Medical Services

Sleep-wake disorders are conditions that interfere with the normal cycle of sleep. They make it challenging for people to fall asleep, stay asleep, wake up when they wish, and receive restful sleep. They affect the physical health, emotional health, job performance, and quality of life overall. The most frequent are insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and parasomnias, such as sleepwalking.

Symptoms differ by condition but may include loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, frequent nighttime awakenings, trouble concentrating, irritability, and morning headaches. If left untreated, poor sleep can also increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, and depression.

The diagnosis usually involves looking at your sleep patterns, symptoms, and medical history. Doctors may give you sleep diaries, questionnaires, or overnight sleep studies such as polysomnography to find out what is causing the problem.

The treatment varies according to the specific issue. This can include cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia (CBT-I), lifestyle changes, improved sleep hygiene, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for sleep apnea, medications, or light therapy for circadian rhythm disorders. When diagnosed and treated early, sleep quality, daytime alertness, and long-term health can improve drastically, helping people live healthier everyday lives and improve their overall health and well-being.