Sleep Medicine (PDF)

On average people spend one third of their life sleeping. An
understanding of the physiology and pathophysiological changes that
take place during this time is, therefore, essential to the medical
care of patients. Sleep disorders can arise from a variety of
causes including respiratory, psychiatric and neurological
conditions, as well as pain and lifestyle changes. Consequently,
their understanding is pertinent to a wide range of clinicians who
require an overview of their diagnosis and treatment.

Written by one of the UK's leading authorities on sleep
medicine, Sleep Medicine: A Guide to Sleep and its Disorders
presents a practical guide to the clinical problems related to
sleep disorders. An experienced author, John Shneerson writes
concisely and presents the information in a most accessible way.
The text is clearly organised and full use has been made of tables
and line diagrams. Whilst the body of the text is clinical in
approach, the scientific basis of sleep and sleep medicine and the
technical aspects of sleep investigations are explained fully.

The book is divided into three sections. The first group of
chapters considers the fundamentals of sleep, the effects of drugs
on sleep and how to assess sleep complaints. The main body of the
book consists of chapters on individual sleep disorders. Each of
these has a structured approach, outlining both assessment and
treatment. Insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, awareness during
sleep and behavioural abnormalities are covered. The final chapters
deal with the important respiratory consequences of upper airway
dysfunction, changes in the control of breathing during sleep and
the social implications of sleep problems.

Sleep medicine is a fast developing discipline which interfaces
with many of the medical specialties. Sleep Medicine: A Guide to
Sleep and its Disorders enables doctors and other health
professionals to access recent advances ensuring that their
patients receive the optimum treatment for their sleep
disorders.