If an occasional night of poor sleep visits you, it’s usually not that serious — maybe your way of addressing it is drinking that extra coffee the next day, getting some fresh air when you feel sleepy, or another short-term coping strategy.
If your sleep isn’t high-quality on a regular basis, however, this can wreak havoc on your overall health.
Unfortunately, it’s estimated that about 50-70 million Americans live with a sleep disorder, but how do you know if you’re being affected by one? There are a wide range of symptoms to watch out for, some of which may surprise you.
At Houston Neurological Institute, our talented provider team offers real help if you’re living with a sleep disorder. With an accurate diagnosis and solid treatment plan, you can return to feeling rested, energetic, and fully alive again.
We’re proudly equipped with an onsite sleep center where you stay overnight and we test you for a range of sleep disorders. Patients benefit from the help of board-certified sleep experts, who provide diverse testing for various disorders, as well as guidance on sleep monitors designed for home use.
The information your sleep study reveals lays the groundwork for your personalized treatment plan.
Sleep apnea is caused by the relaxation of the soft tissues located at the back of your throat. They obstruct your windpipe, making it impossible to breathe for brief periods. Thankfully, your brain registers the breathing problem, but you’re awakened each time you start breathing again. These disruptions can happen as many as 30 — or even more — times per hour.
With insomnia, you may be able to fall asleep, but then you awaken during the night and, try as you might, you can’t go back to sleep.
Restless leg syndrome keeps you from falling asleep because discomfort in your legs produces a strong urge to move them at bedtime.
Living with narcolepsy means that you can fall asleep during the day, even if you’re in the middle of a conversation or task.
Finally, nocturnal seizures are frightening for people living with epilepsy, some of whom only experience seizures (abnormal electrical activity in the brain) when sleeping.
With our busy lives, it’s easy to push past chronic exhaustion and just treat it like the new normal. It’s wise, however, to take stock of how you sleep each night — as well as how “with it” you are during the day.
If you wonder whether you’re affected by a sleep disorder, scan this list of symptoms. If they describe your reality, it’s time to make an appointment with a Houston Neurological Institute provider and get fully evaluated.
If you’re not sleeping well at night, you’ll likely find yourself excessively tired during the day. Think dozing off at your desk or struggling to stay awake during your child’s soccer match.
This is frustrating because you’re unable to perform at your peak at the very time you want to.
Believe it or not, you could be eating right and exercising, but if you’re not getting sufficient rest, it could cause you to put on pounds.
Research has shown that a shortage of good sleep is associated with an increase in production of ghrelin, or the “hunger hormone,” and a decrease in the satiety hormone, leptin, which leads you to eat more.
These hormonal fluctuations are also linked to opting for less healthy foods.
Low-quality rest is linked with many health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, dementia, and decreased libido. If you’ve been diagnosed with any of these conditions, take a look at how well you’re sleeping.
When you sleep poorly, it affects your mood, making you grumpy and depressed. You might also notice that you have problems focusing and staying on task.
If you’re experiencing these symptoms and believe you may be dealing with a sleep disorder, we can help. For those with obstructive sleep apnea, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device can restore your rest, while cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can help those coping with persistent insomnia.
We also offer valuable education about proper sleep hygiene, habits that promote healthy sleep. These include developing a soothing nighttime winddown routine, like enjoying a cup of tea, keeping your bedroom at an optimum temperature, and signing off electronic devices a few hours before bedtime.
Reach out to our Pearland or Pasadena office to get relief if you can’t remember the last time you got a good night’s sleep, or book an appointment with us online.
