Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Primary snoring is characterized by loud upper airway sounds during sleep. As much as 60% of the population snores at one time or another and the prevalence increases with age. Although primary snoring is not life threatening, it can be considered a social nuisance. In recent polls conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 31% of Americans take measures to deal with their partner's snoring on a regular basis. These include sleeping in another room or using earplugs to block the noise. Many treatments are available for snoring, including nasal strips, throat sprays, prescription nose medications, mouth guards and various surgical procedures aimed at reducing the amount of tissue at the back of the throat.
Primary snoring is characterized by loud upper airway sounds during sleep. As much as 60% of the population snores at one time or another and the prevalence increases with age. Although primary snoring is not life threatening, it can be considered a social nuisance. In recent polls conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, 31% of Americans take measures to deal with their partner's snoring on a regular basis. These include sleeping in another room or using earplugs to block the noise. Many treatments are available for snoring, including nasal strips, throat sprays, prescription nose medications, mouth guards and various surgical procedures aimed at reducing the amount of tissue at the back of the throat.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is characterized by the recurrent collapse of the upper airway at the level of the soft palate and tongue during sleep. Obesity, facial deformities and enlarged upper airway structures can contribute to the airway's collapse. Apneas are associated with oxygen deprivation and can cause cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart beats, during sleep. Although generally unnoticed by the sleeper, apneas cause repetitive and brief arousals, leading to poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. Patients suffering from OSA may experience difficulty with concentration or memory, poor mood control, impotence or feelings of depression. They may also suffer from hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure or abnormal heartbeats. If left untreated, OSA can increase the risk for sudden heart attack or stroke by as much as 60%. The good news is OSA is a very treatable condition. Treatment options can range from Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to surgery to dental implants.
Insomnia
Insomnia can mean difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, or sleep that is chronically non-restorative or of poor quality. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about one-half of America’s adults say they frequently experience at least one symptom of insomnia. Insomnia is characterized as being acute, chronic, or primary. Acute insomnia lasts less than one month. Chronic insomnia occurs consistently for one month or longer and is likely to be associated with an underlying medical or psychological condition. Primary insomnia is often lifelong and occurs without an underlying cause. When acute insomnia is not addressed, poor sleep can become a habit. The insomniac continually expects that he or she will have difficulty sleeping, a vicious cycle occurs, and insomnia can become long term.
Insomnia can mean difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, or sleep that is chronically non-restorative or of poor quality. According to the National Sleep Foundation, about one-half of America’s adults say they frequently experience at least one symptom of insomnia. Insomnia is characterized as being acute, chronic, or primary. Acute insomnia lasts less than one month. Chronic insomnia occurs consistently for one month or longer and is likely to be associated with an underlying medical or psychological condition. Primary insomnia is often lifelong and occurs without an underlying cause. When acute insomnia is not addressed, poor sleep can become a habit. The insomniac continually expects that he or she will have difficulty sleeping, a vicious cycle occurs, and insomnia can become long term.
There are pharmacological and behavioral treatments for insomnia and these two approaches are often combined. For acute or chronic insomnia, a sleep specialist will determine if there is an underlying problem and treat this condition first. Behavioral treatments include stimulus control, sleep restriction, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation training.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological movement disorder, and is often referred to as the most common medical problem ever heard of. It affects an estimated 12 million adults, usually those in middle age, but it may first appear in children as growing pains. It is more prevalent in women than men, often first appearing during pregnancy. The National Sleep Foundation found 17% of adults, ages 55-84, reported symptoms of RLS, which include unpleasant feelings in the legs and an urge to move them. These unpleasant feelings are often described as tingling, pulling, creeping or nervousness in the limbs and are more prevalent in the evening and at night, resulting in disrupted sleep. Family history accounts for approximately one-half of those diagnosed. Anemia, or low iron levels, has also been found to be contributors. Many RLS sufferers also experience Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) during the night. PLMD is characterized by periodic jerking or kicking of the legs making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This results in sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness for the individual, and also disturbs the sleep of a bed partner.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological movement disorder, and is often referred to as the most common medical problem ever heard of. It affects an estimated 12 million adults, usually those in middle age, but it may first appear in children as growing pains. It is more prevalent in women than men, often first appearing during pregnancy. The National Sleep Foundation found 17% of adults, ages 55-84, reported symptoms of RLS, which include unpleasant feelings in the legs and an urge to move them. These unpleasant feelings are often described as tingling, pulling, creeping or nervousness in the limbs and are more prevalent in the evening and at night, resulting in disrupted sleep. Family history accounts for approximately one-half of those diagnosed. Anemia, or low iron levels, has also been found to be contributors. Many RLS sufferers also experience Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) during the night. PLMD is characterized by periodic jerking or kicking of the legs making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. This results in sleep deprivation and daytime sleepiness for the individual, and also disturbs the sleep of a bed partner.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy affects approximately one in 2000 people, and its cause is unknown at this time. Onset occurs mostly between the ages of 15 and 25 years. The primary symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness with uncontrollable urges to sleep. Other symptoms vary among individuals, but can include cataplexy (episodes of muscle weakness during intense emotions), sleep paralysis (brief paralysis at sleep onset or awakening), and/or hypnologic hallucinations (dreams that continue into wakefulness). Untreated, narcolepsy can severely impair many areas of an individual's functioning, including the ability to safely operate a car or maintain employment.
Narcolepsy affects approximately one in 2000 people, and its cause is unknown at this time. Onset occurs mostly between the ages of 15 and 25 years. The primary symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness with uncontrollable urges to sleep. Other symptoms vary among individuals, but can include cataplexy (episodes of muscle weakness during intense emotions), sleep paralysis (brief paralysis at sleep onset or awakening), and/or hypnologic hallucinations (dreams that continue into wakefulness). Untreated, narcolepsy can severely impair many areas of an individual's functioning, including the ability to safely operate a car or maintain employment.
A careful sleep history including a review of current medications, an overnight sleep study and a daytime nap study are required to diagnose narcolepsy.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD)
Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) can be very challenging as shift work requires sleep in the daytime, when our natural instinct is to remain awake. The day sleeper may experience sleep onset insomnia, difficulty remaining asleep, complaints of un-refreshing sleep and difficulty remaining awake during their work shift.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) can be very challenging as shift work requires sleep in the daytime, when our natural instinct is to remain awake. The day sleeper may experience sleep onset insomnia, difficulty remaining asleep, complaints of un-refreshing sleep and difficulty remaining awake during their work shift.
Nightmares/Night Terrors
Nightmares are frightening dreams that usually awaken the sleeper during REM sleep. Night terrors are characterized by sudden arousal from slow wave sleep with a piercing scream or cry, followed by manifestations of intense fear and a temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The person is usually inconsolable, and will not remember the event in the morning.
Nightmares are frightening dreams that usually awaken the sleeper during REM sleep. Night terrors are characterized by sudden arousal from slow wave sleep with a piercing scream or cry, followed by manifestations of intense fear and a temporary inability to regain full consciousness. The person is usually inconsolable, and will not remember the event in the morning.
Bedwetting
Bedwetting or sleep enuresis is the recurrent and involuntary voiding of urine during sleep. Bedwetting can be associated with other medical conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infection or epilepsy. These conditions need to be properly treated before other treatments for bed wetting can be explored.
Bedwetting or sleep enuresis is the recurrent and involuntary voiding of urine during sleep. Bedwetting can be associated with other medical conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infection or epilepsy. These conditions need to be properly treated before other treatments for bed wetting can be explored.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking consists of a series of complex behaviors that are initiated during slow wave sleep and result in walking during sleep. There may be difficulty in arousing the patient during a sleepwalking episode and amnesia afterward is common.
Sleepwalking consists of a series of complex behaviors that are initiated during slow wave sleep and result in walking during sleep. There may be difficulty in arousing the patient during a sleepwalking episode and amnesia afterward is common.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. Bruxism may cause abnormal wear of the teeth or jaw muscle discomfort. Bruxism may increase in severity during times of stress or when another sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is present.
Bruxism is a movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. Bruxism may cause abnormal wear of the teeth or jaw muscle discomfort. Bruxism may increase in severity during times of stress or when another sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is present.
Diabetes
Diabetes can cause frequent awakenings and disrupted sleep. Many diabetics have the urge to urinate several times throughout the night. They may also suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). Diabetes can contribute to obesity, which is one of the contributing factors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Diabetes can cause frequent awakenings and disrupted sleep. Many diabetics have the urge to urinate several times throughout the night. They may also suffer from Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). Diabetes can contribute to obesity, which is one of the contributing factors in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux is characterized by regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus during sleep. The sleeper may experience episodes of chest discomfort or burning and may complain of frequent awakenings. Other symptoms may include a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, coughing, choking or heartburn.
Sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux is characterized by regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus during sleep. The sleeper may experience episodes of chest discomfort or burning and may complain of frequent awakenings. Other symptoms may include a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, coughing, choking or heartburn.
Depression/Anxiety
Depression/Anxiety is a mood disorder that can contribute to insomnia, and less frequently, excessive sleepiness. Generally, the insomnia or excessive sleepiness will improve once the depression is treated. Depression can also be a symptom of sleep deprivation caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Depression/Anxiety is a mood disorder that can contribute to insomnia, and less frequently, excessive sleepiness. Generally, the insomnia or excessive sleepiness will improve once the depression is treated. Depression can also be a symptom of sleep deprivation caused by Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
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