A sleep disorder is when you experience physical issues during sleep that interfere with getting a full, restful sleep every night. It may interfere with your breathing, your ability to function normally the next day, and your ability to get the deep sleep that your brain requires. A lack of quality sleep can therefore wreak havoc on your overall mental and physical health.
Sleep disorders are believed to affect at least 70 million Americans. Let’s talk about the most common sleep disorders and where you can go for an evaluation and treatment that works for you.
Sleep Disorder Checklist
If one or more of the following are true for you or your loved one, it is in your best interest to see a doctor for treatment:
- You have trouble falling asleep.
- You have difficulty staying asleep.
- Your family or roommate tells you that you have certain unusual issues while you sleep.
- You feel sleepy and have trouble concentrating throughout the day.
Most Commonly Diagnosed Sleep Disorders
There are several sleep disorders that are commonly treated successfully by physicians, including the following:
Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that is characterized by the intermittent loss of your ability to breathe while you sleep. People with sleep apnea tend to snore loudly and wake up whenever they stop breathing, but they aren’t usually aware that it is happening – they usually find out about it because others tell them that they occasionally stop breathing.
Sleep apnea tends to prevent the sufferer from having restorative sleep, which means you will end up feeling tired the following day. There are different types of sleep apnea and a number of different treatments, so talk to your doctor about what is best for you.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall asleep every night. People who are stressed or have anxiety or depression can experience insomnia, but it also may be caused by an underlying illness.
Treatment of insomnia involves dealing with the underlying cause. This usually requires an approach that includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, in which you essentially regain control of your thought processes so you can relax at the end of every day.
Narcolepsy
A person with narcolepsy experiences unstable and excessive daytime sleepiness, and it is usually due to low levels of the chemical hypocretin in the brain. Narcolepsy can also be accompanied by a sudden loss of muscle tone due to an emotional stressor which causes a chemical reaction.
This sleep disorder can also pose a safety risk since a person who has this disorder can fall asleep at the wheel while driving.
Sleep Disorder Treatment in New York and Connecticut
Dr. Mark Stracks of Psy-Visions is a skilled and caring psychiatrist who specializes in the treatment of sleep disorders affecting children and adults. Dr. Stracks has convenient locations in New York City and in Southbury, Connecticut.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Stracks, call our clinic today at (718) 887-2918 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get a good night’s sleep once again!
