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Biological - NIH Office of Science Education - National Institutes of ...

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Sleep, Sleep Disorders, and <strong>Biological</strong> Rhythms<br />

CASE HISTORY 4:<br />

Key aspects<br />

Diagnosis<br />

Matching symptoms<br />

Is your initial diagnosis confirmed?<br />

If no, what is your new diagnosis?<br />

ANSWERS TO DISCUSSION QUESTIONS<br />

1. The patient reports these episodes occurring at 3:30 a.m. and<br />

4:00 a.m. Is this important?<br />

Yes. Sleepwalking, another disorder characterized by walking or<br />

moving about during sleep, typically occurs during the first third <strong>of</strong><br />

a night’s sleep. This patient’s abnormal episodes occur later than that.<br />

2. In general terms, what would you expect this patient’s EMG during<br />

sleep to look like if she is experiencing REM motor behavior disorder<br />

and not sleepwalking?<br />

One would expect to see periods during REM sleep in which muscle<br />

activity increases if the patient is experiencing REM motor behavior<br />

disorder. Sleepwalking occurs during NREM sleep.<br />

From Primary Information<br />

• Patient is male and relatively young<br />

• Has no trouble falling asleep<br />

• Has multiple awakenings during the night<br />

• Excessive daytime sleepiness<br />

• Recently gained weight<br />

Obstructive sleep apnea<br />

• Has multiple awakenings during the night<br />

• Excessive daytime sleepiness<br />

• Obesity<br />

After reading Secondary Information<br />

Answers will vary.<br />

Answers will vary.<br />

If no, what caused you to change your mind? Patient snores, and stops breathing for up to 30<br />

seconds.<br />

Recommended treatment<br />

Expected outcome<br />

(effect <strong>of</strong> treatment on patient symptoms)<br />

Use a positive airway pressure device, weight loss,<br />

avoid alcohol, avoid sleeping on back, possibly<br />

surgery<br />

More normal breathing during sleep and less<br />

snoring<br />

112

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