Sleep-wake disorders

Sleep disruption is a common occurrence for adults, with insomnia symptoms reported by as many as 33% to 50% of adults. This chapter reviews common sleep-wake disorders encountered in the geriatric population. Practitioners will initially learn about normal, basic sleep architecture before being introduced to some of the commonly encountered abnormal sleep issues constituting sleep-wake disorders. The chapter review tools that can be used to assess sleep and appropriate interprofessional collaboration and referrals. The goal of treatment of sleep disorders should be improved quality and quantity of sleep. The chapter helps the practitioners to: identify the basic physiological states of sleep; understand the importance of an electroencephalogram in sleep disorders; define insomnia disorder and the associated diagnostic criteria; identify differences between insomnia disorders and obstructive sleep apneas; identify how histamine and melatonin receptors work in sleep disorders; and evaluate the use of common sleep aids in geriatric mental health patients