Sleeping Disorder Specialist

What is a sleeping disorder?

A sleeping disorder is a general term that includes various conditions that affect the timing, duration, and quality of sleep. These factors then interfere with how you function when you’re awake.

A sleeping disorder may lead to other health problems or be a symptom of an underlying medical or psychological condition.

Getting help for a sleeping disorder benefits your overall health and well-being. SEPA Pain & Spine specializes in sleeping disorders and can provide the diagnosis and treatment you need. 

What are examples of a sleeping disorder?

There are many types of sleeping disorders. Some of the more common include:

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep problem that affects your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia may be an acute problem caused by a change in routine or stress or a chronic problem that affects your daily life.

Sleep apnea

With sleep apnea, you intermittently stop and restart breathing while you sleep. The irregular breathing pattern causes you to wake up frequently, often without you even knowing.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that requires medical management. 

Restless leg syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a movement disorder that causes uncontrollable leg movements when you relax or sleep. Pain, itching, or throbbing in your legs triggers the movement.

Narcolepsy

With narcolepsy, you feel excessively tired during the day, causing you to fall asleep during activities. 

Parasomnias

Parasomnias are unusual sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, or bedwetting. 

How is a sleeping disorder diagnosed?

When you visit SEPA Pain & Spine with concerns about a sleeping disorder, your provider conducts an in-depth history and physical to help find the underlying cause of your sleep problem.

To diagnose a sleeping disorder, they may refer you to a sleep lab for a sleep study. During the sleep study, special technicians monitor you while you sleep to diagnose your sleeping disorder. 

How is a sleeping disorder treated?

SEPA Pain & Spine develops individual treatment plans for sleeping disorders based on the diagnosis. Your plan may include:

• Developing a healthy sleep routine
• Disease-specific medication or therapy
• Prescription sleep medication
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

For severe sleep apnea, your provider prescribes continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to help keep your airway passage open while you sleep. 

Sleeping disorders affect your overall health. For comprehensive care, call SEPA Pain & Spine, or book an appointment online today.