After a long day, the body and brain are in need of some serious rest. Sleep is more than just closing your eyes and dreaming, sleep is a necessary and complex bodily function that boosts the immune system, restores energy, and recharges brain and body function. However, if you have a sleep disorder, your health may be suffering due to the lack of necessary rest you need. It may be a sign you need to visit a sleep clinic.
How can you tell whether or not you have a sleep disorder? Do you have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep? Do you wake up after a “full night’s sleep” still feeling tired or unrested? Do sensations in your body such as tingling, pain, or numbness keep you from sleeping well? If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s possible that you suffer from a sleep disorder. The good news is you can get excellent sleep disorder treatment from a sleep clinic.
What Are Sleep Disorders and How Can a Sleep Clinic Help?
A sleep disorder is an umbrella term to describe various conditions that result in affected, unhealthy sleep patterns. Most sleep disorders lead to sleep deprivation which can affect the health of your brain, heart, and overall body, it can be a safety hazard, and impact your quality of life.
Sleep disorders are divided into categories that explain why they happen or how they affect you. In order to correctly diagnose your condition, a sleep clinic physician will review your behaviors, problems with your natural sleep-wake cycles, breathing problems, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and tiredness.
Many people don’t realize that they have a sleep disorder, they just think they’re “tired,” “working too hard,” or “not getting enough sleep.” Most of the symptoms of a sleep disorder happen while you are in a stage of sleep, such as irregular breathing or increased movement. Other symptoms of sleep disorders in adults include excessive daytime sleepiness, irregular sleep and wake cycles, and inability or difficulty falling asleep. The best way to know if you have a sleep disorder is to visit a sleep clinic and meet with a sleep medicine physician.
Types of Sleep Disorders Treated at a Sleep Clinic
Low sleep quality and sleep deprivation can be linked to a variety of causes, this is why it’s crucial that you visit a sleep medicine doctor to perform sleep tests and diagnose your condition accurately. Some of the most commonly known sleep disorders include:
Insomnia
Insomnia refers to the condition of having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.
Sleep Apnea
People with sleep apnea exhibit abnormal breathing patterns during sleep. There are several types of sleep apnea, and based on your age and the cause, your sleep clinic physician will diagnose and treat you accordingly. The 3 main types are:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Central Sleep Apnea
- Complex Sleep Apnea
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Restless legs syndrome, also called Willis-Ekbom disease, is a type of sleep movement disorder. It results in uncomfortable sensations and urges to move the legs while you try to fall asleep.
Narcolepsy
A neurological disorder, narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness or sleeping more than average, from 15-22 hours per day. In some people, the symptoms of narcolepsy begin during childhood.
Visit Gingras Sleep Medicine Clinic in Charlotte or Concord, North Carolina
Sleep disorders cannot be diagnosed simply by the symptoms an individual exhibits while they’re awake, they may need to analyzed by a sleep medicine physician with sleep tests. Gingras Sleep Medicine provides patients with in-depth examinations and diagnostic testing to properly understand and treat their sleep disorders, getting them on the road to better sleep and better overall health.
If you’re concerned that you’re too tired, not getting restful sleep, or exhibiting irregular sleep cycles, visit the Gingras Sleep Medicine Clinic in Charlotte or Concord, North Carolina. To make an appointment you can visit our website or call our office at (704) 944-0562. We look forward to helping you enjoy sleep again.