There are a number of these disorders that prevent people from getting the necessary rest they need. Insomnia is perhaps the most well known and easiest to understand. The help they require can be obtained at the Chicago Sleep Medicine Center.

This field of medicine was started in the 1970s. Prior to 1999 any licensed physician could set up a laboratory to study these disorders. There have been changes since then.

Now postgraduate training is required to be board-certified in the field. In Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, there are a total of six clinics for this disorder. They have been sanctioned by the organization that certifies the physicians.

There are various types of this disorder. The individual with apnea breathes in a abnormally shallow way when unconscious. Narcolepsy makes the sufferer doze off at unexpected times.

Insomnia, the inability to slumber is sharply contrasted with hypersomnia. The hypersomniac dozes for abnormally long periods of time. Other types are night terrors and sleepwalking.

Sometimes a physical condition can cause one of these disorders. The same is true of mental illnesses. Before the insomnia can be dealt with, the underlying disorder must receive the necessary care.

A driver who is deprived of adequate rest is more likely to have a traffic accident than one who is drunk. Thirty-one percent of the fatalities among truck drivers are caused by fatigue. Twenty-nine percent are said to be caused by alcohol or drugs.

Circadian Rhythm is related to sleeping at the appropriate time. The sufferer cannot fall asleep at what should be bedtime. Then, he or she will find it difficult to wake up. Needless to say, this leads to not being alert in school or at work.

The Circadian Rhythm is controlled by hormones and changes in metabolism. Contributing factors include how light is transmitted visually to the optic nerve and brain. An individual with normal rest patterns has a synchronized body clock.