Dictionary of sleep medicine

A Journal of Insomnia - A journal that focuses on research, diagnosis, and treatment of insomnia.
Advanced sleep phase disorder - A sleep disorder in which an individual's sleep-wake cycle is advanced by a few hours.
African trypanosomiasis - A parasitic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly that can cause disruption of the sleep-wake cycle.
American Sleep Apnea Association - A non-profit organization that aims to improve the lives of those affected by sleep apnea.
Athens insomnia scale - A tool used to measure the severity of insomnia.
Automatic behavior - A parasomnia characterized by performing complex behaviors during sleep, with no memory of doing so upon waking.
Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy - A genetic disorder that can cause seizures during sleep.
Bedwetting alarm - A device used to help children overcome bedwetting.
Bruxism - A sleep disorder characterized by teeth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep.
Canadian Sleep Society - A non-profit organization that focuses on promoting research and education on sleep disorders in Canada.
Cataplexy - A symptom of narcolepsy characterized by sudden and temporary loss of muscle control.
Catathrenia - A sleep disorder characterized by prolonged groaning or moaning during sleep.
Central sleep apnea - A sleep disorder in which breathing stops and starts during sleep due to the brain not sending proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Chronotherapy (sleep phase) - A technique used to adjust the sleep-wake cycle by gradually shifting the sleep schedule.
Circadian rhythm sleep disorder - A sleep disorder caused by a misalignment between an individual's internal biological clock and the external environment.
Clinical sleep educator - A healthcare professional who educates patients on sleep disorders and how to improve sleep hygiene.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia - A type of therapy that aims to improve sleep habits and address underlying psychological factors contributing to insomnia.
Delayed sleep phase disorder - A sleep disorder in which an individual's sleep-wake cycle is delayed by a few hours.
Dyssomnia - A broad term used to describe various sleep disorders that affect the quantity or quality of sleep.
EMG noun a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions
Epworth Sleepiness Scale - A tool used to measure daytime sleepiness.
European Sleep Apnea Database - A database of information on sleep apnea patients in Europe.
Excessive daytime sleepiness - A symptom of various sleep disorders characterized by persistent drowsiness and fatigue during the day.
Exploding head syndrome - A parasomnia characterized by hearing loud noises during sleep that may sound like explosions or gunshots.
False awakening - A parasomnia characterized by a person believing they are awake when they are actually still dreaming.
Fatal familial insomnia - A rare genetic disorder that causes progressively worsening insomnia and other symptoms.
Hypersomnia - A sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day.
Hypnagogia - The transitional state between wakefulness and sleep, characterized by vivid sensory experiences.
Hypnic jerk - A common phenomenon in which a person experiences a sudden muscle twitch or jerk as they are falling asleep.
Hypnophobia - A fear or anxiety of falling asleep.
Hypnopompic - The transitional state between sleep and wakefulness, characterized by vivid sensory experiences.
Hypopnea - A sleep disorder characterized by shallow breathing during sleep.
ICSD. International classification of sleep disorders
Idiopathic hypersomnia - A sleep disorder characterized by excessive sleepiness and prolonged sleep duration.
Insomnia - A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep.
International Classification of Sleep Disorders - A manual used to diagnose sleep disorders and standardize their classification.
Irregular sleep–wake rhythm - A sleep disorder characterized by a disrupted sleep-wake cycle with no set pattern.
Jet lag - A temporary sleep disorder caused by traveling across multiple time zones, resulting in a mismatch between an individual's internal biological clock and the external environment.
Kleine–Levin syndrome - A rare sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness and altered behavior.
MWT. See Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
Middle-of-the-night insomnia - A type of insomnia characterized by waking up in the middle of the night and having difficulty falling back asleep.
Morvan’s syndrome - A rare sleep disorder characterized by muscle stiffness, twitching, and cramps during sleep.
NREM sleep noun a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time
NREM noun a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time
Narcolepsy - A sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and other symptoms.
National Sleep Foundation - A non-profit organization that aims to improve public health and safety by promoting healthy sleep habits.
Night sweats - A sleep disorder characterized by excessive sweating during sleep.
Night terror - A parasomnia characterized by sudden awakening from sleep with intense fear or panic.
Nightmare disorder - A sleep disorder characterized by recurrent and disturbing nightmares.
Nocturnal enuresis - A sleep disorder characterized by bedwetting during sleep.
Nocturnal epilepsy - A type of epilepsy that occurs during sleep.
Nocturnal sleep-related eating disorder - A parasomnia characterized by sleepwalking and eating during sleep.
Non-24-hour sleep–wake disorder - A sleep disorder in which an individual's sleep-wake cycle is longer than 24 hours, leading to difficulty falling asleep and waking up at desired times.
Obesity hypoventilation syndrome - A sleep disorder characterized by breathing difficulties during sleep due to obesity.
Obstructive sleep apnea - A sleep disorder characterized by breathing interruptions during sleep due to airway blockage.
Ondine’s curse - A rare sleep disorder characterized by the loss of automatic breathing during sleep, requiring conscious effort to breathe.
Parasomnia - A broad term used to describe various abnormal behaviors that occur during sleep or while falling asleep/waking up.
Periodic limb movement disorder - A sleep disorder characterized by involuntary and repetitive leg movements during sleep.
Polysomnographic technologist - A healthcare professional who performs and interprets sleep studies.
Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep Behavior Disorder - A sleep disorder characterized by acting out dreams during REM sleep.
Rapid eye movement behavior disorder - A sleep disorder characterized by acting out dreams during REM sleep.
Restless legs syndrome - A sleep disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs during sleep.
Scott & White Sleep Disorders Center - A sleep center in Texas that offers comprehensive care for patients with sleep disorders.
Shallow breathing - A sleep disorder characterized by breathing that is too shallow or too slow during sleep.
Shift work sleep disorder - A sleep disorder caused by working non-traditional hours that disrupt the sleep-wake cycle.
Sleep apnea - A sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep.
Sleep debt - The accumulation of sleep deficiency over time.
Sleep inversion - A sleep disorder characterized by sleeping during the day and being awake at night.
Sleep onset latency - The amount of time it takes to fall asleep.
Sleep paralysis - A sleep disorder characterized by the inability to move or speak upon waking or falling asleep.
Sleep state misperception - A sleep disorder characterized by the belief that one is not asleep, despite evidence to the contrary.
Sleep surgery - Surgical procedures that treat sleep-related breathing disorders.
Snoring - A sleep disorder characterized by loud and disruptive breathing sounds during sleep.
Sodium oxybate - A medication used to treat narcolepsy.
Somniloquy - A sleep disorder characterized by talking during sleep.
Stanford Protocol - A method used to treat insomnia.
Sundowning - A sleep disorder that commonly affects people with dementia, characterized by confusion, restlessness, and agitation in the late afternoon or evening.
Upper airway resistance syndrome - A sleep disorder characterized by increased resistance to breathing during sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness and other symptoms.
abstinence noun act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite; the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
acting out noun (psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic; a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult
adenoidal adj. sounding as if the nose were pinched; of or pertaining to the adenoids
agitation noun the act of agitating something; causing it to move around (usually vigorously); disturbance usually in protest; the feeling of being agitated; not calm; a state of agitation or turbulent change or development; a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
agoraphobia noun a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)
air travel noun travel via aircraft
alcohol dependent adj. addicted to alcohol
alcohol noun a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; any of a series of volatile hydroxyl compounds that are made from hydrocarbons by distillation
alcoholic adj. addicted to alcohol; characteristic of or containing alcohol; noun a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
alcoholism noun habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks leading to a breakdown in health and an addiction to alcohol such that abrupt deprivation leads to severe withdrawal symptoms; an intense persistent desire to drink alcoholic beverages to excess
allergy noun hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity
alpha rhythm noun the normal brainwave in the electroencephalogram of a person who is awake but relaxed; occurs with a frequency of 8 12 hertz
alpha adj. early testing stage of a software or hardware product; first in order of importance; noun the 1st letter of the Greek alphabet; the beginning of a series or sequence
altitude noun elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface; the perpendicular distance from the base of a geometric figure to opposite vertex (or side if parallel); angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
amnesia noun partial or total loss of memory
amphetamine noun a central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression
angina noun any disease of the throat or fauces marked by spasmodic attacks of intense suffocative pain; a heart condition marked by paroxysms of chest pain due to reduced oxygen to the heart
anxiety attack noun a sudden acute episode of intense anxiety and feelings of panic
anxiety noun a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill defined) misfortune; a relatively permanent state of anxiety occurring in a variety of mental disorders
apnea noun transient cessation of respiration
arise verb result or issue; rise to one's feet; originate or come into being; get up and out of bed; move upward; take part in a rebellion; renounce a former allegiance; come into existence; take on form or shape
arousal noun the act of arousing; awakening from sleep; a state of heightened physiological activity; mutual sexual fondling prior to sexual intercourse
aspiration noun a will to succeed; a manner of articulation involving an audible release of breath; the act of inhaling; the drawing in of air (or other gases) as in breathing; a cherished desire
asthma noun respiratory disorder characterized by wheezing; usually of allergic origin
asynchrony noun the relation that exists when things occur at unrelated times
asystole noun absence of systole; failure of the ventricles of the heart to contract (usually caused by ventricular fibrillation) with consequent absence of the heart beat leading to oxygen lack and eventually to death
ataxia noun inability to coordinate voluntary muscle movements; unsteady movements and staggering gait
automatism noun any reaction that occurs automatically without conscious thought or reflection (especially the undirected behavior seen in psychomotor epilepsy)
autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.
bed wetting noun enuresis during sleep; especially common in children (who usually outgrow it)
bedtime noun the time you go to bed
benign adj. pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence; kindness of disposition or manner; not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)
beta rhythm noun the normal brainwave in the encephalogram of a person who is awake and alert; occurs with a frequency between 12 and 30 hertz
beta adj. preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product; second in order of importance; noun the 2nd letter of the Greek alphabet; beets
blepharospasm noun spasm of the eyelid muscle resulting in closure of the eye
blindness noun the state of being blind or lacking sight
brain wave noun (neurophysiology) rapid fluctuations of voltage between parts of the cerebral cortex that are detectable with an electroencephalograph
brain noun that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord; mental ability; the brain of certain animals used as meat; that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings; the seat of the faculty of reason; someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality; verb kill by smashing someone's skull; hit on the head
bronchitis noun inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes
bruxism noun involuntarily or unconsciously clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep
carbon dioxide noun a heavy odorless colorless gas formed during respiration and by the decomposition of organic substances; absorbed from the air by plants in photosynthesis
charley horse noun a muscular cramp (especially in the thigh or calf) following vigorous exercise
childhood noun the state of a child between infancy and adolescence; the time of person's life when they are a child
choking noun the act of suffocating (someone) by constricting the windpipe; a condition caused by blocking the airways to the lungs (as with food or swelling of the larynx)
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease noun a nonreversible lung disease that is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis; usually patients have been heavy cigarette smokers
chronic adj. being long lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
circadian rhythm noun a daily cycle of activity observed in many living organisms
circadian adj. of or relating to biological processes occurring at 24 hour intervals
classic adj. characteristic of the classical artistic and literary traditions; adhering to established standards and principles; noun a creation of the highest excellence; an artist who has created classic works
climacteric noun a period in a man's life corresponding to menopause; the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends
cluster headache noun a painful recurring headache associated with the release of histamine from cells
cluster noun a grouping of a number of similar things; verb come together as in a cluster or flock; gather or cause to gather into a cluster
cocaine noun a narcotic (alkaloid) extracted from coca leaves; used as a surface anesthetic or taken for pleasure; can become powerfully addictive
coding noun act of writing in code or cipher
combativeness noun a militant aggressiveness
conditioned adj. physically fit; established by conditioning or learning
confusion noun a mistake that results from taking one thing to be another; an act causing a disorderly combination of elements with identities lost and distinctions blended; a mental state characterized by a lack of clear and orderly thought and behavior; a feeling of embarrassment that leaves you confused; disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
congenital adj. present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
continuous adj. continuing in time or space without interruption; of a function or curve; extending without break or irregularity
cor pulmonale noun enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart due to disease of the lungs or of the pulmonary blood vessels
coronary insufficiency noun inadequate blood flow to the heart muscles; can cause angina pectoris
cot death noun sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep
coughing noun the act of exhaling air suddenly with a noise; sudden expulsion of air from the lungs that clears the air passages; a common symptom of upper respiratory infection or bronchitis or pneumonia or tuberculosis
crib death noun sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep
croup noun a disease of infants and young children; harsh coughing and hoarseness and fever and difficult breathing; the part of a quadruped that corresponds to the human buttocks
cyclothymia noun a mild bipolar disorder that persists over a long time
decubitus noun a reclining position (as in a bed)
delay noun the act of delaying; inactivity resulting in something being put off until a later time; time during which some action is awaited; verb cause to be slowed down or delayed; act later than planned, scheduled, or required; slow the growth or development of; stop or halt
delayed adj. caused to be slower or later; not as far along as normal in development
delirium tremens noun acute delirium caused by alcohol poisoning
delirium noun a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations; state of violent mental agitation
delta noun the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet; a low triangular area where a river divides before entering a larger body of water
delusional disorder noun any mental disorder in which delusions play a significant role
dementia noun mental deterioration of organic or functional origin
density noun the amount per unit size; the spatial property of being crowded together
dependence noun lack of independence or self sufficiency; being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit forming (especially alcohol or narcotic drugs)
diagnostic adj. characteristic or indicative of e.g. a disease; concerned with diagnosis; used for furthering diagnosis
diary noun a personal journal (as a physical object); a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
differential diagnosis noun a systematic method of diagnosing a disorder (e.g., headache) that lacks unique symptoms or signs
disease noun an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
disorder of initiating and maintaining sleep.
diurnal adj. having a daily cycle or occurring every day; belonging to or active during the day
dream noun a state of mind characterized by abstraction and release from reality; a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep; imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake; someone or something wonderful; a fantastic but vain hope (from fantasies induced by the opium pipe); a cherished desire; verbhave a daydream; indulge in a fantasy; experience while sleeping.
drowsiness noun a very sleepy state
drug noun a substance that is used as a medicine or narcotic; verbadminister a drug to; use recreational drugs
duodenal ulcer noun a peptic ulcer of the duodenum
duration noun continuance in time; the property of enduring or continuing in time; the period of time during which something continues
dysfunction noun (medicine) any disturbance in the function of an organ or body part
dyskinesia noun abnormality in performing voluntary muscle movements
dyspepsia noun a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea
dyspnea noun difficult or labored respiration
dysthymia noun mild chronic depression
eating noun the act of consuming food
eeg noun a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
electroencephalogram noun a graphical record of electrical activity of the brain; produced by an electroencephalograph
electromyogram noun a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions
emotional adj. of more than usual emotion; determined or actuated by emotion rather than reason; of or pertaining to emotion; (of persons) excessively affected by emotion; extravagantly demonstrative
emphysema noun an abnormal condition of the lungs marked by decreased respiratory function; associated with smoking or chronic bronchitis or old age
enuresis noun inability to control the flow of urine and involuntary urination
environmental adj. concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment; of or relating to the external conditions or surroundings
epilepsy noun a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by loss of consciousness and convulsions
episode noun a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series; a part of a broadcast serial; a happening that is distinctive in a series of related events; film consisting of a succession of related shots that develop a given subject in a movie
epoch noun a unit of geological time; (astronomy) the precise date that is the point of reference for which information (as coordinates of a celestial body) is referred; a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event
erection noun a structure that has been erected; an erect penis; the act of building or putting up
esophagitis noun inflammation of the esophagus; often caused by gastroesophageal reflux
ethanol noun the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean burning additive to gasoline
excessive adj. beyond normal limits; unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
fatigue noun (always used with a modifier) boredom resulting from overexposure to something; temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work; used of materials (especially metals) in a weakened state caused by long stress; labor of a nonmilitary kind done by soldiers (cleaning or digging or draining or so on); verb exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress; get tired of something or somebody.
fibromyositis noun local inflammation of muscle and connective tissue
fibrositis noun inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths)
final adj. not to be altered or undone; conclusive in a process or progression; occurring at or forming an end or termination; noun the final match between the winners of all previous matches in an elimination tournament; an examination administered at the end of an academic term
food allergy noun allergic reaction to a substance ingested in food
fragmentary adj. consisting of small disconnected parts
gastroesophageal reflux noun reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus
gastroesophageal adj. of or relating to or involving the stomach and esophagus
generalized anxiety disorder noun an anxiety disorder characterized by chronic free floating anxiety and such symptoms as tension or sweating or trembling of lightheadedness or irritability etc that has lasted for more than six months
harmonious adj. existing together in harmony; exhibiting equivalence or correspondence among constituents of an entity or between different entities; musically pleasing; suitable and fitting
healthy adj. having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease; exercising or showing good judgment; financially secure and functioning well; promoting health; healthful; physically and mentally sound or healthy
heart disease noun a disease of the heart
heartburn noun a painful burning sensation in the chest caused by gastroesophageal reflux (backflow from the stomach irritating the esophagus); symptomatic of an ulcer or a diaphragmatic hernia or other disorder
hemicrania noun a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men
hereditary adj. inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; tending to occur among members of a family usually by heredity
hyperacidity noun excessive acidity
hyperactivity noun a condition characterized by excessive restlessness and movement
hypercapnia noun the presence of an abnormally high level of carbon dioxide in the circulating blood
hyperhidrosis noun excessive and profuse perspiration
hypersomnia noun an inability to stay awake
hypertrophy noun abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ; verb undergo hypertrophy
hypochondriasis noun chronic and abnormal anxiety about imaginary symptoms and ailments
hypopnea noun slow or shallow breathing
hz noun the unit of frequency; one hertz has a periodic interval of one second
idiopathic adj. (of diseases) arising from an unknown cause
imagery noun the ability to form mental images of things or events
impaired adj. diminished in strength, quality, or utility; mentally or physically unfit
impotence noun an inability (usually of the male animal) to copulate; the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
inadequate adj. (sometimes followed by `to') not meeting the requirements especially of a task; not sufficient to meet a need
incoherence noun nonsense that is simply incoherent and unintelligible; lack of cohesion or clarity or organization
incremental adj. increasing gradually by regular degrees or additions
incubus noun a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women; someone who depresses or worries others; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
infant noun a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
infiltration noun a process in which individuals (or small groups) penetrate an area (especially the military penetration of enemy positions without detection); the slow passage of a liquid through a filtering medium
insomnia noun an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness
insufficient adj. of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
intermediary noun a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
internal adj. happening or arising or located within some limits or especially surface; occurring within an institution or community; located inward; inside the country; innermost or essential.
intrinsic adj. situated within or belonging solely to the organ or body part on which it acts; belonging to a thing by its very nature
ischemia noun local anemia in a given body part sometimes resulting from vasoconstriction or thrombosis or embolism
j noun the 10th letter of the Roman alphabet; a unit of electrical energy equal to the work done when a current of one ampere passes through a resistance of one ohm for one second
jet lag noun fatigue and sleep disturbance resulting from disruption of the body's normal circadian rhythm as a result of jet travel
laryngospasm noun a closure of the larynx that blocks the passage of air to the lungs
latency noun the state of being not yet evident or active; the time that elapses between a stimulus and the response to it; (computer science) the time it takes for a specific block of data on a data track to rotate around to the read/write head
learned adj. acquired by learning; highly educated; having extensive information or understanding; established by conditioning or learning; having or showing profound knowledge
lifelong adj. continuing through life
lymphadenopathy noun chronic abnormal enlargement of the lymph nodes (usually associated with disease)
mania noun an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action; a mood disorder; an affective disorder in which the victim tends to respond excessively and sometimes violently
manic depressive illness noun a mental disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression
memory loss noun partial or total loss of memory
menopausal adj. of or relating to the menopause
micturition noun the discharge of urine
migraine noun a severe recurring vascular headache; occurs more frequently in women than men
miscellaneous adj. constituting a grab bag category; consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds (even to the point of incongruity)
mixed adj. consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds (even to the point of incongruity); involving or composed of different races; caused to combine or unite
montage noun a paste up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image
morning noun the time period between dawn and noon; a conventional expression of greeting or farewell; the earliest period; the first light of day
motor adj. causing or able to cause motion; conveying information to the muscles from the CNS; noun machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion; a nonspecific agent that imparts motion; verb travel or be transported in a vehicle
mountain sickness noun nausea and shortness of breath experienced by mountain climbers above ten thousand feet
munchhausen noun German raconteur who told preposterous stories about his adventures as a soldier and hunter; his name is now associated with any telling of exaggerated stories or winning lies (1720 1797)
musculoskeletal adj. relating to muscles and skeleton
myoclonus noun a clonic spasm of a muscle or muscle group
nap noun sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed); a soft or fuzzy surface texture; a card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes; the yarn (as in a rug or velvet or corduroy) that stands up from the weave; a period of time spent sleeping; verb take a siesta.
napping adj. not prepared or vigilant
narcolepsy noun a sleep disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable episodes of deep sleep
neonatal adj. relating to or affecting the infant during the first month after birth
night shift noun workers who work during the night (as midnight to 8 a.m.); the work shift during the night (as midnight to 8 a.m.)
night terror noun an emotional episode (usually in young children) in which the person awakens in terror with feelings of anxiety and fear but is unable to remember any incident that might have provoked those feelings
night noun darkness; the dark part of the diurnal cycle considered a time unit; the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside; the time between sunset and midnight; the period spent sleeping; a period of ignorance or backwardness or gloom; a shortening of nightfall; Roman goddess of night; daughter of Erebus; counterpart of Greek Nyx
nightmare noun a terrifying or deeply upsetting dream; a situation resembling a terrifying dream
nocturnal adj. belonging to or active during the night; of or relating to or occurring in the night
obesity noun more than average fatness
obstructive adj. preventing movement
oneiric adj. of or relating to or suggestive of dreams
oneirism noun absentminded dreaming while awake
onset noun the beginning or early stages; (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
operations noun financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
other adj. very unusual; different in character or quality from the normal or expected; recently past; not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied; belonging to the distant past
p noun the 16th letter of the Roman alphabet; a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms
pain noun a somatic sensation of acute discomfort; emotional distress; a fundamental feeling that people try to avoid; a bothersome annoying person; a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder; something or someone that causes trouble; a source of unhappiness; verb cause emotional anguish or make miserable; cause bodily suffering to and make sick or indisposed
painful adj. causing physical or psychological pain; causing physical discomfort; exceptionally bad or displeasing; causing misery or pain or distress
palsy noun a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor; loss of the ability to move a body part; verb affect with palsy
panic disorder noun an anxiety disorder characterized by unpredictable panic attacks; the attacks are usually severe but brief
paradoxical sleep noun a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
paradoxical adj. seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
paralysis agitans noun a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination
paralysis noun loss of the ability to move a body part
paresis noun a slight or partial paralysis
parkinson noun British historian noted for ridicule of bureaucracies (1909 1993); English surgeon (1755 1824)
parkinsonism noun a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination
paroxysm noun a sudden uncontrollable attack
partial adj. being or affecting only a part; not total; showing favoritism; (followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for; noun a harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency; the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant
pavor nocturnus noun a disorder of sleep characterized by a dream of terrifying dimensions far worse than a typical nightmare; they occur during NREM sleep
percent noun a proportion multiplied by 100
percentage noun a proportion multiplied by 100; assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group
periodic movement noun motion that recurs over and over and the period of time required for each recurrence remains the same
periodic adj. recurring or reappearing from time to time; happening or recurring at regular intervals; recurring at regular intervals
petit mal epilepsy noun epilepsy characterized by paroxysmal attacks of brief clouding of consciousness (a possible other abnormalities)
phase transition noun a change from one state (solid or liquid or gas) to another without a change in chemical composition
phobia noun an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations
poisoning noun the act of giving poison to a person or animal with the intent to kill; the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance
posttraumatic stress disorder noun an anxiety disorder associated with serious traumatic events and characterized by such symptoms as survivor guilt, reliving the trauma in dreams, numbness and lack of involvement with reality, or recurrent thoughts and images
premature adj. uncommonly early or before the expected time; born after a gestation period of less than the normal time; too soon or too hasty
premenstrual adj. of or relating to or occurring during the period just before menstruation
proposed adj. planned for the future
psychogenic adj. mental or emotional rather than physiological in origin; of or relating to the psychological cause of a disorder
psychotic adj. characteristic of or suffering from psychosis; noun a person afflicted with psychosis
rapid eye movement sleep noun a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
rebound noun the act of securing possession of the rebounding basketball after a missed shot; a reaction to a crisis or setback or frustration; a movement back from an impact; verb return to a former condition; spring back; spring away from an impact
recurrent adj. recurring again and again
reflux noun an abnormal backward flow of body fluids; the outward flow of the tide
regurgitation noun recall after rote memorization; backflow of blood through a defective heart valve; the reflex act of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth.
rem sleep noun a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
rem noun (Roentgen Equivalent Man) the dosage of ionizing radiation that will cause the same amount of injury to human tissue as 1 roentgen of X rays; a recurring sleep state during which dreaming occurs; a state of rapidly shifting eye movements during sleep
respiratory adj. pertaining to respiration
restless legs syndrome noun feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the legs after going to bed (sometimes causing insomnia); may be relieved temporarily by walking or moving the legs
restless legs noun feeling of uneasiness and restlessness in the legs after going to bed (sometimes causing insomnia); may be relieved temporarily by walking or moving the legs
restless adj. worried and uneasy; ceaselessly in motion; unable to relax or be still; not affording rest
restlessness noun inability to rest or relax or be still; the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active; a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay; a feeling of agitation expressed in continual motion
revision noun the act of revising or altering (involving reconsideration and modification); the act of rewriting something; something that has been written again
sawtooth noun a serration on a saw blade
schizophrenia noun any of several psychotic disorders characterized by distortions of reality and disturbances of thought and language and withdrawal from social contact
segmental adj. divided or organized into speech segments or isolable speech sounds; having the body divided into successive metameres or segments, as in earthworms or lobsters
severe adj. very bad in degree or extent; unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality; causing fear or anxiety by threatening great harm; severely simple; very strong or vigorous
severity noun excessive sternness; extreme plainness; something hard to endure; used of the degree of something undesirable e.g. pain or weather
shaking palsy noun a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination
shaking noun the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements; a shaky motion
short term adj. relating to or extending over a limited period
sleep apnea noun apnea that occurs during sleep
sleep disorder noun a disturbance of the normal sleep pattern
sleep talking noun uttering speech while asleep
sleep noun a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended; a torpid state resembling deep sleep; a period of time spent sleeping; euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb); verbbe asleep; be able to accommodate for sleeping.
sleepiness noun a very sleepy state
sleeping disorders following traumatic brain injury.
sleeping sickness noun an encephalitis that was epidemic between 1915 and 1926; symptoms include paralysis of the extrinsic eye muscle and extreme muscular weakness
sleepwalking noun walking by a person who is asleep
snoring adj. breathing during sleep with harsh noises caused by vibration of the uvula or soft palate; noun the act of snoring or producing a snoring sound
social phobia noun any phobia (other than agoraphobia) associated with situations in which you are subject to criticism by others (as fear of eating in public or public speaking etc)
somnambulism noun walking by a person who is asleep
somniloquy noun uttering speech while asleep
somnolence noun a very sleepy state
spasm noun (pathology) sudden constriction of a hollow organ (as a blood vessel); a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
spastic adj. suffering from spastic paralysis; relating to or characterized by spasm; affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm; noun a person suffering from spastic paralysis
startle noun a sudden involuntary movement; verb to stimulate to action; move or jump suddenly, as if in surprise or alarm
stridor noun a whistling sound when breathing (usually heard on inspiration); indicates obstruction of the trachea or larynx
stupor noun marginal consciousness; the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
subjective complaint of disorder of sleep.
substance abuse noun excessive use of drugs
sudden death noun (sports) overtime in which play is stopped as soon as one contestant scores; e.g. football and golf
sudden infant death syndrome noun sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant during sleep
sundown noun the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
sweats noun garment consisting of sweat pants and a sweatshirt
synchronized adj. operating in unison
syndrome noun a complex of concurrent things; a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease
talking adj. uttering speech; noun an exchange of ideas via conversation
temporal lobe epilepsy noun epilepsy characterized clinically by impairment of consciousness and amnesia for the episode; often involves purposeful movements of the arms and legs and sometimes hallucinations
terrifying adj. causing extreme terror
terror noun a very troublesome child; a person who inspires fear or dread; an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
theta noun the 8th letter of the Greek alphabet
torsion noun a twisting force; a tortuous and twisted shape or position
torticollis noun an unnatural condition in which the head leans to one side because the neck muscles on that side are contracted
transient adj. of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind; lasting a very short time; noun (physics) a short lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load; one who stays for only a short time
tremor noun an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear); a small earthquake; shaking or trembling (usually resulting from weakness or stress or disease); verb shake with seismic vibrations
tumescence noun tumidity resulting from the presence of blood or other fluid in the tissues
twitching noun a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition
ulcer noun a circumscribed inflammatory and often suppurating lesion on the skin or an internal mucous surface resulting in necrosis of tissue
unexplained adj. having the reason or cause not made clear; not explained
unfamiliar adj. not known or well known
unspecified adj. not stated explicitly or in detail
vascular adj. of or relating to or having vessels that conduct and circulate fluids
verbalization noun expressing something in words
vocalization noun the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication; the sound made by the vibration of vocal folds modified by the resonance of the vocal tract
wake up verb stop sleeping; cause to become awake or conscious
wakefulness noun a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world; a temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep; the process of paying close and continuous attention
waking adj. marked by full consciousness or alertness; noun the state of remaining awake
wandering adj. of a path e.g.; having no fixed course; (of groups of people) tending to travel and change settlements frequently; nountravelling about without any clear destination
withdrawal noun the act of withdrawing; the termination of drug taking; the act of taking out money or other capital; a retraction of a previously held position; avoiding emotional involvement; formal separation from an alliance or federation.

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Glossary of sleep medicine Template:Sleep medicine

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