Sleep Disorders
The Arizona Medical Sleep Institute provides Diagnostic Polysomnography testing for all major sleep disorders.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Narcolepsy
- Insomnia
- Do you snore loudly?
- Have you been told that you stop breathing or gasp for breath during sleep?
- Do you feel worn out or tired when you wake up after a night of sleep?
- Do you frequently wake up with morning headaches?
This disorder is characterized by repetitive episodes of upper airway obstruction usually associated with loud snoring and periodic cessation of breathing. Airway obstruction is often caused by excess tissue in the back of the throat that relaxes and collapses during sleep.
Sleep apnea requires immediate evaluation since it can cause serious medical problems. It is associated with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, irregular heart rhythms, congestive heart failure and stroke. Other effects of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness that impairs mental function and can result in work or automobile accidents.
The mainstay of treatment for sleep apnea is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. A comfortable mask is placed over the nose and the machine is set to provide a level of pressure that maintains an open airway. Patients often report a dramatic increase in daytime alertness and energy after just a few nights on CPAP. Most insurance companies pay for the leasing or purchasing of the CPAP equipment.
Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Do you have an almost irresistible need to move your legs at night? Is it difficult to keep your legs still?
- Do you get uncomfortable sensations in your legs such as a “creepy or crawly feeling”? Is this relieved by getting up and walking?
- Have you been observed to kick your legs during sleep?
Restless Leg Syndrome is characterized by unpleasant sensations most commonly in the legs or feet which is temporarily relieved by moving the limbs. Symptoms increase in the evening hours especially when the person is lying down and remaining still. This causes fragmentation of sleep and is often associated with periodic limb movements.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder is characterized by repeated, rhythmic jerking or twitching movements in the legs. These movements occur every 20 – 90 seconds. Most people do not recognize that this is happening during their sleep, and consequently, feel as though they hadn’t slept at all.
- Do you have episodes of uncontrollable sleepiness that improves with a short nap?
- Do you ever feel you are paralyzed as you fall asleep or upon awakening?
- Do you experience episodes of muscular weakness brought on by sudden emotion?
- Does it regularly take longer than 1 hour to fall asleep at night?
- Do you get frustrated or anxious about not being able to sleep at night?
- Do you wake up at night and can’t fall back to sleep?
- Are able to fall asleep on the couch but can not sleep when you go into your room?
There are two major types of insomnia, acute and chronic. Acute insomnia is often caused by emotional or physical discomfort. Some examples include significant life stress, acute illness, or environmental disturbances such as noise, light and temperature. Chronic insomnia is defined as difficulty sleeping at least three nights a week for more than one month. It includes difficulty falling asleep, maintaining sleep or waking too early in the morning.
There are many causes of chronic insomnia but almost half are due to medical, neurological or mood and anxiety disorders. Other causes are prescription and non-prescription drugs that can lead to wakefulness and poor quality sleep. Insomnia is also related to other specific sleep disorders that cause sleep fragmentation.
