Sleep Medicine

A person with a sleep disorder may experience any or combination of the following symptoms:

• Loud, disruptive snoring
• Excessive tiredness
• Morning headaches
• Irritability
• Reduced attention and concentration
• Memory loss
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Depression

• Sleep Apnea: A sleep condition when a person stops breathing for short periods of time during sleep, causing them to awaken many times a night. Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by the relaxation of the upper airway muscles during sleep and subsequent blockage of the airway by the tonsils, uvula, or fatty tissue. According to the American Lung Association, sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, affecting approximately 10 to 30 percent of adults in the U.S.
• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): RLS is a sleep-associated disorder in which a person experiences unpleasant sensations in the legs and sometimes also the arms. The sensations are often described as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, or painful. They can occur when a person with RLS lies down or sits for prolonged periods of time, such as at a desk, riding in a car, watching a show, or at bedtime.
• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD): PLMD, also referred to as nocturnal myoclonus, is a sleep disorder that affects a person’s limbs as well as their ability to sleep at night and function normally during the day. PLMD is characterized by involuntary jerking or bending leg and arm movements during sleep. Some people may experience hundreds of such movements per night, which can wake them, disturb their sleep, and awaken their bed partners.

• Insomnia: A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep despite having adequate opportunity for sleep. Insomnia is more prevalent in adults and can be caused by a wide variety of factors. Some of the most common contributing factors to insomnia include stress and anxiety, poor sleep habits, mental health disorders, medical conditions, and medications and substances.
• Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder that affects a person’s regulation of sleep-wake cycles. Narcolepsy is primarily characterized by sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks and excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy often experience a range of symptoms that can significantly impact their daily functioning and quality of life.