Sleep Disorders Glossary

noun a condition characterized by fatigue, insomnia, and other symptoms that result from long-distance travel across different time zones

• The international business traveler often experiences jet lag due to frequent time zone changes.
• I hate dealing with jet lag after a long flight.
• I feel totally jet-lagged after that red-eye flight.
• After the hectic week, I felt like I had jet lag even though I didn't go anywhere.

noun the state of reclining or lying down, especially in a relaxed or comfortable position

• The patient was placed in recumbency to prevent any further injury.
• I prefer to relax in recumbency on the weekends.
• Let's chill in recumbency and watch some movies.
• His recumbency in the hammock symbolized his carefree attitude towards life.

noun a condition of body and mind that typically recurs for several hours every night, in which the nervous system is inactive, the eyes closed, the postural muscles relaxed, and consciousness practically suspended

verb to rest in a state of reduced consciousness and reduced metabolism

adjective relating to or used for sleep

adverb in or into a state of sleep

• It is important to get enough sleep each night to maintain good health.
• I'm so tired, I need to catch up on my sleep this weekend.
• I can't hang out tonight, I need to hit the hay early and get some good sleep.
• After a long day of work, sometimes all you need is a good book to help you sleep.

noun the state of being unable to sleep

• Chronic sleeplessness can have serious consequences on one's physical and mental health.
• I've been struggling with sleeplessness lately and it's really taking a toll on me.
• I can't seem to shake off this sleeplessness, it's driving me crazy.
• The constant buzzing of thoughts in my mind led to a state of sleeplessness akin to being lost in a maze.

noun a type of sleep disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep

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• Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder characterized by walking or performing other complex behaviors while asleep.
• My brother has a habit of sleepwalking at night and always ends up in the kitchen looking for snacks.
• I heard that some people have been sleepwalking after taking that new medication.
• Sometimes I feel like I'm sleepwalking through life, just going through the motions without really being present.

noun a heavy snoring or gasping sound

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• The patient exhibited stertor, indicating a blockage in the airway.
• I could hear his stertor from across the room, he must be really congested.
• His stertor was so loud, it sounded like he was snoring with a stuffy nose.
• The sound of the wind through the trees was like a gentle stertor in the quiet forest.

noun a state of feeling mentally dull or sluggish

• The patient complained of heavy-headedness as a side effect of the medication.
• I always feel heavy-headed after staying up late studying.
• I can't focus in class today, I have major heavy-headedness.
• The weight of the world on her shoulders left her with a sense of heavy-headedness.

noun a small endocrine gland in the brain that produces and regulates hormones such as melatonin

• The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland located in the brain that produces melatonin.
• I heard that the pineal gland is responsible for regulating our sleep-wake cycle.
• They say the pineal gland is like our body's internal clock.
• Some believe the pineal gland is the 'third eye' that connects us to spiritual realms.