Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders prevent you from getting high-quality sleep. When your normal sleeping pattern is disturbed, you’ll usually experience tiredness. But poor sleep quality can also affect your mental health, concentration and daily functioning. Common causes of sleep disorders include genetics, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. Other medical conditions like lung disease, heart disease, nerve disorders and pain may cause sleep disorders.
Types of Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders are medical conditions that don’t allow you to sleep normally or enjoy good quality sleep every night. Several sleep disorders affect individuals each night. Of the various types, the most common are insomnia and sleep apnea.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most frequently recorded sleep disorder, marked by staying awake after disrupted sleep or difficulty falling asleep. Several factors can cause this disorder — the main two being a poor sleep environment and lifestyle circumstances. A poor sleep environment can include an uncomfortable bed, a noisy room, an unpleasant room temperature or too much light. Lifestyle factors affecting your sleep include working late, drinking alcohol or caffeine before bed or using an electronic device too close to bedtime.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts throughout the night. This can be potentially dangerous, as the person experiencing it doesn't always know it's happening. Different bodily processes cause two types of sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the throat muscles relax on their own, blocking the flow of air. Central sleep apnea (CSA) happens when the brain doesn't consistently send the proper signals to muscles that control breathing.
Other Sleep Disorders
Additional sleep disorders that many experience include:
- Hypersomnia: Being unable to stay alert and awake in the daytime.
- Restless leg syndrome: A prickly or tingling sensation in the legs that comes with a strong urge to move them.
- Circadian rhythm disorders: A disrupted sleep-wake cycle that doesn’t allow you to wake up early or sleep at night.
- Parasomnia: Behaving abnormally when falling asleep, during sleep or when you wake up. A good example is talking or walking while sleeping.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately. Our mental health clinic offers a comprehensive all-in-one diagnosis for sleep disorders. We’ll offer you a treatment plan that helps you overcome your sleep disorders and start enjoying a better quality of life with renewed vigor for your daily activities.
Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
If you have sleep disorder symptoms, you need to visit a sleep disorder treatment center immediately. Some of the signs that you have a sleep disorder include the following:
- Taking over 30 minutes to fall asleep each night
- Waking up several times during the night and finding it difficult to get back to sleep
- Feeling sleepy during the day and having to take short naps often
- Snoring aloud or making sounds that show breathing difficulty
Your body will quickly notice the difference between a chronic sleep condition and a random bad night's rest. A chronic sleep disorder will impact your overall health. You might notice your daytime sleepiness is getting worse, you are becoming sick more frequently or you aren't regularly present in the moment. Driving or operating heavy machinery may become dangerous to yourself or others.
Diagnosis and Treatment for Sleep Disorders
If you live in California and you have one or more of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor who can treat sleep disorders effectively. We have one of the best sleep disorder treatment centers in the city. At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we offer comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and medication for sleep disorders and other mental health conditions. Here, we can perform a comprehensive medical exam and lab tests and take your medical history. You may also need to use a polysomnogram that studies your sleep patterns and collects data about your body while you sleep at night. Some of the data that this equipment will record includes:
- Heart rate
- Electrical activity of your muscles
- Blood pressure
- Breathing rate
- Movements of your eyes
- Changes in your brain waves
Sleep disorder diagnosis may also examine how fast you fall asleep while taking a nap during the day or if you can stay awake throughout the day. After a thorough diagnosis, we’ll recommend the best treatment for your specific sleep disorder, which may include:
- Therapy or stress-relieving techniques: Regular therapy appointments can help patients learn techniques to eliminate anxiety about having adequate sleep. A common practice is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia treatment.
- Lifestyle changes: Proper sleeping habits, a good diet and regular exercise are the best places to start when regulating your circadian rhythm. We can help you start slowly implementing these practices into your daily life.
- Breathing treatments: Many patients use equipment designed to treat sleep apnea, such as a CPAP machine.
- Light therapy: Engaging in light therapy early in the morning can help you maintain more energy throughout the day — especially in the winter.
- Medication management: Medications are available to aid you in falling asleep at night. Your doctor can help you find the right fit for your symptoms.
We Are Psychiatric Doctors Who Treat Sleep Disorders in California
At Advanced Psychiatry Associates, we are here to listen and serve you. We have several years of experience treating sleep disorders to help you get on track for a full night's rest. We offer treatment of mental health disorders for teens and adolescents from the age of 14 years and older. You can pay for treatment through most major health insurance providers, including HMOs, Medicare, worker’s compensation and cash.
Contact Advanced Psychiatry Associates for Help With Sleep Disorders
Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively. If you live in Northern or Southern California, you can schedule an appointment online at any time to receive treatment. Give us a call at 1-877-APA-5818 to book an appointment with a sleep specialist for your diagnosis and treatment, or use our live chat to receive help right away.