What Are Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders encompass a range of conditions that disrupt your normal sleep patterns, leading to daytime fatigue, impaired functioning, and reduced quality of life. Common types include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders.

Common Types

• Insomnia: Difficulty falling or staying asleep at least three nights per week for three months or longer.

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Repeated airway blockage during sleep, causing loud snoring and gasping awakenings.

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS): Uncomfortable leg sensations relieved only by movement, often interfering with sleep onset.

• Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness with sudden sleep attacks, often accompanied by cataplexy (muscle weakness).

• Circadian Rhythm Disorders: Misalignment between your internal clock and the external environment (e.g., shift work disorder, delayed sleep phase).

Signs & Symptoms

• Daytime: Persistent tiredness, difficulty concentrating, irritability, mood disturbances

• Nighttime: Trouble falling or staying asleep, loud snoring or gasping, leg discomfort, sudden muscle weakness

• Behavioral: Falling asleep unintentionally during activities, accidents or near-misses while driving

Causes & Risk Factors

• Lifestyle Factors: Irregular sleep schedule, caffeine or alcohol late in the day, electronic device use before bed

• Medical Conditions: Chronic pain, asthma, heart disease, neurological disorders

• Medications: Antidepressants, stimulants, certain blood pressure drugs

• Genetics & Age: Family history of sleep disorders, hormonal changes, aging-related sleep architecture shifts

• Environmental: Noisy or uncomfortable sleep environment, shift work, frequent time-zone changes

Diagnosis & Assessment

A comprehensive sleep evaluation by our licensed providers may include:

1. Clinical Interview: Discussion of sleep history, daytime symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits.

2. Sleep Diaries & Questionnaires: Tools such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to quantify sleep quality.

3. Physical Exam: Assess for anatomical contributors to airway obstruction or other medical issues.

4. Diagnostic Testing:

   • Polysomnography (Sleep Study): Monitors brain waves, oxygen levels, heart rate, and breathing during sleep.

   • Home Sleep Apnea Testing: Simplified breathing and oxygen monitoring.

5. Collateral Input: With your permission, feedback from bed partners or family members regarding nocturnal behaviors.

Treatment & Management

1. Behavioral Interventions

   • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I): Addresses unhelpful sleep beliefs and behaviors.

   • Sleep Hygiene Education: Consistent bedtime routine, optimized bedroom environment, limiting stimulants.

2. Medical Treatments

   • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): First-line for moderate to severe sleep apnea.

   • Medications:

     • Hypnotics for short-term insomnia relief

     • Dopaminergic agents for RLS (e.g., pramipexole)

     • Sodium oxybate or stimulants for narcolepsy

3. Lifestyle & Self-Help

   • Regular exercise (early in the day)

   • Relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery)

   • Limiting screen time 1–2 hours before bedtime

Helpful Resources

• American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)
  https://aasm.org/

• National Sleep Foundation
  https://www.sleepfoundation.org/

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (Sleep Apnea)
  https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sleep-apnea

• Sleep Education by AASM
  https://sleepeducation.org/

• Local Sleep Specialists

  • Book a Sleep Evaluation: https://fortifiedmindsgroup.com/contact

  • Virginia Providers: https://fortifiedmindsgroup.com/va-providers

  • New York Providers: https://fortifiedmindsgroup.com/ny-providers