This rapidly growing and advancing field of medicine is dedicated to the diagnosis and therapy of sleep disturbances and disorders. We can help you better understand and manage your difficulties with sleep-wake functioning, including trouble falling asleep and sleep apnea, as well as other conditions.
Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the quality, timing, or duration of sleep, leading to daytime impairment or distress.
Common sleep disorders include:
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often causing fatigue and mood disturbances.
- Sleep Apnea: Interrupted breathing during sleep, which can lead to frequent awakenings and reduced sleep quality.
- Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks, often with loss of muscle control.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): An uncontrollable urge to move the legs, typically at night, leading to sleep disturbances.
- Parasomnias: Abnormal behaviors during sleep, like sleepwalking, night terrors, or sleep talking.
- Circadian Rhythm Disorders: Disruptions in the body’s internal clock, affecting the timing of sleep, such as shift work sleep disorder or jet lag.
These disorders can impact physical health, emotional well-being, and daily functioning. Treatment often involves lifestyle changes, medication, or therapy depending on the specific disorder.
How do we treat sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders are treated based on the type and severity of the disorder. Treatment options often combine lifestyle changes, therapies, and sometimes medications. Here's a breakdown of how doctors typically approach treating different sleep disorders:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I):
- This is the first-line treatment for insomnia. It involves working with a therapist to change behaviors and thoughts that disrupt sleep, such as establishing a regular sleep schedule, improving sleep hygiene, and learning relaxation techniques.
- Medications:
- Insomnia: Doctors may prescribe sedative-hypnotic medications (like zolpidem) for short-term use or prescribe antidepressants if insomnia is linked to depression or anxiety.
- Sleep Apnea: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the primary treatment for sleep apnea. A machine delivers a constant airflow to keep the airways open. In severe cases, surgery or dental devices might be recommended.
- Narcolepsy: Stimulants (like modafinil) to manage daytime sleepiness and medications like sodium oxybate to control cataplexy (muscle weakness triggered by strong emotions) are used.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Establishing consistent sleep routines (going to bed and waking up at the same time every day).
- Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals before bedtime.
- Encouraging physical activity during the day to promote better sleep at night.
- Sleep Apnea Devices:
- CPAP/BiPAP Machines: These devices help people with sleep apnea breathe easier during sleep by providing a continuous or bi-level flow of air.
- Oral Appliances: Dental devices that reposition the jaw to keep the airway open in mild cases of sleep apnea.
- Light Therapy for Circadian Rhythm Disorders:
- People with circadian rhythm disorders (like shift work or jet lag) may benefit from exposure to bright light at specific times of the day to help reset their internal clock.
- Surgical Interventions:
- In some cases, surgery may be needed, such as removing tissue in the throat for obstructive sleep apnea or correcting structural issues like deviated septum or enlarged tonsils.
- Treatment for Parasomnias:
- Medication or therapy may be used to manage sleepwalking, night terrors, or other parasomnias, depending on the frequency and severity.
- Techniques like improving sleep hygiene or stress reduction strategies can also help reduce incidents.
Treatment plans are often individualized, with our physicians considering the patient's specific symptoms, health history, and preferences.
