Obstructive Sleep Apnea
The most common sleeping disorder is “OSA”. “OSA” is when the upper airway is obstructed (closed, 10 seconds or longer) during sleep, and prevents the person sleeping from getting enough air, which usually causes wakening during the night. It is the most common cause of excessive daytime sleepiness, and is most common in men with women rapidly catching up.
The most common symptoms of OSA:
- Loud, habitual snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Daytime sleepiness
- Irritability/Personality changes
- Obesity
- Choking/Gasping/snorts during sleep
- Hypertension
- Non-refreshing sleep/inability to wake up
- Daytime fatigue
- Memory and concentration problems
- Morning headaches
- Upper airway abnormalities
- Frequent napping
- Nocturnal Angina/Arrhythmias
- Frequent awakenings
- Sexual problems
- Diagnosing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is painless and easier than you think. All it requires is an overnight test that monitors several things i.e. oxygen level, leg movements, snoring, and breathing effort.
If you or a loved one suffers from OSA, you will be glad to hear that most benefit from an evaluation, along with treatment and proper follow-up. Contact Avilys today to see how we can help.
Insomnia
Insomnia describes those who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Many times, insomnia is caused from everyday issues, including worry, anxiety, stress, or medical problems.
Typical reasons why insomnia occurs are:
- Worry, anxiety or stress
- Psychiatric disorders
- Primary sleep disorders
- Substance abuse
- Medical problems
- Behavioral/Conditional factors
This condition can last for weeks, months, or even years. While some attempt to treat this problem with over-the-counter sleeping pills, this can pose a potential risk. Insomnia is typically a symptom of a bigger problem, which is why it is imperative you seek medical help and a definitive diagnosis so your physician can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and in many cases you may feel incredibly tired, and simply fall asleep or take a short nap. These naps typically last 15 minutes each, but can last longer. Many times, these attacks happen after eating, driving, talking to someone, or during other situations. Some even experience dream-like hallucinations between sleep and wakefulness.
Common symptoms of Narcolepsy include:
- Excessive sleepiness
- Cataplexy (physical weakness with emotion)
- Hypnagogic hallucinations
- Sleep paralysis (occurs upon waking)
- Automatic behavior
- Low concentration
- Occupational/School problems
- Narcolepsy symptoms have been known to appear rapidly, but may also develop slowly over the years. The exact cause of narcolepsy is still unknown, but may possibly be genetic. It is recommended that if you show these symptoms, that you are seen by a sleep specialist.
Many other disorders, such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep apnea can also cause similar symptoms. The professionals at Avilys are happy to help you determine the cause of your symptoms.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) & Periodic Limb Movement (PLM)
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder that makes someone want to move their legs in order to stop unpleasant sensations between the knee and ankle. Many times, Periodic Limb Movements (PLM) are mistaken for RLS, which are rhythmic movements and jerking of the feet or legs.
Common symptoms of RLS and PLM include:
- “Creepy” or “jumpy” legs
- Restless sleep
- Unpleasant sensation during sleep
- Insomnia/Non-refreshing sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Increased activity
- Often times, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) can result in insomnia and other sleep disorders, which can lead to daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression, and delayed thought process.
It is important to seek treatment if you experience RLS or PLM symptoms. The good news is, nearly 90% of patients seeking help see that treatment is highly effective. Contact Avilys today to see how we can help.
Parasomnia
Parasomnias are sleep disorders that disrupt REM sleep cycles by waking the person suddenly and abruptly. Partial arousals from non-REM sleep can also occur.
Common parasomnias include:
- Sleep Walking
- Sleep terrors (pavor nocturnes)
- Nightmares
- Partial seizures
- Violent behavior during sleep
- REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams)
- Because of their disruptive occurrences, Parasomnias can lead to injury, violence, excessive eating, or disturbance of others.
If you or a loved one suffers from similar symptoms you need to contact a medical professional so you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Parasomnia’s can effectively be diagnosed and treated.
Children & Sleep Apnea
If you remember your childhood, you can likely remember when you used to be scared of monsters in the closet, had nightmares, or woke up many times throughout the night. While these are common symptoms for children, many parents don’t realize that their child could be suffering from something more serious: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).
Some examples of childhood sleep problems include:
- Frequent awakening during the night
- Talking during sleep
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking up crying
- Feeling sleepy during the day
- Having nightmares
- Bedwetting
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Waking early
- Children with allergies often suffer from sleep apnea. Allergies may cause excess mucus secretion and swelling of nasal tissues, which makes it harder to breathe, particularly when a child is lying down and the mucus doesn’t drain. If the airway is blocked, it prevents the child from breathing, which wakes him or her up, often coughing and gasping for air.
Children who suffer from sleep apnea can feel tired during the day. It can also lead to developmental problems, depression, difficulty concentrating, and hyperactive behavior (ADD and ADHD). If you suspect your child may be suffering from OSA, consult a professional today.
