Sleep Disorder Clinic

Sleeping woman

Adequate sleep is vital to good physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as safety and well-being.

Sufficient sleep is an essential aspect of chronic disease prevention and health promotion, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Too little sleep is linked to onset and complications of

Cardiovascular disease
Diabetes
Obesity
Depression
Other diseases

How much sleep is enough? The National Sleep Foundation reports that most adults need 7-9 hours a night, although individual needs vary and may change with age.

Almost everyone is troubled by a sleepless night now and then. In fact, insomnia affects a third of all adults at some time in their lives. For some, improved sleep habits and conditions can help you get a better night's sleep. When you have trouble sleeping most of the time, you may have a sleep disorder.

The Sleep Disorder Clinic at Hunt Regional Medical Center has solutions for patients with insomnia and other sleeping problems. Treatment is based on the work developed by nationally recognized specialists at Sleep Medicine Associates of Texas.

Helpful Sleep Habits

Symptoms of Sleep Disorder

Common Sleep Disorders

Solutions

Helpful Sleep Habits

Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same times every day - even on weekends and holidays
Keep your bedroom quiet, dark, comfortable, and cool
Use your bed only for sleeping, not for watching TV, working, or listening to music
Move computers, televisions, and other electronics out of your bedroom
Avoid large or heavy meals close to bedtime

Symptoms of Sleep Disorder

Difficulty falling asleep

Visit our online health library for information on Sleep Disorder

Morning headaches
Awakening in the night
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Loud snoring
Depressed mood
Episodes of stopped breathing
Anxiety
Sleep walking
Apathy
Lower leg movements during sleep
Hypertension

Common Sleep Disorders:

Insomnia

Insomnia is an inability to fall or stay asleep that prevents normal daytime functioning. It can interfere with the ability to concentrate, make decisions, and solve problems.

Transient Insomnia is a response to temporary stress, excitement, or an unfamiliar environment (an extra-hard bed in a hotel room, for example). It lasts for one night to several nights. Sleep returns to normal after the triggering event or situation is resolved.

Short-term Insomnia occurs during longer periods of stress at home or at work and can last for several weeks.

Chronic Insomnia is a pattern of poor sleep every night (or most nights). It interferes with day-time activities because sufferers are often too tired to perform well on the job or relate well to other people.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

OSA is the most serious sleep disorder. The upper airway becomes obstructed during sleep, causing the sleeper to stop breathing for as long as 90 seconds. Periods of apnea may occur several hundred times per night. OSA is the most common medical cause of sleepiness during the day, especially in men, who are affected by the disorder more often than women.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers may be identified by loud, habitual snoring, gasping during sleep, waking up frequently during the night, daytime fatigue, obesity, high blood pressure, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movements (PLM)

Patients with RLS or PLM report rhythmic jerking of the legs or feet, pain, or an uncomfortable sensation that makes them want to move their legs. This restlessness interferes with normal sleep.

Narcolepsy

A fairly rare sleep disorder, narcolepsy results in muscular weakness when angry or laughing, sleep paralysis, and daytime sleepiness. Symptoms can appear suddenly or develop slowly over a long period of time.

Solutions

The Sleep Disorder Clinic takes advantage of a variety of treatments to deal with sleep problems. These include:

Testing
Medication
Oral appliances
A breathing device
Lifestyle changes
Referral for surgery

If you experience sleep problems or if sleepiness affects your daily routine, ask your doctor if you should be tested. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a sleep specialist, contact :