Sleep Disorders

If you are sleeping 7-8 hours per night but are still extremely tired, you may have one of the following sleep disorders:

Sleep Apnea & Snoring

Sleep apnea is as common as adult diabetes, afflicting more than 12 million Americans. The afflicted person will snore loudly, often waking up their partner, and will frequently stop breathing. The brain triggers the person to wake up enough to resume breathing. This can occur hundreds of times during the night, although it is not usually remembered in the morning. Consequently, the primary symptom is daytime sleepiness, in addition to a sleepy partner.*
* American Sleep Apnea Association and National Institutes of Health

Narcolepsy

This condition is characterized by frequent, uncontrollable urges to sleep at inappropriate times—such as at work, driving or engaged in other activities. Narcoleptics might experience hallucinations, terrifying dreams or a brief sense of paralysis at the onset of sleep. It is a lifelong medical disorder that responds well to treatment.

Insomnia

Most people have experienced some insomnia, which is the inability to sleep. True insomniacs, however, regularly have a problem getting to sleep or staying asleep. Causes can be psychological (depression), environmental (excessive noise) or the result of various health issues.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

People with PLMD (nocturnal myoclonus) experience involuntary muscle spasms in their arms or legs that can range from the barely visible to wild kicking and flailing. This disorder can result in fatigue, sleepiness and insomnia.

Parasomnias

These clinical disorders are physical in nature and include:

• Nightmares, which are frightening and afflict any age group.
• Night terrors, which usually occur in youg children who suddenly wake up screaming or  crying.
• Sleepwalking, sleep talking and bedwetting, which also occur in children.

Parasomnias can be evaluated at the Covenant HealthCare Sleep Center to determine if the cause is benign or a symptom of sleep-related epileptic seizures.

If you have a problem with sleep, it’s time to wake up, talk to your physician and call the Center at 989.583.2930—you can rest assured with the Covenant HealthCare Sleep Center.