Sleep Disorders Specialist

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are common conditions that impact the quality of your sleep. They can negatively interfere with your life, making you feel tired and affect your overall health and wellness. Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder. 

Getting to the root cause of sleep disorders and treating them can help you feel better and reduce your risk of health problems.

What are the symptoms of sleep disorders?

Common signs and symptoms of sleep disorders include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irregular breathing
• Loud snoring
• Irregular sleep and wake cycles
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Gasping for air during sleep
• Unusual or bothersome movements during sleep
• Episodes of stopped breathing during sleep
• Morning dry mouth
• Morning headaches
• Problems paying attention while awake
• Irritability

Furthermore, your risk of vehicle and workplace accidents increases when you don’t get a good night’s sleep. 

Complications that can occur because of untreated sleep disorders include high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart problems, high cholesterol, weight gain, and liver problems. Your partner may experience sleep deprivation because of loud snoring.

What are the different types of sleep disorders?

Common types of sleep disorders you or a loved one may have include:

• Sleep apnea - abnormal breathing patterns while asleep
• Insomnia - difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep 
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) - sleep movement disorder that causes uncomfortable urges to move your legs during sleep
• Narcolepsy - extreme daytime sleepiness and suddenly falling asleep during the day

After determining the type and severity of sleep disorder you have, your provider at Complete Neurological Care develops an effective treatment plan.

What are the risk factors for sleep apnea?

Common sleep apnea risk factors include a thick neck, obesity, and a narrow airway. Other risk factors include older age, family history of sleeping problems, alcohol or sedative use, and smoking. Men are 2-3 times more likely to experience sleep apnea than women.

How does my doctor diagnose sleep disorders?

To find out if you have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, your Complete Neurological Care specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history. They complete a physical exam, a neurological exam, and tests as needed. They often also recommend a sleep study.

What are common sleep disorder treatments?

Depending on the type and severity of sleep disorder you have, your Complete Neurological Care specialist may recommend the following:

Lifestyle changes

Home remedies for sleep disorder treatments include weight loss if you’re overweight, regular exercise, different sleeping positions, and avoiding alcohol and certain medications. Don’t smoke or seek help to quit smoking when needed.

Breathing therapies

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and other breathing therapies help you breathe better at night when you have sleep apnea.

Oral appliances

Wearing an oral appliance in your mouth when you sleep can reposition your jaw and open your airway for improved breathing and better sleep.

Supplemental oxygen

Breathing in supplemental oxygen when you sleep can improve breathing and overall sleep quality.

Medications

If you have neurological problems linked with a sleeping disorder, your specialist might recommend medications to treat your underlying medical condition.

IV therapies

IV therapy, including medication and nutritional IV therapies, are common treatments available at Complete Neurological Care for neurological problems linked with poor sleep.

Surgery

While surgery is often the last resort if other treatments fail, it’s sometimes needed to treat the cause of a sleep disorder and improve your quality of life. 

If you struggle with a sleep disorder and want a better night’s sleep, call Complete Neurological Care to schedule an appointment or book online today.