Have you been having trouble sleeping? Although nearly everyone struggles to sleep occasionally, frequent problems could be caused by a sleep disorder. Sleep specialist Dr. Jeremy McConnell of Florida Sleep Specialists in Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, treats many types of sleep disorders and can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Common types of sleep disorders
Sleep disorders affect your ability to fall asleep, stay asleep or sleep well. Among the most common types of sleep disorders are:
- Insomnia: Do you have a hard time falling asleep or wake up again just a few hours after you go to bed? Insomnia may be to blame. Insomnia can leave you feeling tired, irritable, and distracted during the day.
- Restless Leg Syndrome: It’s difficult to sleep when you’re experiencing crawling or tugging sensations in your legs. Unfortunately, restless leg syndrome symptoms usually flare up when you’re inactive, which makes sleeping difficult.
- Sleep Apnea: You may have this common sleep disorder and not even know it. Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing momentarily. These breathing pauses last for several seconds and can occur hundreds of times during the night. In addition to causing daytime drowsiness, sleep apnea increases your risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and other health conditions and diseases.
- Narcolepsy: If you suddenly fall asleep during the day, you might have narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is particularly dangerous because you never know when you’ll fall asleep. The disorder can be a factor in auto accidents, falls, and other injuries and can affect your ability to do your job.
How are sleep disorders treated?
During your visit to the Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, office, your sleep medicine specialist may recommend a sleep study if he suspects sleep disorders are the cause of your problems. Conducted at night while you’re asleep, the study records activity in your brain or body. Treatments depend on the type of the disorder but treatment recommendations may include:
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to control sleep apnea symptoms
- Counseling or behavioral therapy to reduce stress and help you manage negative thoughts that could keep you awake
- Sleep hygiene improvement, such as following the same sleep schedule every night, keeping your bedroom dark and quiet, etc.)
- Regular exercise
- Medications that can help you sleep or control restless leg syndrome or narcolepsy symptoms
Don’t let sleep disorders disrupt your life! Pay a visit to your Bradenton, and Sarasota, FL, sleep specialist, Dr. McConnell of Florida Sleep Specialists. Call the Bradenton office at 941-792-8383, or the Sarasota office by dialing 941-827-0701.
