Sleep disorders prevent you from getting quality sleep. Fatigue, snoring, and excessive daytime and nighttime sleepiness are common symptoms of sleep disorders. If you are struggling with these symptoms, reach out to a specialist. Here are some disorders that sleep specialists can diagnose and treat:
Insomnia
Insomnia is characterized by persistent difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may cause someone to wake up too early and cannot return to sleep. Because of a lack of sleep, you may experience daytime fatigue, negative mood changes, and impaired concentration. Various factors, such as illness, stress, or significant life changes, can cause insomnia. Anxiety, pain, depression, and irregular sleeping schedules could lead to chronic insomnia. Your sleep specialist conducts a detailed assessment, including your sleep history, questionnaires, and sleep study, to identify the cause of your insomnia. Depending on the severity of a case and the underlying causes, your doctor creates a personalized treatment plan. In some cases, they may prescribe medication to help you stay asleep.
Narcolepsy
This neurological condition affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. It causes daytime sleepiness, as well as sudden, uncontrollable sleep episodes. Deficiency in hypocretin, a brain chemical that regulates wakefulness, is the primary cause of narcolepsy. These sleep episodes occur without warning and can last for several minutes. Other symptoms may include hallucination, poor sleep at night, cataplexy, or sleep paralysis. Diagnosis is made through tests like nap studies and polysomnography.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Individuals with restless leg syndrome experience prickly sensations or uncomfortable tingling in their legs as they try to fall asleep. This leads to an intense urge to move their legs. The feeling can range from mild irritation to intense discomfort, making it difficult to stay still. The symptoms often worsen at night, disrupting sleep. You may spend several hours turning and tossing in bed, unable to fall asleep due to the sensation.
This neurologic condition is linked to health conditions, including pregnancy, diabetes, kidney failure, peripheral neuropathy, and iron deficiency. An experienced sleep doctor can identify the cause of restless leg syndrome and develop a treatment plan. Treatment options may include simple lifestyle changes such as good sleep habits, regular exercise, and avoiding triggers like alcohol. Your doctor may prescribe iron supplements and anticonvulsants to alleviate discomfort.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a common type of sleep disorder that happens when the muscles in the back of your throat relax during sleep, temporally blocking the upper airways. The blockage causes abnormal breathing patterns, preventing restful sleep. You might wake up feeling excessively tired, even after sleep. Loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, difficulty concentrating, and excessive daytime sleepiness are the main symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea.
Various factors, including obesity, age, family history, large tonsils, and small jaws, affect the likelihood of having sleep apnea. Sleep specialists conduct polysomnograms to monitor your sleep habits overnight. Treatment usually involves weight loss, sleeping on one side, and avoiding sedatives and alcohol. In chronic cases, your doctor may use a continuous positive airway pressure machine to keep your airway open while asleep.
Learn More About Sleep Specialists
Sleep disorders interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. They can disrupt your daily life and make you feel excessively tired during regular activities. These disorders include sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. Contact experienced sleep specialists to learn more about their services.