normal sleep cycles involve distinct stages from light drowsiness to deep sleep” (Kiriakopoulos, 2005, p. 1). These include REM and non-REM sleep. Non-REM sleep involves four stages. The normal sleeping person will have several cycles of REM and non-REM sleep through the night. Night terrors occur during deep sleep, which occurs during stages 3 and 4 of non-REM sleep, beginning approximately 90 minutes after falling asleep (Connelly, 2003) and they generally have a duration of 10 to 20 minutes. The patient usually screams in panic,
References: Connelly, K. (2005, October). Night Terrors. eMedicineHealth. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/night_terrors/article_em.htm Guilleminault, C., Palumbini, B., Pelayo, R., & Chervin, R. (2003). Sleep walking and sleep terrors in prepubertal children: what triggers them? Pediatrics, 111(1), e17-e25. Kiriakopoulos, E. (2005, October). All Refer.com Health. Retrieved February 13, 2007, from http://health.allrefer.com/health/night-terror-info.html Narcolepsy Association UK. Sleep Terrors Disorder. (2003, July). Retrieved February 13, 2007, from http://psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/sleep_terrors_disorder.htm Sheth, K. (2005, July). Night Terror. Medline Plus. Retrieved February 12, 2007, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000809.htm