Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders and other sleep problems cause more than just sleepiness. A lack of quality sleep has a negative impact on your energy, emotional balance, productivity, and health. The good news? You don’t have to live with sleeping problems. Read on to learn about the signs and symptoms of common sleep disorders, what you can do to help yourself, and when to call the sleep doctor.

Understanding Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Problems

If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’re in good company. According to the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research, at least 40 million Americans suffer from chronic, long-term sleep disorders and another 20 to 30 million experience occasional sleep problems.

Unfortunately, even minimal sleep loss takes a toll on your mood, energy, efficiency, and ability to handle stress. Ignoring sleep problems and disorders can lead to poor health, accidents, impaired job performance, and relationship stress. If you want to feel your best, stay healthy, and perform up to your potential, sleep is a necessity, not a luxury.

It’s not normal to feel sleepy during the day, to have problems getting to sleep at night, or to wake up feeling unrefreshed. But even if you’ve struggled with sleep problems for so long that it does seem normal, you can learn to sleep better.

You can start by tracking your symptoms and sleep patterns, and then making healthy changes to your daytime habits and bedtime routine. If self-help doesn’t do the trick, you can turn to our sleep specialists who are trained in sleep medicine. Together, we can identify the underlying causes of your sleeping problem and find ways to improve your sleep and quality of life.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders

Everyone experiences occasional sleep problems. So how do you tell whether your sleeping problem is just a minor, passing annoyance or a sign of a more serious sleep disorder?

Start by scrutinizing your symptoms, looking especially for the telltale daytime signs of sleep deprivation. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms on a regular basis, you may be dealing with a sleep disorder.

• Do you feel irritable or sleepy during the day?
• Do you have difficulty staying awake when sitting still, watching television or reading?
• Do you fall asleep or feel very tired while driving?
• Do you have difficulty concentrating?
• Do you often get told by others that you look tired?
• Do you react slowly?
• Do you have trouble controlling your emotions?
• Do you feel like you have to take a nap almost every day?
• Do you require caffeinated beverages to keep yourself going?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, you may have a sleep disorder. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our sleep specialists.

For more information regarding specific sleep disorders, please select a disorder from the list on the top right hand side of this page.