Different sleep disorders prevent you from getting quality rest, leading to issues like daytime sleepiness and dysfunction. A medical professional can manage and treat these health conditions, depending on what symptoms you’re experiencing. Here are some sleep-related issues and how they can be treated:
Insomnia
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disorders that occurs when you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. To manage insomnia, a healthcare provider uses cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors related to sleep. This form of therapy teaches you relaxation exercises like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety before bedtime. To provide short-term relief from insomnia, a doctor prescribes medications, such as benzodiazepines, that help you fall asleep within a short time. Some medications contain mimic melatonin, which is a natural hormone that regulates the periods you wake up and sleep.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea disrupts breathing during sleep, which can make individuals tired and give them headaches during the day. This disorder is managed using a continuous positive airway pressure machine, which delivers air through a mask worn during sleep. Also known as CPAP, this device is suitable for controlling moderate to severe sleep apnea and reduces snoring and daytime tiredness. A medical professional can also prescribe custom-made dental devices that reposition the jaw and tongue to keep the airway open at night. If your sleep apnea worsens, a doctor may perform surgery to remove or reduce the excess tissue in the throat that blocks the airway.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy causes excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep, called sleep attacks. Stimulant medications like modafinil can be prescribed to help you stay more alert during the day. When you take these drugs, they decrease the frequency of sleep attacks, improving your ability to stay awake. Some antidepressants help manage sudden muscle weakness and improve control over sleep-related symptoms like vivid dreams or sleep paralysis. Since excessive daytime sleepiness is a sign of narcolepsy, planning short naps at regular intervals can help improve wakefulness.
Restless Leg Syndrome
People with restless leg syndrome experience a tingling or prickly sensation in their legs when they try to fall asleep. A healthcare provider may offer dopaminergic agents to control movement and reduce the uncomfortable sensations associated with this sleep disorder. Some anti-seizure medications calm overactive nerves, which may play a role in the abnormal sensations and nerve pain. To promote nerve function and blood circulation, a doctor may recommend gentle stretching and walking to focus on muscles affected by this issue. Massaging your legs before bed helps relax the muscles and reduces the urge to move them when falling asleep.
Get Proper Treatment for Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders can be treated using different methods, such as lifestyle changes, medications, and specific therapies. A sleep disorder professional will make a diagnosis before recommending treatment to lessen your symptoms. To improve your sleeping patterns, call a trusted clinic today to learn more about the available remedies.