Sleep Disorders Q&A

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the quality of your sleep as well as how much sleep you get each night. 

Some of the common sleep disorders are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that makes it difficult for you to fall asleep or stay asleep, even when you’re tired.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where you don’t breathe properly, or you temporarily stop breathing in your sleep.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome is a sleep disorder that causes itching and general discomfort in your legs when you sleep. People with this condition must frequently move their legs to relieve symptoms, which interferes with good quality sleep.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is extreme daytime sleepiness that causes you to fall asleep suddenly.

The team can also provide resources to help you address sleep troubles that are common with shift work.

When should I schedule a diagnostic evaluation for a sleep disorder?

Because a lack of sleep can lead to physical, mental, and emotional health problems, it’s important that you schedule a consultation with our team when you first experience difficulties falling asleep.

Our team reviews details about your life, including your job, diet, and sleep habits, to uncover the root cause of your sleep disorder. We may order diagnostic testing like an electroencephalogram (EEG), a noninvasive test that records the electrical activity in your brain.

You might also be a candidate for a sleep study that monitors your brain waves, vital signs, and movements while you sleep.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Your treatment plan for a sleep disorder might involve a combination of therapies based on the type of disorder you have and your test results.

To help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, our team at Healthy Minds NYC may recommend one or more of the following treatments.

Medications

Medications, including sleeping pills and supplements, can help regulate your sleep cycle and calm restless legs.

If you have difficulty breathing during the night, you might need medications to keep your nasal passages open. 

CPAP therapy 

If you have sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine can supply a stream of pressurized air through a mask you wear during sleep to keep your airways open.

Lifestyle changes

Making changes to your diet and exercise routine can help with your sleep quality. You should avoid alcohol and caffeine in the hours before bedtime, and make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water in the daytime.

Stress-reduction exercises

If work stress and personal stress are interfering with your sleep, you might benefit from breathing exercises and meditation.

Our team at Healthy Minds NYC also offers therapeutic services like individual therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address the stressors in your life that impact your sleep quality and overall health.

Schedule an evaluation for sleep disorders online today.