Dictionary

parasomnia: Any type of sleep disorder such as sleepwalking, sleep-eating, sleep sex, bruxism, night terrors, rhythmic movement disorder, REM behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome and somniloquy.

periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD): A sleep disorder where the patient moves limbs involuntarily during sleep.

polysomnogram: A multi-channel recording during sleep that can be used to detect sleep disorders.

rapid eye movement behavior disorder: A sleep disorder involving dissociation of the characteristic stages of sleep.

rapid eye movement (REM) sleep: A normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes.

restless leg syndrome (RLS): A sleep disorder that is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one’s legs.

rhythmic movement disorder: A condition characterized by repetitive banging or rocking motions just before and during light sleep.

shift work sleep disorder: A circadian rhythm sleep disorder which can affect people who change their work or sleep schedules frequently or work long-term on abnormal work shifts.

sleep apnea: A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.

sleep eating: Disorder where someone experiences recurrent episodes of eating during their sleep without being aware of it.

sleep disorder: A medical disorder in a person’s (or animal’s) sleeping patterns.

sleep sex: A problem that causes people to commit sexual acts while they sleep.

snoring: Loud breathing patterns during sleep.

somnambulism: Also known as sleepwalking, occurs when someone engages in activities that are associated with wakefulness while he or she is asleep or in a sleeplike state.

somniloquy: Also known as sleep talking, this is a disorder characterized by talking aloud in one’s sleep.