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Irregular sleep-wake syndrome

Description

Irregular sleep-wake syndrome is associated with continually changing periods of sleeping and being awake. This disorder is most likely to affect ship workers or people traveling across several timezones. For some, this disorder occurs when their body’s internal clock becomes confused, not sure of when to feel sleepy and when to stay awake.

Diagnosis

Patients complain of either insomnia or excessive sleepiness. They will typically have three different abnormal instances of being sleep during the day. For this reason, sufferers may actually be getting an appropriate amount of sleep for someone their age. The problem is the sleep they are getting is not as restful as it should be because it comes at different times everyday.

Treatment

Sufferers are encouraged to try and establish a regular sleep schedule. This generally only requires proper sleep hygiene, which involves avoidance of alcohol and caffeine and regular exercise. In some cases, prescription drugs may be used to adjust a person’s sleep schedule.

Source: Adapted from International Classification of Sleep Disorders Diagnostic & Coding Manual, American Academy of Sleep Medicine.