Prakt. lékáren. 2009; 5(1): 17-20

Sleep and selected sleep-wake disorders

PharmDr. Kateřina Vašutová

Lékárna Slunce, Zlín

Sleep is an integral part of human life. It comprises almost one-third of our lives. Numerous animal experiments have shown that sleep

deprivation leads to a general deterioration of all body functions, decreases performance and learning ability, and causes neurological

difficulties.

Sleep responds to physiological or pathological changes in the organism very sensitively. Physiological changes particularly include

pregnancy and ageing. Pathological changes affecting sleep include a wide range of mental, neurological, and somatic conditions (e. g.,

depression, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease).

At pharmacies and GP surgeries, patients commonly complain of sleeplessness, repeated or early awakenings, or difficulty falling asleep.

These frequently „trivial“ complaints may mask a serious disease; therefore, it is essential to pay more attention to diagnosing sleep

disorders and not to only focus on prescribing sedatives or hypnotics as the only treatment option for these disorders. The importance

of proper sleep disorder treatment is often neglected, which increases the severity and chronicity of sleeplessness as well as the usage

of sedatives and hypnotics.

Keywords: sleep, sleep disorders, examination methods.

Published: April 1, 2009  Show citation