Sleep Disorders Specialist

Sleep Disorders Q & A

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are conditions that stop you from getting the restful, restorative sleep you need for good health. Types of sleep disorders include:

Insomnia

When you have insomnia, you find it difficult to get to sleep, and when you do start sleeping, you may wake after only a short while, even when you feel exhausted.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea has two forms. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs if soft tissues in your throat relax during sleep, blocking your airway. The less common central sleep apnea is a neurological condition. Some people have a combination of the two, which is known as complex sleep apnea syndrome.

When you have sleep apnea, you fleetingly stop breathing multiple times during the night. Each time, your brain wakes you up, and you start breathing again, but the disturbances and reduction in oxygen levels adversely affect both the brain and body.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS)

As the name implies, restless legs syndrome is a compulsion to move your legs, especially when in bed, stopping you from sleeping.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is where you fall asleep during the day, often while in the middle of doing something.

Excessive daytime sleepiness, headaches, irritability, and chronic fatigue are all symptoms of sleep disorders.

When should I see a sleep disorder specialist?

You should see a sleep disorder specialist at Progressive Medical Center if you have any of the symptoms above or regularly experience difficulties getting to or staying asleep.

Sleep is vital in keeping you well. Poor quality sleep has long-term effects on your health, increasing your risk of numerous health problems, including:

• Obesity
• Stress
• Mental health conditions
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

A good night’s sleep removes all the trash that collects in your brain during the day and enables your body to restore itself more effectively.

What treatment might I need for a sleep disorder?

Good quality sleep requires the correct levels of hormones and chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Your provider at Progressive Medical Center first tests for hormones such as adrenaline, progesterone, and melatonin, and neurotransmitters like serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Once they identify your hormone or neurotransmitter imbalance, your provider can create a suitable natural strategy to improve sleep quality. The Progressive Medical Center team doesn’t recommend sleeping pills because recent research indicates that these drugs may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Instead, they create a treatment program for you that could include:

• Dietary changes
• Nutritional supplements
• Exercise
• IV infusion therapies
• Detoxification
• BioMat® therapy

Sleeping well for long enough each night restores your mind and body so you can enjoy better short- and long-term health. Call Progressive Medical Center to schedule a sleep consultation or book an appointment online today.