Sleep Regulation and Insomnia

For years, the subject of sleep failed to generate much interest from either the field of medicine or that of psychology - a curious fact, as a 60-year-old has spent some 20 years out of those 60 sleeping. In fact, up until the age of approximately 3 years, a child spends more time asleep than awake. It would be an extraordinary evolutionary oversight if this phenomenon of sleep, which is seen in virtually all organisms, did not have an important and vital function (McNamara, Evolution of sleep phylogenetic and functional perspectives. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2009). The consequences of sleep deprivation make themselves known by interfering with our emotional and cognitive functioning on the following day, when one may also experience the imperative nature of sleep, sometimes at very inconvenient moments

Sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Part II: Prevention and treatment strategies

SummaryThe present review deals with preventive and treatment strategies for sleep and wake disorders, and the other problems of shift workers. Management must take into account the direction, speed and other parameters of the rotation schedule. Good sleep-wake hygiene may alleviate the problems. Further, additional napping may compensate – at least partially – for sleep deprivation and fatigue. Hypnotics must be avoided as much as possible. Finally, new techniques for manipulation of circadian rhythms are discussed: light, melatonin and benzodiazepines.</jats:p

Sleep regulation and insomnia

For years, the subject of sleep failed to generate much interest from either the field of medicine or that of psychology - a curious fact, as a 60-year-old has spent some 20 years out of those 60 sleeping. In fact, up until the age of approximately three years, a child spends more time asleep than awake. It would be an extraordinary evolutionary oversight if this phenomenon of sleep, which is seen in virtually all organisms, did not have an important and vital function (McNamara 2009). The consequences of sleep deprivation make themselves known by interfering with our emotional and cognitive functioning on the following day, when one may also experience the imperative nature of sleep, sometimes at very inconvenient moments (Cluydts 2003)

Sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Part I: Prevalence, clinical phenomena and pathogenesis

SummaryThe present review summarizes the prevalence, clinical phenomena, and pathogenesis of sleep and wake disorders in shift workers. Insomnia and hyper-somnolence occur in more than 50% of shift workers, mainly in association with the night shift. Circadian rhythm disruption is the major determinant of these disorders. Furthermore they are frequently associated with psycho-social problems and somatic diseases. In more than 20% of the shift workers problems are so pronounced, that they fail to adapt to the rotating schedules. This is defined as ‘shift maladaptation syndrome’.</jats:p

Fatigue, sleepiness and sleep quality perception, in day, night and shift workers.

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishe