Sleep Disorders
Chronic Insomnia
Chronic insomnia is poor quality or not enough sleep. Individuals with this disorder may experience restless sleep, deal with chronic fatigue or have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep on a regular basis.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterized by sensations in the legs such as tingling, creeping or burning and the uncontrollable urge to move the legs for relief. Symptoms generally occur when the individual is at rest, and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes a person to have difficulty staying awake – even when they are getting enough sleep at night. Narcolepsy can cause a person to suddenly fall asleep, without warning, multiple times during the day. These attacks are dangerous and disabling because they can occur at any time and during any activity.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by repeat episodes of breathing distress during sleep – pauses in the normal breathing pattern characterized by either short, shallow breaths or pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea can be caused by obstruction in the nasal, throat or jaw areas.
According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea affects more than 12 million Americans. Though sleep apnea is a serious health risk, the vast majority of individuals with this disorder remain untreated. Sleep apnea is more common in men and people who are overweight. The likelihood of developing sleep apnea increases with age.
People with sleep apnea can stop breathing from a few to several hundred times per night, for a matter of seconds or more than a minute at a time. When this happens, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease and carbon dioxide increases – putting additional strain on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. Sleep apnea not only compromises your health, but also can make other illnesses or conditions more severe and difficult to treat.
Sleep deprivation can affect every area of your life: mental concentration, physical fitness, personal relationships, work performance and safety. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious health risks including:
Sleep apnea often can be cured through lifestyle changes, surgery or breathing devices. Treatment provides not only better quality sleep, but increased energy levels, better overall health and a higher quality of life.