Sleeping Disorder Q & A
What are sleeping disorders?
Sleeping disorder is a general name referring to many conditions that interfere with your ability to sleep. The four most common sleeping disorders are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless legs syndrome.
Insomnia
When you have insomnia, you may:
- Have a hard time falling asleep
- Wake frequently during the night
- Stay awake most or all of the night
- Wake too early and be unable to get back to sleep
Insomnia may last a few weeks and go away, or it can turn into a chronic problem.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
When you have OSA, you briefly stop breathing throughout the night. Depending on the severity of your condition, your breathing stops 5-30 times or more every hour.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy makes you suddenly fall asleep throughout the day. Some patients experience hallucinations, temporary muscle weakness, or paralysis while they fall asleep.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
RLS causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when you lie down to rest or sit for a long time. People with RLS feel sensations in their legs that disappear when they walk around.
How are sleeping disorders diagnosed?
In some cases, your provider at DYNAMIC Pain and Wellness can diagnose your sleep disorder based on your symptoms. But many patients need a sleep study to determine what happens while they sleep.
You may need an overnight sleep study conducted in a clinic or hospital sleep lab. In most cases, however, you can do your sleep study at home by wearing a few monitors that record your breathing and oxygen levels.
What symptoms develop if I have a sleeping disorder?
The one symptom caused by all sleep disorders is excessive tiredness the next day. Loud snoring is the top symptom of OSA. The key symptom of RLS is the need to move your legs due to sensations described as crawling, pulling, and itching.
No matter what type of sleep disorder you have, the lack of sleep often leads to additional health problems such as depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss. You also have a high risk of being in a car accident or causing errors on the job.
How are sleeping disorders treated?
Each type of sleep disorder has its own treatment. These are a few examples:
- Insomnia: Medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes
- Obstructive sleep apnea: Continuous positive airway pressure and oral appliances
- Narcolepsy: Medications and lifestyle changes
- Restless legs syndrome: Medications and the Relaxis® counter-stimulation device
Don’t keep dragging yourself through the day feeling tired and run down. Call DYNAMIC Pain and Wellness or book an appointment online today.
