Sleep Disorders for Dummies (Paperback)

~ (Author), Patricia B. Smith (Author), William C. Dement (Foreword)
Key Phrases: other parasomnias, pediatric sleep disorders, secondary insomnia, Everything You Need, Couldn't Sleep, Other Troubling Dyssomnias (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

When the last dinner dishes have been put away and the evening news is over, most of us think about going to bed. But for the millions who suffer from a chronic sleep disorder, going to bed doesn’t necessarily mean going to sleep. And for millions more who experience occasional sleep disturbances, nighttime might not be such a picnic, either.

Now there’s an easy-to-follow guide to help you get a good night’s rest.  Sleep Disorders For Dummies is for anyone who has trouble sleeping--or has a loved one who suffers from a sleep disorder. Written by a sleep specialist and a medical reporter, this no-nonsense guide helps you:

• Prevent and manage sleep disorders
• Improve your sleep habits
• Find relief from your symptoms
• Ask your doctor the right questions
• Enhance the quality of sleep

This fact-packed guide walks you through the different types of sleep disorders, includin g sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome. You’ll discover the causes and symptoms of each disorder, the various medical conditions that can disrupt sleep, and the most common treatments. Plus, you’ll see how to use good nutrition and exercise to promote sounder sleep and avoid known sleep disrupters such as caffeine and problem foods. The authors also give you solid, reassuring advice on:

• Finding the right doctor to diagnose and treat your sleep disorder
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Turning your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary
• Choosing between the different types of sleep clinics
• Handling sleep disorders in children

Featuring savvy tips on preventing jet lag, sleeping well if you work the night shift, and getting kids to bed without fuss, Sleep Disorders for Dummies will help you get your zzzzzzzzs!

From the Back Cover

Covers insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless legs

Improve your sleep habits, manage stress, and get your zzzzzzzzs

Can’t sleep? Not sleeping soundly? This reassuring guide offers solid advice on the different sleep disorders and what you can do to get a good night’s rest. From narcolepsy to night terrors, you’ll see how to prevent and manage sleep problems and get proper treatment. There are also savvy tips on preventing jet lag and getting kids to bed without fuss.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to:

• Get an accurate diagnosis
• Find relief from your symptoms
• Locate a sleep lab
• Handle your child’s sleep disorder
• Turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (May 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764539019
• ISBN-13: 978-0764539015
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,656 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Non Sleep Inducing, October 23, 2005

By	Fred N. Bush "mrfnb" (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book "Sleep Disorders for Dummies" is like the other Dummies books in that it takes a rather difficult subject and makes it a easy for a normal person to understand. It fairly completely (at least for non medical professionals) covers the range of sleep problems from Insomnia to Narcolepsy with stops at other problems like Sleep Apnea.

I was acquainted with some of the material before, but found this book to be easy to read and understand. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to know about sleep problems.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sleep deprivation can mimic mental illness., October 6, 2007

By	haskpts - See all my reviews

Excellent book, often times sleep disorders are mistaken for "mental illness" ... Schizophrenia, ADHD, OCD, Bi-Polar Disorder, Depression ... you name it.

An often overlooked point is the pre-mature babies of the world, they may tend to have a more sensitive nervous system then "normal" babies. And also "Big Babies" regardless to whether they are premature can have rather serious medical issues.

BIG BABY SYNDROME - Is sometimes used synonymously with Large For Gestational Age, or is otherwise defined as a fetus that weighs above 4000 grams (8 lb 13 oz) or 4500 grams (9 lb 15 oz) regardless of gestational age.

Also some biological problems such as a deviated septum may be responsible for some sleep disorders. Sleep apnea and other breathing problems can create havoc on daytime energy levels.

Some of the topics covered in the book:

JACTATIO CAPITIS NOCTURNA - Swinging or banging of the head before or during sleep, or in the phase between these two states.

PAVOR NOCTURNUS (Night Terror) - A night terror, also known as pavor nocturnus, is a parasomnia sleep disorder characterized by extreme terror and a temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The subject wakes abruptly from the fourth stage of sleep, with waking usually accompanied by gasping, moaning, or screaming. It is often impossible to fully awaken the person, and after the episode the subject normally settles back to sleep without waking. A night terror can occasionally be recalled by the subject. They typically occur during non-REM sleep. ... a person can always stick a voice activated tape recorder near their bed to see if any bizarre "conversations" occur at nighttime.

- Extreme sleepwalking (including moving furniture), bruxism (teeth grinding) and other behaviors can result from night terrors.

Unlike nightmares, which are frequently a scary event dream (e.g. a monster under the bed, falling to one's death, etc.), night terrors are not dreams. Usually there is no situation or event (scary or otherwise) that is dreamt, but rather the emotion of fear itself is felt. Often, this is coupled with tension and apprehension without any distinct sounds or visual imagery, although sometimes a vague object of fear is identified by the sufferer. These emotions, generally without a focusing event or scenario, increase emotions in a cumulative effect. The lack of a dream itself leaves those awakened from a night terror in a state of disorientation much more severe than that caused by a normal nightmare. This can include a short period of amnesia during which the subject may be unable to recall his name, location, age, or any other identifying features of himself. This state generally passes after only one or two minutes.

PARASOMNIAS - Is any sleep disorder such as sleepwalking, sleepeating, sleep sex, teeth grinding, night terrors, rhythmic movement disorder, REM behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome, and somniloquy (or sleep talking), characterized by partial arousals during sleep or during transitions between wakefulness and sleep. Parasomnias are often associated with stress and depression, and biological factors may also be involved. Many parasomnias are more common in children than in adults.

SOMNILOQUY (Sleep-talking) - A parasomnia that refers to talking aloud in one's sleep. It can be quite loud, ranging from simple sounds to long speeches, and can occur many times during sleep. Listeners may or may not be able to understand what the person is saying.

... Of course some of the more incompetent medical doctors have near zero knowledge about true sleep disorders. Horror stories of people with severe sleep disorders mistakenly being given "psychotropic" drugs abound. My advice is to try one of the newer generation sleep aids such as Ambien.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome information, January 11, 2007

By	Sandra Ferguson (Waller, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book was informative and easy to understand. The author seemed sensitive to the suffering of patients with sleep disorders. He seemed like the answer to long suffering. The information from the book filled in the gaps for question I've had for many years. I was so excited I decided to look up Dr.Hirshkowitz for consultation. After two over night sleep studies, Dr. Hirshkowitz is nowhere to be found,no consultation. The clinic's push is to purchase a sleep machine.