Sleep Disorders Specialist

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders affect your ability to sleep and prevent you from experiencing all the benefits of restful sleep. Some of the sleep disorders Dr. Tesfaye sees include:

Sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the soft tissues at the back of your throat relax too much during sleep, so they block your windpipe. Each time this happens, your brain wakes you, so you start breathing again.

Central sleep apnea is a neurological disorder in which your brain isn't controlling your breathing when you sleep. You can also have complex sleep apnea, which is a combination of both central and obstructive forms.

Each waking incident typically lasts only briefly, but it can happen multiple times every night. The continual interruption in oxygen supply and constant waking can seriously affect both physical and mental health.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a common problem in which you can't fall asleep, or when you do sleep, you wake again after a short time. Insomnia is frustrating and debilitating, as no matter how desperately you want to sleep, you can't.

Narcolepsy

If you have narcolepsy, you'll find you fall asleep without warning, even if you're engaged in an activity.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) makes your legs feel uncomfortable, so you move them continually. This makes it hard to fall asleep.

Nocturnal seizures

Nocturnal seizures affect people with epilepsy when changes occur in the brain's electrical function during certain stages of the sleep-wake cycle. Some people only have seizures when they're asleep. 

Why are sleep disorders harmful to my health?

Anything that stops you from spending enough time in each stage of sleep can increase your risk of suffering various psychological and physical problems, including:

• Weight gain
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Loss of libido
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Irritability and angry outbursts

Lack of sleep and poor quality sleep deprive your body of the opportunity to repair itself and restore mental and physical vitality. It can even shorten your lifespan.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Dr. Tesfaye recommends different treatments for sleep disorders depending on their cause and how badly they're affecting your sleep. Possible methods include:

• Sleep hygiene education
• CBT-i (cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia)
• Central nervous system stimulants (modafinil)
• Amphetamine-like stimulants (methylphenidate)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Behavioral strategies
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices

You might require one or several treatments to overcome problems like excessive daytime sleepiness as well as the underlying cause of your sleep disorder.

To get expert help for your sleep disorder, call Atlanta Neuro Care today, or book an appointment online.