What is sleep disorder?

A sleep disorder is a condition that affects the normal patterns of sleep. These disorders can disrupt the quality, timing, and duration of sleep, leading to difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restorative sleep. Sleep disorders can impact overall health, well-being, and daily functioning.

Are you suffering from a sleep disorder?

If you are having difficulty falling sleeping or suffer from insomnia then it is important to diagnose and treat your sleep disorder. When you fall asleep your body and brain are performing a variety of vital functions that help you live and function optimally. Therefore, if you don’t get enough sleep, it’s not just about feeling tired. It affects your body and mind, thinking and day-to-day activities.

It’s important to note that accurate diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders often require evaluation by healthcare professionals, such as sleep specialists. Lifestyle changes, behavioral therapy, and medical interventions (including medications or devices) may be recommended depending on the specific sleep disorder and its underlying causes. If you suspect you have a sleep disorder, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

Our experienced doctors and staff at NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, can diagnose and treat your sleeping issues. We have the knowledge and experience to assess, diagnose and treat your sleep-related issues and help you get back on track.

Should I worry if I have a sleep disorder?

Do you suffer from tiredness or are constantly sleepy? Do you snore a lot? More than 90% of Americans say they have trouble sleeping, but many don’t get the help they need because they don’t know they need it. If left untreated, sleep problems can lead to heart disease, stroke, hypertension, depression, diabetes and chronic daytime sleepiness that disrupts day-to-day activities.

If you think you have a sleep problem, speak to your primary care doctor and request a referral to your Sleep Disorders Center.

Sleep medicine experts can help you figure out what’s wrong with your sleep and how to treat it. They can diagnose and treat a variety of sleep issues, like:

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates provide sleep disorder services from diagnostic sleep studies to treatment options. Depending on the type of sleep issues their patients have, our sleep doctors suggest a range of tests and treatments, including:

Evaluation

Sleep Consultation: This is used to evaluate and get to the bottom of a patient’s sleep issues. It takes a comprehensive look at a patient’s health history and sleep habits.

Blood tests: Blood tests can be done to look for things that can mess with your sleep, like thyroid issues.

Sleep Tests:

 Sleep Apnea Tests Include:

 Non-invasive sleep tests are used to assess and diagnose sleep disorders. They’re done based on the type of sleep disorder you suspect. For example, if you think you have sleep apnea, they’ll observe you while you sleep in a lab overnight. If you think you have narcolepsy, they’ll watch you while you sleep and wake up for a few naps in the lab.

• Nocturnal Polysomnography – Nocturnal polysomnography (NPSG) is a comprehensive sleep study conducted overnight to evaluate and diagnose various sleep disorders. This test involves monitoring multiple physiological parameters while an individual sleeps. The purpose is to gather data on different aspects of sleep and identify any abnormalities or disruptions in the sleep cycle.
• Home Sleep Tests – these tests, while not as thorough or accurate, are less invasive and can be carried out in the comfort of your own home. They typically measure blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing patterns and airflow.

Sleep Log  for tracking things like when you go to bed, when you wake up, and how sleepy you are during the day. It’s used to help diagnose and treat insomnia and other sleep disorders.

During sleep tests, patients are hooked up to sensors that determines on how they’re sleeping, how they’re moving around, how much oxygen they’re getting, and how they’re breathing.

Note: If you have sleep apnea, it’s important to stay away from heavy drinking and taking sleeping pills or any other drugs that can cause heavy sedation, which can make your sleep get worse. Talk to your doctor about any medications that can cause this and how to avoid them.

Treatment

Based on the outcome of your sleep apnea test(s) your sleep doctor may suggest prescription therapy or treatment. While a number of treatment options are available, one of the most commonly prescribed and effective treatments for both moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a positive airway pressure machine (CPAP machine).

Other common treatment options include a nighttime mandibular advancement device that works to move the lower jaw or tongue forward, as well as various surgical procedures.

Surgery (when required) may involve:

• Tissue removal
• Tissue shrinkage
• Jaw re-positioning
• Implants
• Nerve stimulation
• Establishing a new passageway for air

Lifestyle Changes that May Prove Effective:

• Weight loss
• Exercise
• Avoidance of alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers
• Sleeping on side or abdomen vs on back
• Stopping smoking

At NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates, we put our patients first. Our team of talented medical professionals is dedicated to providing the best care and treatment options in the area. If you or a loved one have concerns about issues caused by lack of sleep, give us a call today. Our friendly team is standing by and ready to learn how we can help.

NOVA Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Associates