Sleep Disorder
Sleep Disorder Treatment
A sleep disorder can affect every area of your life and if it’s left untreated, you can increase your risk of developing health issues and complications manifesting from lack of sleep. At Oasis ENT, we specialize in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating all types of sleep disorders; our board-certified physicians are passionate about helping you get the adequate rest you need.
What is a Sleep Disorder?
A sleep disorder can range from a physical, mental or emotional condition that will affect the quality, amount and timing of your sleep. It is imperative that we determine the underlying cause or causes of your sleep disorder and treatment by first addressing the category and type of the slumber dysfunction. Without appropriate treatment, a sleep disorder can cause significant stress and strain on your physical and mental health, as well as affect your relationships and your ability to do your job. For a diagnosis, your sleep disorder must affect:
- Your quality of sleep
- The hour at which you are able to fall asleep and the duration of your sleep
- The total amount of sleep you get
What are the Major Categories of Sleep Disorders?
Sleep disorders are classified into different categories based on the cause of the sleep disorder and its impact on your life. Our experienced physicians will work closely with you to determine your specific category of sleep disorder as well as the most effective treatment option. Here are the categories:
- Insomnia: Insomnia is one of the most common categories of sleep disorders. If you regularly have trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep, insomnia could be the disorder you’re suffering from.
- Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders: A sleep-related breathing disorder can affect your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or maintain a good quality of sleep.
- Central Disorders of Hypersomnolence: This category of sleep disorder will present with trouble maintaining wakefulness or alertness during the day.
- Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders: With this category, you will have a problem with your biological clock that makes it difficult to fall asleep and/or wake up on time.
- Parasomnias: Parasomnias occur when physical or verbal expressions take place during sleep such as sleepwalking, sleep talking, or sleep eating.
- Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep due to physical movements of your body, like restless legs syndrome, then you may be suffering from sleep-related movement disorder.
What are the Types of Sleep Disorders?
Sleep disorders have been grouped into over 80 different types based on the category of sleep disorder, the origin, and the length of time it has been affecting your life. Ancillary symptoms that occur alongside it and the impact the disorder has had on your life are also considered in the sorting. The most common sleep disorders are:
- Chronic Insomnia: You may suffer from chronic insomnia if you have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep for the better part of your nights for a minimum of three months.
- Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome: If it takes you two or more hours to fall asleep and you have trouble waking up the next day, you may have delayed sleep phase syndrome.
- Narcolepsy: You may be suffering from narcolepsy if your body cannot regulate when you fall asleep, how long you sleep, or how long you stay awake.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea prevents you from breathing appropriately throughout the night and you consistently stop breathing, disrupting your sleep.
- REM Sleep Behavior Disorder: You may have REM sleep behavior disorder if you act out your dreams verbally and/or physically while in the REM stage of sleep.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: If you feel the need to keep moving your legs while you’re lying in bed trying to sleep, you have restless legs syndrome.
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder: If your work schedule makes it difficult for you to fall asleep on time or wake up on time, shift work sleep disorder could be the culprit.
Sleeping Disorder Symptoms & Causes
There are many symptoms associated with sleep disorders as well as several potential causes. At Oasis ENT, we can help you identify the root cause of your sleep disorder and address the associated symptoms.
The most common symptoms of sleep disorders are an inability to fall asleep or stay asleep as well as the physical and mental side effects that accompany the lack of sleep. You should pay a visit to our office for a sleep disorder diagnosis if you:
- Are regularly unable to fall asleep within 30 minutes of trying
- Have difficulty sleeping through the night
- Have trouble falling back to sleep when you have been woken in the middle of the night
- Experiencing snoring, choking or gasping for air while sleeping
- Have uncontrolled movements while sleeping or trying to fall asleep
- Feel like you can’t move when you wake up
- Have extreme fatigue, disorientation, memory problems, trouble concentrating, headaches, stomach problems, and mood swings
- Frequently taking naps or experiencing unwanted sleepiness
- Experiencing difficulties in maintaining relationships or noticing a decline in work performance
Numerous physical, mental, emotional, biological, and environmental factors can contribute to or trigger a sleep disorder. The most prevalent causes of sleep disorders include:
- Medical condition or illness that affects sleep
- Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or mania
- Medication side effects
- Non-traditional work schedules
- Substance overuse disorder
- Overuse of caffeine
- Chemical or hormone imbalances
- Environmental issues like light, noise, temperature, or an uncomfortable sleeping environment
How is a Sleep Disorder Diagnosed?
For a sleep disorder diagnosis, our experienced team will complete a physical examination, go over your medical history, discuss the medications you take, evaluate your lifestyle habits, discuss and evaluate your sleep environment and sleep routine, and discuss your home and work life. To assess the presence for an underlying health condition, we may take blood as part of our analysis. We may also ask you to keep a sleep diary in order to help us pinpoint the underlying cause of your slumber dysfunction. A sleep study at a sleep laboratory may also be recommended depending on our findings.
Our Sleep Disorders Treatment Options
The treatment for your specific sleep disorder will be determined by the underlying cause of your condition, your age and overall health, any comorbid conditions or symptoms you are experiencing, and your lifestyle and routine. The most effective sleep disorder treatments are:
- Changes to your sleep routine or sleep environment
- Lifestyle modifications
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Medications
- Sleep apnea treatment
- Light therapy
- Snoring treatment
- Addressing underlying health issues
- Stress and anxiety medication or management practices
- Weight loss
- Substance overuse treatments
Why Should You Choose Oasis ENT?
At Oasis Ear, Nose, and Throat, we strive to create a welcoming environment so patients feel relaxed while receiving the care and treatment they need. Our specialties include diagnosing and evaluating ear dysfunction, nasal problems, and throat disorders. Our expert and friendly team of professionals include board-certified physicians who bring years of experience to our practice. We are committed to quality patient care, preventative care and education, and finding solutions for each of our patients that aligns with their needs. We offer top-notch ENT care in Surprise, AZ and take pride in our position as a leader in the industry, offering patient-centered care and a holistic healthcare approach.
Schedule a Consultation for Sleep Disorder Treatment
Don’t endure another night with a sleep disorder. Contact Oasis ENT to schedule a consultation for sleep disorder treatment. Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable physicians will assess your symptoms, overall health, lifestyle, and sleep patterns to identify the root cause of your sleep problems. Subsequently, we can develop a tailored treatment plan aimed at ensuring you achieve consistent, restorative sleep and enhancing your overall health and well-being.