Sonoran Sleep Center is an Arizona-based practice of sleep medicine specialists who diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can lead to a number of health problems if left untreated, and consulting a sleep medicine specialist can help you regain your sleep quality and overall health. Here are some of the most common sleep disorders that are diagnosed by sleep medicine specialists.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, depression, and medical conditions. Insomnia can lead to daytime fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Sleep medicine specialists use a variety of treatments to manage insomnia, including cognitive behavioral therapy and medications.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to control sleep and wake cycles. People with narcolepsy experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may fall asleep unexpectedly during the day. Narcolepsy can also cause sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and disrupted nighttime sleep. Sleep medicine specialists can help manage narcolepsy with medications and lifestyle changes.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by interruptions in breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea may snore loudly and experience gasping or choking during sleep. Sleep apnea can lead to a host of health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Sleep medicine specialists may recommend lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and quitting smoking, as well as the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) to treat sleep apnea.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs, such as itching, burning, or creeping. People with restless leg syndrome may feel the urge to move their legs to relieve these symptoms, which can disrupt sleep. Sleep medicine specialists may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to manage restless leg syndrome.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
Periodic limb movement disorder is a sleep disorder that causes repetitive movements of the legs or arms during sleep. These movements can cause disruptions in sleep and lead to daytime fatigue and irritability. Sleep medicine specialists may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to manage periodic limb movement disorder.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
REM sleep behavior disorder is a sleep disorder that causes people to act out their dreams during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep stage. People with REM sleep behavior disorder may talk, shout, or even physically act out their dreams during sleep. This disorder can be dangerous, as people may injure themselves or their bed partners during these episodes. Sleep medicine specialists may recommend medications and lifestyle changes to manage REM sleep behavior disorder.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most common sleep disorders that are diagnosed by sleep medicine specialists. If you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, daytime fatigue, or any other sleep-related symptoms, it is important to consult a sleep medicine specialist. These specialists can help diagnose your sleep disorder and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs, helping you regain your sleep quality and improve your overall health.
