Information on Sleep Disorders
(Adapted from the International Classification of Sleep Disorders,  American Academy of Sleep Medicine  2006.)

ISOLATED SYMPTOMS

Long Sleeper – an individual who consistently sleeps more hours during a 24-hour period then other typical people of the same age. No daytime sleepiness or sleep disturbances are seen.

Short Sleeper – an individual who consistently sleeps less hours during a 24-hour period than other typical people of the same age. No daytime sleepiness or sleep disturbances are seen.

Sleep Talking (Somniloquy) – talking during sleep.

Sleep Starts (Hypnic jerks) – sudden brief jerks mainly of the legs or arms occurring at the start of sleep. There is often a feeling of falling at this time.

Benign Sleep Myoclonus of Infancy – repetitive twitching that occurs in infants while asleep during the first year of life.

Hypnagogic Foot Tremor (HFT) and Alternating Leg Muscle Activation during Sleep (ALMA) – this foot tremor is a rhythmic movement of the toes or feet which occurs at sleep onset or at transition periods between stages of sleep. Individuals with alternating leg muscle activation generally have a contraction of the leg muscle in the front of the leg causing a foot movement. These conditions are more common in individuals with restless leg syndrome or sleep related breathing disturbances such as sleep apnea.

Propriospinal Myoclonus at Sleep Onset – this is a sudden muscle jerk occurring just before falling asleep. The muscle contraction is generally over the trunk but may also involve the upper arms and legs or neck. These contractions go away during sleep. Although this condition is benign it can lead to significant insomnia and must be differentiated from seizures.

Excessive Fragmentary Myoclonus – this disorder is characterized by small movements of the fingers, toes or corners of the mouth, and can occur while awake or asleep. The individual is generally not aware of these twitch-like movements. This disorder must be differentiated from seizures.