4 Common Sleep Disorders: Signs and Treatments

Most people look forward to the end of the day when they can crawl into bed and get some much-needed shut-eye. But if you’re one of the 50-70 million Americans struggling with some form of sleep disorder, you may find yourself dreading bedtime instead. 

There are many forms of sleep disorders that disrupt your sleep patterns in different ways. Some may prevent you from falling asleep, while others make you sleep too long or affect your quality of sleep.

Sleep disorders also affect your quality of life, leading to more severe health conditions, ranging from heart disease to depression. 

At SEPA Pain & Spine, we specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders to improve your quality of life and prevent you from developing chronic diseases. 

Here, we outline four common sleep disorders, how to identify them, and what you can do about them. 

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are a range of conditions that affect your ability to sleep well regularly. The causes include health problems, stress, or environmental factors such as poor weather. Living with a sleep disorder can significantly disrupt your life. 

Here are four common sleep disorders, their signs, and the treatments available at SEPA Pain & Spine to manage these conditions effectively.

Insomnia

Insomnia is marked by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to go back to sleep. If you have insomnia, you might experience fatigue during the day, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Treatment for insomnia includes behavioral changes like improving your sleep hygiene, cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and, in some cases, prescription medications. 

Sleep apnea

Do you snore loudly when you sleep? Or do you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night gasping or choking? You may have sleep apnea. The condition occurs when your airway becomes blocked while you sleep, reducing or stopping airflow.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. Additionally, we often recommend lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and quitting smoking. 

Restless legs syndrome

This condition causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs repeatedly. You typically feel an uncomfortable sensation until you do so. It generally happens in the evening or at night when you’re sitting or lying down.

Treatment options for restless legs syndrome include lifestyle changes, leg massages, heat or ice packs, and medications to manage dopamine levels in your brain. 

Narcolepsy

The most telling sign of narcolepsy is extreme daytime sleepiness and suddenly falling asleep even in scenarios where you typically don’t. People with narcolepsy might experience sudden muscle weakness while awake (cataplexy), hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.

Managing narcolepsy typically involves medications like stimulants, antidepressants, or other drugs that regulate your sleep cycle. Lifestyle adjustments and counseling to help manage your symptoms can also improve your sleep quality.

Sleep disorders can significantly impair quality of life and lead to long-term health issues if left untreated. At SEPA Pain & Spine, we provide exceptional care and support to our patients suffering from these conditions. We treat not just the symptoms but also their root causes.

If you or someone you love is struggling with a sleep disorder call us at 855-235-7246 to schedule a consultation at any of our offices in Horsham, Langhorne, Meadowbrook, Chalfont, East Norriton, or Limerick in southeastern Pennsylvania. You can also book one online here.