Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy NBCC, NASW approved.

Learning Objectives

Upon completing the course you’ll be able to:

  1. Answer questions of your patient and dispel misconceptions about sleep.
  2. Describe various phases of sleep and our body’s reaction during each phase.
  3. Explain the role played by circadian rhythms in our sleep.
  4. Make the connection between sleep and many diseases.
  5. Define insomnia and classify insomnia associated with various causes.
  6. Provide a differential diagnosis of primary insomnia.
  7. Frame and ask questions to assess insomnia.
  8. List 8 general sleep hygiene measures.
  9. Describe the behavioral and pharmaceutical interventions in the treatment of insomnia.
  10. Explain various therapeutic approaches in the treatment of insomnia, specifically relaxation therapy, sleep restriction therapy, stimuli control therapy and cognitive therapy.
  11. Compare the efficacy and side effects of various medications in the treatment of insomnia.
  12. Describe the effects of light, level of melatonin in the body and sleep problems.
  13. Explain the correlation between the nighttime drop in temperature and sleep.
  14. Explain how your bedroom environment can affect your sleep.
  15. Define sleepiness, distinguish it from fatigue and describe the magnitude of problem sleepiness.
  16. Describe the magnitude and causes of problem sleepiness among shift workers, adolescents and young adults.
  17. Identify strategies that may help counter problem sleepiness in adolescents and young adults.
  18. Define narcolepsy and list four classic symptoms of the disorder.
  19. Provide a diagnosis of narcolepsy and suggest effective courses of treatment.
  20. Describe restless legs syndrome and list some common symptoms.
  21. Identify five causes of restless legs syndrome.
  22. List three categories of drugs that are most commonly used to treat RLS.
  23. Define sleep apnea, list several common symptoms, differentiate among the three types of sleep apnea and explain basic facts about sleep apnea to a patient.
  24. Instruct clients concerning their children’s obstructive sleep apnea, evaluation and possible treatment.
  25. Advise a patient about choosing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device with the desired features and applications.
  26. Help the patient with sleep apnea choose an appropriate mask and headgear.

Evaluation of Individual Objectives To assess the effectiveness of the course material, we ask that you evaluate your achievement of each learning objective on a scale of A to D (A=excellent, B=good, C=fair, D=unsatisfactory). Please indicate your responses next to each learning objective and return it to us with your completed exam.


Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Test Your Sleep I.Q.

Sleep I.Q.

  • Answers to the Sleep I.Q.
Chapter 2. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep

Sleep: A Dynamic Activity

How Much Sleep Do We Need?

What Does Sleep Do For Us?

Dreaming and REM Sleep

Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

Sleep and Disease

Sleep Disorders

  • Insomnia
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Restless Legs Syndrome
  • Narcolepsy
    • Night Owls & Morning Larks
    • Dementia-Related Sleep Disorders

The Future

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

Chapter 3. Insomnia: Assessment and Management in Primary Care
  • Introduction
  • Definition and Prevalence
  • Types of Insomnia
    • Acute Insomnia
    • Chronic Insomnia
      • Selected Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders
  • Consequences
  • Recognition and Assessment
  • Sleep/Wake Profile
    • Suggested Questions Following a Complaint of Insomnia
    • Signs of Sleepiness
  • Management
    • Introduction
      • General Sleep Hygiene Measures
    • Behavioral Treatment
    • Pharmacological Treatment
  • Conclusion
    • References
    • Members of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Insomnia
    • National Institutes of Health Staff
    • Support Staff
  • How Do I Cure Insomnia?
  • Trouble Sleeping? Chill Out
    • A Drop in Temperature May Help You Fall Asleep
  • Using Light Therapy to Treat Insomnia
  • Natural Treatments For Insomnia
    • Bedroom Inventory
    • Creating a Peaceful Place
    • What’s Worrying You?
  • Melatonin
    • What is Melatonin?
    • Why Isn’t Melatonin Considered a Drug?
    • What Does This Mean to You?
    • Why Do People Take Melatonin?
      • Understanding Insomnia
      • For More Information
  • Stanford Group Therapy Program Aims to Put Insomniacs to Sleep
Chapter 4. Problem Sleepiness
  • Introduction
  • Daytime Sleepiness Test
    • The Epworth Sleepiness Scale Results
  • Overview of Sleepiness
    • Defining Sleepiness
    • Magnitude of Problem Sleepiness
    • Sleepiness Caused by Sleep Need
    • Sleepiness Caused by the Biological Clock
    • Effects of Problem Sleepiness
    • Reversing Sleepiness
    • Medications for Sleep and Sleepiness
  • Shift Workers
    • Introduction
    • Magnitude of Problem Sleepiness Among Shift Workers
    • Causes of Problem Sleepiness in Shift Workers
    • Consequences of Problem Sleepiness for Shift Workers
    • Countermeasures for Shift Worker Sleepiness
  • Adolescents and Young Adults
    • Introduction
    • Magnitude of Problem Sleepiness Among Adolescents and Young Adults
    • Causes of Problem Sleepiness in Adolescents and Young Adults
    • Consequences of Problem Sleepiness for Adolescents and Young Adults
    • Countermeasures for Problem Sleepiness in Adolescents and Young Adults
  • Conclusion
    • References
    • Acknowledgments
Chapter 5. Narcolepsy
  • What Is Narcolepsy?
    • When Should You Suspect Narcolepsy?
    • How Common Is Narcolepsy?
    • Who Gets Narcolepsy?
    • What Happens in Narcolepsy?
    • How Is Narcolepsy Diagnosed?
    • How Is Narcolepsy Treated?
    • What Is Being Done To Better Understand Narcolepsy?
    • How Can Individuals and Their Families and Friends Cope
    • With Narcolepsy?
    • References
    • Resources
    • Organizations
Chapter 6. Restless Legs Syndrome
  • What Is Restless Legs Syndrome?
  • Common Characteristics of Restless Legs Syndrome
  • What Causes It?
  • Who Gets RLS?
  • How Is It Diagnosed?
  • How Is It Treated?
  • Where Can I Get More Information?
Chapter 7. Sleep Apnea
    • Sleep Apnea Defined
    • Sleep Apnea Fact Sheet
    • Symptoms of Sleep Apnea
    • Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea
    • Treatments for Sleep Apnea
  • Personal Experiences
  • Sleep Apnea and Driving
  • Having Your Child Evaluated for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Choosing a CPAP
  • Choosing a Mask and Headgear
  • Considering Surgery for OSA?
  • Sleep Apnea and Same-Day Surgery
  • Considering Surgery for Snoring?
Chapter 8. Women and Sleep
  • Women’s Unique Sleep Experiences
  • Understanding Your Monthly Cycle
  • Tips That May Help Sleep
  • Pregnancy: Sleeping for Two
    • Snoring and Severe Daytime Sleepiness
    • Restless Legs and Poor Sleep
    • Sleep Tips for Pregnant Women
  • Understanding Menopause
  • Most Common Sleep Problems In Women
    • Insomnia
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Narcolepsy
    • Nocturnal Sleep-Related Eating Disorder
  • Pain and Sleep
  • Shift Work
  • Travel and Sleep
  • When to See a Doctor