Our Services
Sleep Center
Sleep Disorders & Symptoms
These brief descriptions introduce most of the sleep disorders that we treat at the Stevens Sleep Center.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a debilitating, often life-threatening condition that affects as many as 23 percent of men and 9 percent of women. Typically occurring in people who snore, sleep apnea results from obstruction of the upper airway, most often at the base of the tongue, in which a person's breathing stops during sleep in intervals that may last from 10 seconds to a minute or longer.
These “apnic events,” which can occur as frequently as 60 times or more per hour or up to 400 times a night, disrupt healthy sleep and cause a number of short-term and long-lasting effects that threaten a person's health and well-being.
The most common symptoms of sleep apnea are:
- Loud snoring.
- Excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness.
- High blood pressure.
- Depression.
- Obesity.
- Falling asleep easily and sometimes at inappropriate times.
- A large neck.
- Morning headaches.
- Sexual dysfunction.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Poor judgment or concentration.
- Irritability.
- Memory loss.
Health Risks Associated with Sleep Apnea
High blood pressure, Sleep apnea increases a person's risk of developing high blood pressure, and high blood pressure is the primary risk factor for congestive heart failure and stroke—two of the biggest killers in the U.S. About 83 percenet of people who take more than two drugs for their high blood pressure have sleep apnea. Effective treatment of sleep apnea reduces blood pressure both day and night.
Congestive heart failure (CHF), People with untreated sleep apnea are more likely to develop heart disease, especially congestive heart failure (CHF). Approximately 50 percent of people with CHF have sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea in CHF patients has definite benefits. Positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy improves the heart's ability to do its job and improves the overall health and well-being of the patient.
Diabetes, People with diabetes often have sleep-disordered breathing, and while both problems increase a person's risk of heart disease, the combination of the two puts people at even higher risk.
Up to 65 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have sleep apnea. Diabetes has become a leading concern for public health professionals in the U.S. It affects more than 18 million Americans and has become the fourth leading cause of death by disease. It also increases a person's risk of developing heart disease, another leading cause of death. Recent studies show that people who snore regularly are more likely to develop diabetes.
Stroke, Up to 60 percent of those who have had a stroke also have sleep apnea. Many researchers believe that untreated sleep apnea may increase your risk for stroke. As with hypertension and CHF, the type of stress that sleep apnea puts on your body may lead to a stroke. The National Stroke Association recommends that all acute stroke patients be screened for sleep apnea.
Overweight, Obesity is one of the most significant risk factors for sleep apnea. Researchers estimate that more than 40 percent of the obese U.S. population suffers from sleep apnea. Patients recently diagnosed with sleep apnea often report recent weight gain, indicating sleep apnea may contribute to obesity. Researchers also believe that sleep apnea and obesity contribute to each other, leading to a progression in severity for both.
Always tired, You may be too tired, so check your level of sleepiness. Being tired is more than a nuisance. Excessive daytime sleepiness is dangerous. Sleepiness increases your risk of traffic and work-related accidents, and it can have negative effects on your personal relationships, work performance and psychological health. People with untreated sleep apnea are up to seven times more likely to have an automobile accident than those that do not have sleep apnea.
Insomnia
Insomnia is defined as an inability to fall asleep or an inability to stay asleep. It affects one-third of the population at some point in their lives, with roughly one-third of these people experiencing chronic insomnia. A variety of psychological and physiological factors can cause insomnia. The disorder may be worsened by consuming alcohol, stimulants such as caffeine or amphetamines, or certain drugs or medications.
Movement Disorders
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are two common movement disorders. Movement disorders often either prevent or disrupt sleep. PLMD affects people only during sleep. RLS affects people while they are awake.
RLS is characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs while awake, and it is marked by uncomfortable leg sensations that occur continually while the body is at rest. It may be a central nervous system disorder and occasionally is associated with iron-deficiency anemia, pregnancy or diabetes.
RLS is the basic cause of sleep deprivation for up to an estimated 4 million adult Americans. RLS is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:
- The urge to move the legs, which is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in the foot, calf or upper leg.
- The need to move the legs to relieve discomfort—by stretching, bending or rubbing the legs, tossing or turning in bed, or getting up and pacing the floor.
- A worsening of discomfort when lying down, especially when trying to fall asleep at night.
- A tendency to experience the most discomfort late in the day and at night
- Continula nighttime sleep disruption.
- Daytime fatigue.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive sleepiness during the day and interrupted sleep at night. It affects roughly one in 2,000 people. While very debilitating, narcolepsy is highly treatable.
Circadian Rhythm Disruption
More than 25 million Americans have nontraditional work schedules, and many of these people have difficulty sleeping during the day and staying alert on the job at night. Shift workers' struggles are biologically based. Their sleep and work schedules conflict with their biological clocks.
The biological clock, or circadian rhythm, is the fluctuation of sleep-wake states. This fluctuation is generally linked to the 24-hour, daily dark-light cycle. Shift workers attempt to sleep when their bodies tell them to be awake, which often results in chronic sleep loss.
Shift workers are more likely than people who keep "traditional" work schedules to experience:
- Memory and concentration difficulties and impaired job performance.
- Stomach problems (especially heartburn and indigestion).
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Colds and flu.
- Weight gain.
- High blood pressure and heart problems.
- Workplace and automobile accidents.
Other Sleep Disorders
We also diagnose and treat night terrors, sleepwalking, REM behavior disorders and other sleep-related disorders.
