Glossary

Glossary

a. Menstruation: The monthly period or menstrual bleeding. During menstruation, the extra blood and tissue that built up inside the uterus during the menstrual cycle is expelled through the vagina, usually over a period of 3-7 days.

b. Menopause: The last menstrual period or end of menstruation. The average age of menopause is 50. After menopause, a woman can no longer become pregnant

c. Sleep Apnea Syndrome:  Breathing difficulties that disrupt sleep, causing daytime sleepiness and a number of other problems.

d. Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI): Number of abnormal respiratory events per hour of sleep.  

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

f. 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

g. Sleep Hygiene: the life style modifications adopted to achieve good sleep.

h. Hypersomnia - Excessive daytime sleepiness in addition to prolonged nocturnal sleep.

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

j. Excessive Sleepiness: refers to daytime sleepiness where a person is expected to be alert.

k. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: is a sleep disorder that causes repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs resulting in disturbance of sleep.