There are 70 types of sleep disorders. Our sleep center at Las Colinas Medical Center can diagnose and treat your sleep problems. People who sleep soundly are shown to be higher functioning when compared to those who have sleep disorders like Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Periodic Limb Movement.

What are sleep disorders?

Are you wondering if you have a sleep disorder? Every year millions of Americans are diagnosed with some type of sleeping disorder. There are millions more who go undiagnosed and will suffer the consequences.

 Self-diagnosis is a good first step but it should be followed up with a professional opinion.  The only way to truly know if you have a sleeping disorder is to ask a health professional. Our physicians specialize in these types of conditions and they can accurately diagnose and prescribe a solution to ease your discomfort. Are you wondering what constitutes a sleep disorder? Here are the four most common complaints and their symptoms:

Snoring

This is the most common of all the sleep disorders by far. If you are suffering with this condition you are not alone. Over 50 million people in the U.S. deal with this problem. Snoring is characterized by loud, forced breathing patterns during sleep. There are two kinds of snoring: primary or simple snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA. Simple snoring is the more benign of the two. If you have a case of simple snoring you are experiencing blockage in your nasal passageway or a deviated septum.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OSA is a more serious type of snoring. If you have OSA then your breathing ceases for short periods during your sleep cycle followed by abrupt gasps for air. Apnea can cause a host of health problems, from migraines, high blood pressure, cardiac arrest, and even strokes. The cause is the back of the tongue coming into contact with the soft palate in the back of the mouth. When this happens, a temporary blockage occurs causing the airway to become closed off. You simply stop breathing for several seconds and then wake up to catch a breath. This can happen multiple times during the night causing you to lose recuperative REM sleep.

Insomnia

Insomnia is considered a sleeping disorder even though it involves the lack of sleep. If you have insomnia then your sleep patterns will be drastically altered as your waking hours increase. Insomnia can be experienced during several sleep cycles spanning a few days or sporadically. Sharp changes in your energy levels and mood are key symptoms of this condition.

Narcolepsy

The most dangerous of all the sleep disorders is narcolepsy. If you are suffering with this condition then you experience sleeping attacks that can strike any time. Considered the polar opposite of insomnia, narcolepsy involves irregular sleeping patterns kicked off by an overproduction of the chemical hypocretin, which produces deep sleep or REM sleep. It takes the average person 90 minutes to reach the REM stage when they are sleeping. If you have narcolepsy you reach REM stage sleep instantly and at any time. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially during times when you are operating machinery, such as driving a car.

Possible Solutions to Sleep Disorders 

There are over-the-counter remedies that prove effective in this case and even surgery for those who are looking for a more permanent solution to their problem. Lifestyle changes are often called for, such as exercise and healthy eating habits. Lowering stress levels can also do wonders for you and go far in eliminating your sleep disorder.

If you need help with any of these sleep disorders, contact our office today. Our Sleep Center at Las Colinas Medical Center can help diagnose and treat your sleep disorder.