Sleep Disorders Medical Reference
- Insomnia in Teens
Is your teen staying up all night, and acting tired and grumpy during the day? Teens may experience natural changes to their sleep cycle, but insomnia can be a sign of more serious health problems, too. Find out when to see your doctor.
- Anxiety vs. Insomnia
Anxiety and insomnia are connected. Learn more about them and see how you can break the cycle between them.
- Narcolepsy: Managing Your Job or School
Tips for remaining productive at work or in college when you have narcolepsy. How to manage symptoms, be flexible, and approach supervisors or professors.
- What Are Orexins?
Orexins are chemicals in your brain that help your body stay awake. When you have narcolepsy, you don’t have enough neurons that make orexins.
- Getting Support for Narcolepsy
You’ve been diagnosed with narcolepsy. It’s likely you’ll be making some lifestyle changes, and you might need help doing that. Here are ways to get support you need.
- Can You Drive With Narcolepsy?
What you need to know about driving safely when you have narcolepsy.
- How to Stay Healthy With Narcolepsy
A healthy lifestyle that includes sleep, exercise, and a good diet can help manage symptoms of narcolepsy and the risks that come along with it.
- Conditions You May Have Along With Narcolepsy
If you have narcolepsy, you may also have other conditions.
- Sleep Attacks: What You Should Know
Sleep attacks are the most obvious symptom of narcolepsy. They can make life difficult and dangerous, but you can control them with medication and lifestyle changes.
- The Cost of Narcolepsy
Treating and managing a sleep disorder can be expensive. But there are ways to hold costs down. Learn more about the cost of narcolepsy.
- Narcolepsy and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Narcolepsy is unlikely to cause any problems with your pregnancy or delivery. But you may need to make changes to your medications and get extra help so you can get all the rest you need.
- Narcolepsy and Potential Complications
Narcolepsy has many potential effects beyond falling asleep suddenly at any time. Learn about these complications and ways to cope.
- Kids and Narcolepsy: How to Manage School
Narcolepsy makes it hard to stay awake in school, pay attention, and complete assignments. But parents can take action to set their kids up for success.
- Narcolepsy and Your Weight
What’s the link between narcolepsy and weight gain? What steps can you take to manage it?
- Lack of Sleep and Learning Difficulties: What You Need to Know
Could a student’s lack of sleep cause learning difficulties, or are their learning difficulties making it hard for them to get a good night’s sleep? Kids with learning challenges like ADHD or dyslexia often have trouble sleeping. Lack of sleep can make it harder for students to concentrate and get through the school day too. Find out how good sleep habits can improve grades.
- Narcolepsy and Mental Health
People with narcolepsy may also have mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Learn more about the link between narcolepsy and your mental health.
- Narcolepsy vs. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: What’s the Difference?
They have a lot of symptoms in common, but narcolepsy and chronic fatigue can cause different problems and require different treatments. So it’s important to get the right diagnosis.
- Things Narcolepsy May Look Like but Isn’t
Narcolepsy is rare and has the same symptoms as many other more common conditions. That’s why up to 60% of people with narcolepsy may get the wrong diagnosis at first.
- Narcolepsy vs. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What’s the Difference?
What’s the difference between narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea? These two sleep disorders may have some similar symptoms and effects on your daily life, but they’re different in important ways too. Find out the common signs of narcolepsy and sleep apnea and why you may have both conditions.
- Caffeine Pills: What to Know
Find out more about caffeine pills: if they work, if they’re addictive, and how to take them safely.
- Narcolepsy vs. Insomnia: What's the Difference?
Both narcolepsy and insomnia can make you feel sleepy during the day. How can you tell these two sleep disorders apart?
- Narcolepsy Causes and Risks
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that makes you extremely sleepy during the day. Find out what puts you at risk of getting this condition.
- What Is a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)?
A multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) is a sleep study that looks at how fast you fall asleep during the day when you should be awake. Find out what the results can mean for your health.
- Could Your Partner Have a Sleep Disorder?
There are a number of warning signs and symptoms of sleep disorders that you might notice in your partner. Find out more about what they are and what to do about them.
- Narcolepsy: How You Can Help Yourself
Lifestyle changes are an important part of treatment for narcolepsy. Learn how you can help yourself beyond medicine.
- What to Know About Calcification of the Pineal Gland
What causes calcification of the pineal gland and what effects does it have on your health? Learn how to decalcify your pineal gland for proper functioning.
- Home Sleep Tests: What to Know
A home sleep test is a simple and affordable way to figure out if you have sleep apnea. Find out what it looks for, what to expect, and how to get one.
- The Link Between Obesity and Sleep Problems
If you have trouble sleeping, it can cause you to gain weight. But if you are obese or overweight, it can cause sleep problems. Learn about what you can do to break the sleep-obesity cycle.
- What Is Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome?
Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a condition that falls somewhere between snoring and sleep apnea. Learn more about treatments and lifestyle measures that can help you manage your UARS symptoms.
- What to Know About Over-the-Counter Sleep Medications
WebMD explores over-the-counter sleep medications. Learn more about how they work and if they’re safe.
- What to Know About Vastu Sleeping Direction
Find out what you need to know about sleeping direction according to Vastu Shastra principles. Discover how sleeping direction may impact your health.
- What Are Hypnagogic Hallucinations?
Learn about hypnagogic hallucination and why you may be seeing things as you fall asleep.
- What Is Idiopathic Hypersomnia?
People with idiopathic hypersomnia feel sleepy all the time, even after a full night’s rest. Learn more about this rare condition.
- Treating Idiopathic Hypersomnia
You don't have to suffer with symptoms. Your health care team can help you find treatments that work for you.
- How Doctors Diagnose Idiopathic Hypersomnia
Special tests can tell your doctors if you have this rare condition.
- Breathing Techniques for Sleep
Learn more about breathing exercises and how they can help you sleep better.
- What Is Revenge Bedtime Procrastination?
After a busy day, do you stay up late for some leisure time instead of going to bed a reasonable hour? If you’re in the habit of doing that, it could be a sign of revenge bedtime procrastination.
- Remedies for Insomnia
Learn about home remedies that can help you overcome your insomnia, improve the quality of your sleep, and practice better sleep habits.
- Why Can't I Stay Asleep?
Insomnia is a common reason why you wake up at night, but it’s not the only one. Pain, stress, food, and where you sleep can all stop you from getting your needed shut-eye.
- What to Know About OTC Sleep Aids for Insomnia
If you can’t sleep and are looking for a nonprescription solution, can over-the-counter sleep aids help you?
- When to Get Help for Overnight Awakening
Sometimes it isn’t getting to sleep that’s hard, it’s staying asleep. Find out what causes you to wake up overnight, what you can do about it, and when to talk with your doctor.
- Is It a Few Bad Nights or Insomnia?
Are your sleep issues a temporary problem or insomnia? Find out how to know the difference and what you can do to get back to restful nights.
- White Noise, Pink Noise, and Brown Noise: What's the Difference?
You might have heard of white noise and its effect on sleep. But have you heard of other color noises like pink or brown noise? Learn more about their effects on you.
- Narcolepsy and Sleep Habits
Good sleep is important for good health. That’s especially true if you have narcolepsy. Here are some tips for how to get a good night’s rest, and how to manage during the day.
- How to Find the Best Narcolepsy Medication for You
It takes time to find the right medications to treat your symptoms of narcolepsy. Here’s what you need to know to find the drug or drugs that work best for you.
- Different Types of Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a very rare brain disorder that can lead to uncontrollable daytime drowsiness. Find out about the different types of the condition and what causes them.
- Can You Sleep With Your Eyes Open?
While you can sleep with your eyes open, it’s most likely a sign of a health problem. Find out what causes people to sleep with their eyes open and the symptoms, risks, and treatments of this condition.
- What to Know About Microsleep
What should you know about microsleep? Learn about the dangers of these short periods of sleep, what causes microsleep, and how to prevent it.
- Do Bamboo Pillows Have Health Benefits?
Fibers from bamboo, a fast-growing plant, are turning up in clothing, bedding, building materials, and other goods, including pillows. Find out if they are helpful for allergies and better sleep.
- Wedge Pillows
Wedge pillows are special pillows that lift the top half of your body while you sleep. If you have health issues like acid reflux or sleep apnea, they just may be your ticket to a better night’s rest.