Snoring
Snoring is common in up to 60% of men and 40% of women. Snoring varies in terms of how it sounds and how often it occurs in individuals. Some people may snore quietly. Others may snore so loudly that they can be heard down the hall. Snoring is rarely considered to be hazardous to ones health when other symptoms aren’t present. There is some evidence that suggests snoring can lead to carotid artery atherosclerosis, a risk factor for stroke. Also, snoring in pregnancy has been linked to the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia) as well as babies that are born smaller and with lower Apgar scores. Snoring can be a sign of a more serious condition. Sleep medicine physicians offer several solutions for snoring that are proven to be effective.
Sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the most common treatable conditions that we see. It occurs when complete or partial occlusions to the airway during sleep lead to decreasing levels of oxygen in your body. Often associated with snoring, sleepiness and dry mouth, patients with sleep apnea may experience choking or gasping sensations at night. They may have many body movements during sleep, appearing restless. Sleep apnea is important to treat. Left untreated, sleep apnea may cause or worsen high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. It has even been investigated for an association with increased risk of developing cancer. After treatment, patients often sleep, feel and do better.
Insomnia
Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep. It can interfere with your ability to function during the day, reduce your energy level, affect your quality of life and be bad for your overall health. Over the counter “sleep aids” such as Benadryl can cause more harm than good. Similarly, some prescription sedative medications that are commonly advertised on television can have unwelcoming side effects and usually fail as an effective a long term solution. If you are suffering from Insomnia, don’t settle. Let us help.
Restless legs syndrome
Up to 15 percent of people may experience an uncomfortable, difficult to describe sensation known as restless legs syndrome (RLS). The feeling is often worse at night, at rest and can make one have an irresistible urge to move his legs (or arms). The condition is believed to be related to errors related to the cellular transport of iron in the brain and may be associate with iron deficiency, medications, diabetes or other medical conditions. RLS can get worse over time and requires careful management by trained experts.
Sleepiness
With the high-paced environment we live in today, feeling sleepy is all too common. Sometimes, however this can be due to medical conditions like Idiopathic Hypersomnia, Narcolepsy, sleep deprivation or another condition like sleep apnea. Whatever the cause, sleepiness can lead to decreased performance, quality of life, or poor health. Let us help you by identifying why you feel sleepy and coming up with a remedy.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy relates to an unstable state of REM sleep and sometimes, daytime paralysis known as cataplexy. While it may not seem terrible, those who have Narcolepsy have poor quality of life comparable to patients with parkinson’s disease. Those affected may fall asleep many times throughout the day. Additionally, those who exhibit cataplexy might feel weakness with strong emotion such as laughing or crying. Our treatment focuses on consolidating REM sleep, decreasing daytime sleepiness and optimizing daytime performance.
Parasomnias & REM Behavior Disorder
Behaviors while sleeping like walking, eating, hitting may reflect a breakdown in the normal sleep-wake transition. These “Parasomnias” or abnormal sleep states can be triggered by various activities, substances or other disorders that interrupt sleep. Our treatment focuses on identifying and minimizing triggers, preventing injury and limiting the occurrence of the behaviors.