Neurological Sleep Disorders

Each neurological sleep disorder has its own set of symptoms. However, some share symptoms.

Insomnia

Symptoms of insomnia include: 

• difficulty falling asleep (onset insomnia) or staying asleep (maintenance insomnia) for 7 to 9 hours more than 3 times per week

• waking up too early

• waking up not feeling refreshed

• feeling tired throughout the day

• irritability throughout the day

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are neurological sleep disorders that come with unusual sleep behaviours. These behaviours can vary in their severity and frequency. 

Symptoms of the more well-known types of parasomnias, also known as non-REM parasomnias, include: 

• confusion arousals (short sleep interruptions where you wake up and feel confused)

• sleepwalking

• night terrors (screaming during sleep)

• sexsomnia (initiating sex while you’re asleep)

• exploding head syndrome (hearing explosions or loud crashing sounds in your sleep)

• hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t really there)

• sleep paralysis (being unable to move or speak temporarily as you fall asleep or wake up)

• sleep talking

• nightmare disorder (having regular, distressing nightmares)

REM sleep behaviour disorder

REM sleep behaviour disorder is similar to non-REM parasomnias. However, it’s characterised by movement or noises while you’re in REM sleep, the stage of sleep most closely associated with dreaming. 

If you have REM sleep behaviour disorder, you may do the following while you’re asleep: 

• punch

• kick

• laugh

• shout

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a rare and affects about 1 in 2000 people in the UK. Symptoms include: 

• excessive daytime sleepiness

• feeling drowsy

• sleep attacks (suddenly falling asleep without warning)

• sleep paralysis

• hallucinations

• cataplexy (the sudden loss of muscle control)

Circadian rhythm disorders or sleep-wake cycle disorder

Circadian rhythm disorders, or sleep-wake cycle disorder, occur when your body's internal clock, which tells you what time to sleep or wake up, is out of sync with your environment. Symptoms are very similar to those associated with insomnia.

The cause of a neurological sleep disorder varies depending on the exact type of disorder.

Insomnia causes

Insomnia is usually caused by:

• stress

• anxiety

• depression

• legal substances such as alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine

• illegal substances such as ecstasy or cocaine

• jet lag 

• working shifts

• noise

• temperature

Parasomnias causes

While there’s still a debate around what causes parasomnias, research suggests they occur as your brain enters mixed stages of sleep.

REM sleep behaviour disorder causes

This disorder is caused by an issue in the area of your brain that sends information down your spine and to your muscles. 

Narcolepsy causes

Narcolepsy is believed to be caused by a lack of a brain chemical called hypocretin, which regulates sleep.

Circadian rhythm disorders/sleep-wake cycle disorder causes

The most common causes of this disorder include brain wave activity, hormone production, and cell regeneration, which are linked to your sleep cycle. Many additional factors can change your sleep routine, such as medication, routine changes, and travelling by plane.

You’ll first see your sleep specialist, who’ll ask you about your medical history and symptoms. They may also conduct a physical examination. 

However, to make an accurate diagnosis, they’ll likely ask you to take a sleep study. Sleep studies monitor various data points — such as your breathing, heart rate, and eye movements — while you sleep, usually over the course of 1 night. The results can help your consultant identify any neurological sleep disorders. What a sleep study involves varies, but there’s an is an option for it to be performed at home. Your consultant will recommend the most appropriate study based on your symptoms.

Once they have the results of the study, they’ll be able to offer the most effective treatments for you.

It’s not possible to prevent all neurological sleep disorders, as experts don’t know the exact cause of all conditions. However, there are steps you can take to improve your sleep habits:

• go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends

• avoid consuming caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, and any other stimulants close to bedtime

• try not to nap in the daytime

• exercise regularly in the daytime and don’t do intense exercise close to bedtime

• avoid eating a large meal just before bed

• make your sleeping environment as cool, dark, quiet, and comfortable as possible

Your treatment options will vary depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms. Your consultant will also aim to treat any underlying conditions that are causing or contributing to your condition. However, in general, treatment may involve:

• lifestyle and sleep habit changes

• medication

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• light therapy

At Welbeck, our sleep specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.