Glossary

Sleep Disorders Glossary - G Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/GABA Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid is also known as GABA. It is an amino acid neurotransmitter (C4H9NO2) in the brain. GABA is considered to be involved in muscle relaxation, sleep, diminished emotional reaction and sedation. GABA is rel ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - I, J And K Idiopathic Idiopathic is relating to, or designating a disease having no known cause. Idiopathic hypersomnia Idiopathic hypersomnia is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness over a long period of time. The symptoms are pre ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - H Habitual Snorers Habitual snorers are that individuals who snore almost every night. Heart Rate/ Beats Per Minute (bpm) Heart Rate is a term used to describe the frequency of the cardiac cycle. It is considered one of the four vital sig ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - S Seasonal affective disorder [SAD] SAD is the acronym for Seasonal affective disorder; form of depression occurring at certain seasons of the year, especially when the individual has less exposure to sunlight The SCN generates a circadian rhythm of ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - A Abdominal Movement Abdominal Movement is the movement of the abdomen, which reflects breathing effort and movement of the diaphragm. This is typically measured by the placement of a sensor band around the chest. Abdominal movement is recorded ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - E Electrocardiography [EKG] [ECG] Electrocardiography is a commonly used, noninvasive procedure for recording electrical changes in the heart. The record, which is called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), shows the series of waves that relate to the electr ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - F "Factor S" "Factor S" is a substance in the cerebrospinal fluid that has sleep-inducing properties. Fatigue Fatigue is physical or mental weariness resulting from exertion. Fatigue is the feeling of tiredness, weariness or lack or energy u ...Continue Reading

Sleep Disorders Glossary - D Deep Sleep Deep sleep refers to combined non-REM. Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome [DSPS] Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome (DSPS) is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder in which the patient's internal body clock is not in sync with the morning-rise ...Continue Reading