Sleep Disorders
At Alabama Dental and Sleep Wellness Center, we treat various sleep disorders. We’re your sleep disorder wellness center when you have difficulties getting a good night’s rest.
Do you or someone you love have sleep difficulties? These may include:
- difficulty getting to sleep
- difficulty staying asleep
- sleepwalking
- disruptive snoring
- narcolepsy
- restless leg syndrome
- and more
If so, you may find relief at Alabama Dental and Sleep Wellness Center. Contact us to book an appointment or to learn more about our treatment options.
Sleep Disorders Need to Be Diagnosed
All over the world, people suffer from various sleep disorders. These range in seriousness from mild to risky or even life-threatening. If you do have a sleep disorder, it’s important that you seek diagnosis and treatment. There could be underlying issues going on, where the sleep disorder is only a symptom. Or, the sleep disorder could jeopardize your life in ways that you can’t even imagine.
Sleep Disorders
Several different kinds of sleep disorders can affect people.
The following is a partial list:
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where apneic episodes occur while a person is asleep. An apneic episode is a cessation of breathing. These are measured in both the amount of time each episode lasts and the frequency with which they occur during a span of 60 minutes. Anything more than five times per hour is considered sleep apnea, and any duration that lasts 20 seconds is considered dangerous. Sleep apnea inhibits oxygen delivery to vital organs, such as the brain and heart, and is considered a life risk.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome is a condition where there is an irrepressible urge to move the legs when a person is in a prone position or is trying to go to sleep. The condition keeps a person awake, as they may feel tired and ready for sleep, but the legs feel “wide awake.” The sensation is often described as crawling, tingling, or throbbing, only relieved by getting up and walking around. Ironically, the symptoms are often worse when a person is trying to rest. Many treatment options are available for restless legs syndrome, which can help restore restful sleep.
Circadian Rhythm Disruption
The internal clock that tells your body when it’s time to sleep and when it’s time to wake is called your circadian rhythm. The disruption occurs when the circadian rhythm gets “confused,” resulting in sleep deprivation. The person may feel wide awake at night when it’s time to sleep and then sleepy when the sun comes up. Whether it’s jet lag, shift work sleep disorder, or delayed sleep phase syndrome, the result is the same: difficulty falling asleep and waking up at socially acceptable times. Treatment strategies focus on light therapy to reset the internal clock, melatonin supplements, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule.
Narcolepsy
While rarer than some other sleep disorders, narcolepsy is common enough that it happens to a larger percentage of the population. It’s a condition where the boundary between wakefulness and sleeping becomes blurred. Symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness and then sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep. A person may fall asleep in any situation while driving, so this sleep disorder needs immediate and effective treatment.
This is not a comprehensive list of sleep disorders; only some of the most common. Any time you or your loved one are having difficulties getting to sleep or staying asleep, you should contact the professionals at Alabama Dental and Sleep Wellness Center. We diagnose and treat sleep disorders in Alabama and surrounding areas.
Dangers of Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders can cause a variety of dangerous situations, including oxygen deprivation, where the brain is deprived of oxygen while the person stops breathing for certain intervals.
Another danger of some sleep disorders is heart damage. The heart is a muscle that needs a continual supply of oxygen. Any cessation of breathing for too long can result in heart tissue damage or certain heart conditions, including arrhythmia.
Yet another danger is the chance of putting yourself or your family at risk during a sleepwalking event. When a person sleepwalks, they may leave the safety of their home and wander off into dangerous situations, attempt to cook something in their sleep, create a fire hazard, or engage in nonsensical and or/dangerous behaviors that jeopardize themselves or their family members.
The dangers of sleep disorders cannot be overstated. Whether your sleep disorder seems mild or very disruptive, it’s important to have it diagnosed by a professional, such as the Alabama Dental and Sleep Wellness Center.
Never try to diagnose your sleep disorder by yourself since there may be urgent care that’s needed to keep you and your body safe. Contact Alabama Dental and Sleep Wellness Center today to book a consultation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner you can enjoy restful sleep again!
