Conditions We Treat
Many people have trouble sleeping now and then. But if you experience any of the following, you may have a sleep disorder.
- Loud snoring
- Irregular breathing patterns, pauses in breathing or choking while asleep
- Sleepwalking, sleep talking or other unusual behaviors
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Restlessness at night
- Sleepiness or reduced ability to perform daytime activities
- Decreased sexual drive
- Depression
If you think you may have a sleep disorder, your first step is to undergo an evaluation and diagnosis. For this, your primary care physician will refer you to one of our specialists.
There are more than 80 officially documented sleep disorders. While most occur infrequently, some of the more common sleep disorders include: Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Narcolepsy.
Insomnia
More than one-third of American adults occasionally experiences insomnia (American Insomnia Association). Chronic insomnia (lasting over six months) is known to affect more than one in 10 people.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Affecting five -10 percent of adults, RLS is one of the most prevalent and easily treated causes of insomnia. RLS is an unpleasant, subjective sensation in your legs that occurs only at rest. It produces an almost irresistible urge to keep your legs in motion. The exact cause of RLS is not known, but it tends to run in families. It is more common after middle age and occurs most frequently in women than in men.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
In this common sleep problem — affecting from two -10 percent of people, about the same percentage as those with asthma — involves breathing irregularities. This may occur a few times or hundreds of times a night. OSA is caused by a repetitive blockage of the airway resulting in low oxygen levels and fragmented, un-refreshing sleep. It can occur at any age, weight or gender, but is most common in obese, middle-aged men. If left untreated, OSA can have significant adverse health consequences.
Narcolepsy
While it affects very few, narcolepsy is still twice as prevalent as multiple sclerosis. All narcoleptics experience excessive daytime sleepiness. Many also dream while awake. Sudden loss of muscle tone and vivid dreaming are other symptoms common in narcolepsy.
