Molly z.'s Sleep Disorders FAQ Page 4

Index

Section one

PLMD personal experiences including family history, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

FAQ
will give you a good start in learning more about sleep disorders, including some types, causes and treatment.

Odds and Ends includes my opinions about PLMD and miscellaneous.

Section two

Answer my Sleep Poll and also see the results so far.

Section three

Links to sleep disorder websites plus a short list of books I found at the local library when learning more about sleep disorders. [Not for sale - these are listed for your reference purposes only!]

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6. Q. Does someone with Seasonal Affective Disorder ever experience sleep problems?

A. Yes, there are some disorders, including SAD, that may affect or cause changes in usual sleep patterns.

7. Q. I have painful cramps in my legs when in bed at night. Is this a sleep disorder?

A. Leg cramps are usually due to pain in the muscles of the legs, so this is not a sleep disorder. The pain can probably be alleviated by stretching exercises. You may want to discuss this with your doctor.
(A very few people may have low calcium, potassium or sodium levels or even renal failure, but for most of us this is not the case.)
Restless legs syndrome includes the need to move the legs while awake, and a creepy, crawly feeling in the the legs is a frequent symptom. See the Links page for sites with more info about RLS.

8. Q. I have just been diagnosed as hypothyroid. I'm always tired, and I even fall asleep during the day, when I want to stay awake! Is it possible that I could also have a sleep disorder?

A. Hypothyroid symptoms include lack of energy and feeling very tired, but apparently sleep apnea sometimes does occur in hypothyroid people. Discuss this with your doctor if it concerns you.
Also - levothyroxine (Synthroid and other brands of thyroid hormone replacement) can take a few weeks to have an effect on hypothyroid symptoms, so you may feel less tired after taking the medication for awhile.

If you have an interest in thyroid conditions, especially goiter, thyroid cyst or hyperthyroid disorders visit my Molly b.'s Thyroid Pages area.

A thyroid related note: apparently beta blockers such as Propranolol (prescribed for some medical conditions, including hyperthyroidism - especially Graves' Disease) may cause nightmares.

Not thyroid related: Low sugar levels may cause drowsiness. A meal consisting of protein along with problem-causing carbohydrates may help to alleviate this condition.

9. Q. What treatments are there for a sleep disorder?

A. Depending upon the diagnosis, and the specific sleep disorder, treatment may involve one or more of the following

1.    medication (sleeping pills, antidepressants)
2.    appliances (for sleep apnea, bruxism)
3.    changes in routine (a regular schedule for sleeping and waking)
4.    changes in diet (reducing intake of alcohol and caffeine and other stimulants)
5.    avoidance of stress
6.    a regular exercise program (not too close to bedtime!)
7.    weight reduction
8.    psychotherapy
9.    light therapy (for SAD)
10. surgery (for sleep apnea)

10. Q. Do you have any personal tips for a good sleep?

A. Several years ago, I needed to take sleeping pills for awhile. The doctor suggested that I drink a glass of milk with the sleeping pill. He explained that I would associate the glass of milk with going to sleep, and eventually not need a sleeping pill at all. It worked, and I've rarely needed sleeping pills since.
[I've read that milk contains tryptophan, which can cause drowsiness. I am not a believer in 'natural' or 'alternative' remedies except for serious illnesses that cannot yet be cured by modern day medicine/science. This sleeping aid is one of the few natural remedies I personally recommend]

Some people are prone to having nightmares if they eat foods containing sugar within a couple of hours before going to sleep. (I am). I believe this has something to do with rapidly falling blood sugar levels. Sugary foods may cause this problem in a completely healthy person - these occurances do not indicate that someone has hypoglycemia or diabetes.

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