Sleep Disorders

Millions of people complain of sleep problems from insomnia to excessive daytime sleepiness to chronic fatigue and the irritability associated with unsatisfactory sleep. Sleep problems are an important aspect of several psychiatric disorders notably mood and anxiety disorders. Sleep deprivation has also been identified as a factor in numerous other medical conditions including diabetes and impaired immune function. No matter what its specific medical source sleep deprivation possesses high societal costs-impaired driving work-related accidents and chronically poor work performance. In terms of specific sleep disorders sleep apnea is becoming increasingly prevalent with the advent of chronic obesity. Despite the importance of sleep deprivation education in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders is often neglected in undergraduate and post-graduate medical training. As a result many physicians are uncomfortable assessing or treating even common sleep problems.