Spring Break
Sleep disorders - weird ones, crazy ones, silly ones - explained
John Bailey
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Focus
Geez, friend, you don't look so good. Rough night last night?
It's no secret that Americans could use a little more shuteye. Even when you manage to hit the mattress on time, it's not as simple as counting sheep.
Sleep disorders can take those precious eight hours (or six, or four) and cut them in half - or worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 10 percent of Americans experience chronic insomnia. Aside from headaches and lost productivity, lack of sleep can contribute to depression, diabetes and a host of other chronic conditions.
Suffice to say, then, that sleep disorders are no laughing (or snoozing?) matter. But sleep's a strange thing, and there's plenty about it we still don't understand - especially the really weird parts, like why your roommate just sat up at 3 a.m. and yelled about eggshells in his bed before toppling back to the pillows. Let's take a look at some of the more unusual sleep phenomena - and hopefully, knowledge firmly in hand, you'll be able to get some better sleep of your own.
Sleeptalking
Whether it's conveniently romantic, strangely scary or simply weird, talking while you sleep - properly, somniloquy - is a confusing phenomenon. Sometimes your partner will mutter a pretty little "love you" as their head rests against yours, and sometimes they'll shoot bolt upright and howl something about a giant toaster.
Sleeptalking is common, appearing in 50 percent of children and 5 percent of adults, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and is generally harmless - although you might terrify onlookers if you pull a Lady Macbeth.
A more fortunate (and less fictional) sleep-talker was Dion McGregor, a songwriter who apparently narrated his dreams as if carrying on a conversation. In 1967, an LP was released of his slumbering monologue, with follow-up albums in 1999 and 2004. Seems like a good gig - compose hits during the day, and continue spouting album-quality material at night.
It's no secret that Americans could use a little more shuteye. Even when you manage to hit the mattress on time, it's not as simple as counting sheep.
Sleep disorders can take those precious eight hours (or six, or four) and cut them in half - or worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 10 percent of Americans experience chronic insomnia. Aside from headaches and lost productivity, lack of sleep can contribute to depression, diabetes and a host of other chronic conditions.
Suffice to say, then, that sleep disorders are no laughing (or snoozing?) matter. But sleep's a strange thing, and there's plenty about it we still don't understand - especially the really weird parts, like why your roommate just sat up at 3 a.m. and yelled about eggshells in his bed before toppling back to the pillows. Let's take a look at some of the more unusual sleep phenomena - and hopefully, knowledge firmly in hand, you'll be able to get some better sleep of your own.
Sleeptalking
Whether it's conveniently romantic, strangely scary or simply weird, talking while you sleep - properly, somniloquy - is a confusing phenomenon. Sometimes your partner will mutter a pretty little "love you" as their head rests against yours, and sometimes they'll shoot bolt upright and howl something about a giant toaster.
Sleeptalking is common, appearing in 50 percent of children and 5 percent of adults, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and is generally harmless - although you might terrify onlookers if you pull a Lady Macbeth.
A more fortunate (and less fictional) sleep-talker was Dion McGregor, a songwriter who apparently narrated his dreams as if carrying on a conversation. In 1967, an LP was released of his slumbering monologue, with follow-up albums in 1999 and 2004. Seems like a good gig - compose hits during the day, and continue spouting album-quality material at night.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
eMmA:)
posted 6/27/09 @ 12:12 AM EST
lol i think my dog has Sexsomnia...lol
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