Find out what sleep disorders are most commonly diagnosed by our sleep specialists.
Do you have trouble falling asleep? Do you find yourself restless throughout the night? Do you have trouble falling back asleep? Millions of Americans suffer from at least one sleep disorder. Could you be one of them? Below are the most common sleep disorders our Columbia, SC, sleep doctors see, as well as the warning signs and how to treat them.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This condition occurs when a person experiences several pauses in breathing throughout the night. These pauses can last anywhere from 10 to 20 seconds at a time and can occur upwards of 30 times per hour a night. Signs of OSA include:
- Gasping for breath in the middle of the night
- Loud snoring
- Extreme fatigue, particularly in the morning
- Brain fog
- Morning headaches
Treating Sleep Apnea: If you have OSA, it’s important to seek treatment immediately, as untreated sleep apnea can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and diabetes. While our Columbia, SC, sleep specialists often treat sleep apnea with CPAP therapy, lifestyle modifications and oral appliance therapy may also improve symptoms.
Insomnia
If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep this condition is known as insomnia. If it takes you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep or if you are constantly waking up earlier than you want to, and it’s coupled with fatigue or trouble concentrating then you could be dealing with insomnia.
Treating insomnia: There are several strategies for helping patients better manage their insomnia. Some of these approaches include:
- Improved sleep hygiene
- Relaxation techniques
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Biofeedback
- Medications
Narcolepsy
This sleep problem is actually the result of a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for the brain to regulate sleep-wake cycles. While many people assume that narcoleptics sleep more than people without narcolepsy, this isn’t actually true. Signs of narcolepsy include:
- Sudden, intense urge to sleep
- Excessive sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Muscle paralysis
- Hallucinations
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
Treating narcolepsy: Some of the ways in which we help patients with narcolepsy include:
- Improving sleep hygiene
- Changes to lifestyle (e.g., avoid alcohol and nicotine; get regular physical activity)
- Medications (e.g., stimulants; antidepressants)
If you are having trouble getting to or staying asleep, our Columbia, SC, sleep doctors may are the experts to turn to. To find out what’s going on with your sleep issues, call Bogan Sleep Consultants at (803) 251-3093 to schedule an evaluation.
