Sleep disorders are conditions that affect a person’s ability to get quality and sufficient sleep. At The Sleep Clinic, we diagnose and treat over 80 different sleep disorders.
At The Sleep Clinic, patients undergo diagnostic tests such as sleep studies to identify the type or cause of sleep disorders. Once diagnosed, we work with our patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. Our ultimate goal of treatment is to improve a patient’s quality of sleep, overall health, and reduce the risk of developing related health conditions.
Insomnia
Nearly 70 million Americans have insomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep, which can result in poor quality sleep and daytime fatigue. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as stress, depression, anxiety, and medical conditions, and can have significant impacts on daily life and overall health.
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty staying asleep
- Waking up unrefreshed in the morning
- Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Irritability or mood changes
- Difficulty concentrating or staying alert
It’s important to note that while these are common symptoms, they may not all be present in every case of insomnia, and severity of symptoms can vary.
Insomnia is diagnosed based on a thorough medical history evaluation and clinical symptoms. Some tools that aid in the diagnosis include sleep diaries, sleep logs, the clinical interview, and in some cases, sleep studies.
The treatment for insomnia is oftentimes multifactorial. Below are some common treatments utilized in the sleep clinic:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Medications
- Lifestyle changes
- Relaxation techniques
- Sleep Hygiene
Remember, treatment for insomnia is not one size fits alls. It can take a lot of work to treat it but it’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of each treatment option.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by repetitive interruptions in breathing during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): the most common; caused by a physical blockage of the airway, usually due to the collapse of the soft tissue in the back of the throat.
- Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): caused by a failure of the brain to transmit proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Both types of sleep apnea are very disruptive to sleep and overall health and diagnosis and treatment is imperative.
- Fragmented sleep
- Loud snoring
- Choking/gasping during sleep
- Restless sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating
- High blood pressure
- Dry mouth
Diagnosis of sleep apnea involves a sleep study which can be done at home or in a sleep lab. This is done to determine the frequency and severity of the interruptions in breathing.
Treatment options for sleep apnea are multifactorial. It may include using a Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device, oral appliance, or surgery. Lifestyle changes are always included in the treatment plan and include losing weight, avoiding alcohol and sedatives, and/or sleeping on your side. It is important to work with a sleep medicine provider to determine what the best options are for you.
Untreated sleep apnea can have a number of serious consequences, including:
- Risk or worsening of high blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Cardiac arrhythmias (such as atrial fibrillation)
- Stroke
- Difficulty with concentration, attention, and/or memory
- Decreased quality of life
- Increased risk of accidents
It is important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea to reduce the risk of these and other negative consequences.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a rare chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. People with narcolepsy find it hard to stay awake for long periods of time. There are two types of narcolepsy:
- Narcolepsy Type 1: characterized by cataplexy
- Narcolepsy Type 2: without cataplexy
Your sleep medicine provider will be able to diagnose which type you have and treat you accordingly.
Some signs and symptoms of narcolepsy include the following:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Sleep attacks: falling asleep suddenly and uncontrollably during the day and at inappropriate times
- Cataplexy: a sudden loss of muscle tone, usually triggered by strong emotions such as laughter, surprise, or anger
- Hypnagogic or Hypnopompic Hallucinations: vivid, dream-like experiences that occur while falling asleep or waking up, respectively
- Fragmented Sleep
Narcolepsy is diagnosed by a thorough medical history and physical exam as well as a sleep study called the MSLT. Learn more about this sleep study here!
Although there is no cure for narcolepsy, the good news is that it can be well managed with medications and lifestyle changes. The goal of therapy is to improve daytime sleepiness and quality of life and to reduce risk of accidents or other negative consequences. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
RLS
RLS, or Restless Legs Syndrome, is a condition that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, which can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep. It affects anywhere between 5-10% of adults in the US and is more likely found in women over men. RLS may be caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, certain medications, and other health conditions.
The signs/symptoms of RLS can be difficult to describe. It is characterized by an irresistible urge to move one’s legs to relieve the discomfort, which can make it hard to relax and can disturb one’s sleep.
Here are some words/phrases commonly used by patients with RLS to describe their feelings:
- Twitchy
- Creepy, crawly
- Uncomfortable
- Restless
- Legs want to move on their own
Symptoms typically are triggered when the patient is resting or inactive and only occur, or significantly worsen, in the evening and at night. Symptoms may be temporarily relieved by moving the affected body part.
RLS is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms. Blood tests and a thorough review of medical history and medications is conducted by your healthcare provider to rule out other factors that may be impacting RLS. Sleep studies may aid in the diagnosis of RLS but is not required to make the diagnosis.
Treatment of RLS is multifactorial and involves medications, lifestyle changes, or both and depends on the individual case. It is important to diagnose and appropriately treat RLS to reduce negative consequences such as poor quality of life, sleep interferences, discomfort, and pain.
If you would like to learn more about RLS, visit the website below!
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