Sleep Disorder: Glossary of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Glossary Of Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Sleep apnea syndrome - Breathing difficulties that disrupt sleep, causing daytime sleepiness and a number of other problems.

Narcolepsy - A sleep disorder involving excessive sleepiness and overpowering urge to sleep during waking hours.

Uremia - Build-up of waste products in the blood because of poor kidney function 

Anemia - Low level of hemoglobin, the substance that carries oxygen in the blood 

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) - is a sensory disorder causing an almost irresistible urge to move the legs, due to unpleasant feelings in the legs that occur when at rest.

Dopamine - It is a type of neurotransmitter that is important in for performing balanced and controlling and balancing movements. A shortage of this chemical may lead to a loss of control in movements, such as those characteristic of Parkinson disease.

Sleep hygiene - the life style modifications adopted to achieve good sleep

Insomnia - The perception of disturbed or non-restorative sleep.

Caffeine - A substance present in coffee and cocoa products, which is a stimulant and hence suppresses sleep

NREM sleep - The Non Rapid Eye Movement sleep of a sleep cycle. It has four stages. It alternates with Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.

Excessive sleepiness - refers to daytime sleepiness where a person is expected to be alert.