Sleeping Disorders
Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Palm City
Sleeping Disorders in Stuart, FL
It’s no secret that sleeping disorders can be frustrating and exhausting – literally. If you suffer from regular sleep disruption, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, around 30% of the population suffers from some form of sleep disruption.
How do sleeping disorders affect me?
A sleep disorder can be defined as any condition that disrupts your normal sleep pattern. Whether your sleep is insufficient due to a medical problem or due to your schedule, sleep disruption can become a serious problem. Inadequate sleep can affect every aspect of your life.
Sleep loss can lead to:
- Mood Changes: Lack of sleep can make you feel agitated, emotional, and cranky. It can even lead to anxiety and depression over time.
- Trouble Concentrating: Sleep deprivation affects your problem-solving skills, reasoning, and alertness. This can lead to problems with learning, and performance issues at work.
- Memory Issues: Sleep loss has been proven to affect both long and short-term memory.
- Lowered Immune Response: Chronic sleep loss can even make you sick. It weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to viruses.
- High Blood Pressure: Getting dangerously low amounts of sleep on a regular basis increases your chance of developing high blood pressure.
Insomnia
This is the most common sleep disorder. People who have insomnia have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, or both. Insomnia leads to a lack of good-quality sleep, often causing fatigue.
Risk Factors
- Stress
- Depression
- Lower income
- Abnormal work hours (such as working at night)
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Medical conditions such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases
Symptoms
- Lying awake for hours when trying to sleep
- Only sleeping for short periods of time
- Not feeling refreshed after sleeping
Treatment
- Lifestyle changes
- Cognitive Behavioral
- Therapy
- Medication
Sleep Paralysis
This is a condition where people wake up and feel they are unable to move or speak. This happens during the transition between the stages of wakefulness and sleep. Some people even feel an uncomfortable pressure or feel like they’re choking.
Risk Factors
- Stress
- Other sleep disorders like narcolepsy
- Mental illness such as bipolar disorder
- Lack of sleep
- Inconsistent sleep schedule
- Sleeping on your back
- Substance Abuse
- Using certain medications
Symptoms
- Unable to move your body upon falling asleep or waking up
- Unable to speak
- Conscious of being awake
- Pressure on your chest
- Difficulty breathing
- Fear of imminent death
- Paranoia
Treatment
- Address any mental health issues that could be causing the condition
- Treat other sleep disorders that you may have
- Work on improving unhealthy sleep habits
Snoring
Snoring happens when your breathing is partially obstructed when you’re sleeping, causing a harsh sometimes loud nose from your nose or mouth.
Risk Factors
- Overweight
- Drinking alcohol
- Family history of snoring and/or sleep apnea
- Narrow airway/mouth anatomy
Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating
- Choking/gasping while you sleep
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Your partner complaining about your loud snoring
Treatment
- Losing weight
- Abstaining from alcohol
- Oral appliances
- CPAP
- Narcolepsy
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. This can be a serious sleep disorder and requires evaluation as soon as possible.
Risk Factors
- Being overweight
- Mouth anatomy
- Family history
- Smoking
- Being male
- Advanced age
- Other medical conditions
- Use of alcohol
Symptoms
- Chronic Snoring
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth in the morning
- Morning headaches
- Lack of energy during the day
- Forgetfulness & mood changes
- Choking/gasping while sleeping
Treatment
- Losing weight
- Changing sleep positions
- Oral appliances such as CPAP
- Smoking cessation
- Discontinue use of alcohol, sleeping pills
The Sleep Apnea Wellness Center in Stuart, Florida recognizes the importance of a good night’s sleep. Our medical and dental services are designed to give an alternative treatment for Sleep Apnea which is common in all sleep disorders. If you’re at the end of your CPAP rope and are desperate to be fully rested, contact us now. We’ll give you a second option to your common sleeping problems, and let you know how we can help.
If you are suffering from a lack of sleep and feeling the negative effects, make an appointment today. The Sleep Apnea Wellness Center will provide the best customized treatment plan for you, and help you take control of your life again.
