Diagnosing Sleep Difficulties

3/11/2023

By Carlos M. Llanes, M.D., medical director of the Laredo Medical Center Sleep Center

World Sleep Day is March 17 - raising awareness of how sleep is important for your health. Lack of sleep is a widespread problem in America, affecting not only our mental alertness, mood and ability to focus during the day, but also our long-term health. Chronic, long-term sleep disorders affect more than 50 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health – and an additional 20 to 30 million people have occasional sleeping problems.

Stress-related insomnia, sleep disorders, lifestyle habits and the failure to establish and maintain a regular routine are all to blame. Getting enough sleep is an essential part of keeping the body healthy and avoiding chronic disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), insufficient sleep contributes to the development of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. Getting a good night’s sleep is especially difficult if you suffer from a sleep disorder.

The most common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia – difficulty falling and remaining asleep
• Sleep apnea – or the interruption of breathing during sleep
• Restless legs syndrome – aches and pains in the legs that make it difficult to fall asleep and remain asleep
• Narcolepsy – excessive daytime sleepiness that sometimes results in “sleep attacks,” sudden and unpredictable episodes of sleep during the day.

Who’s At Risk?
Sleep problems can affect anyone, at any age. However, certain conditions or risk factors may make getting a good night’s sleep more difficult:

• Gender
• Middle age (age 40 and up)
• A large neck circumference (17 inches or more for men; 16 inches or more for women)
• Large tonsils or tongue, or a small jaw bone
• A family history of sleep apnea
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Nasal obstruction due to allergies, sinus problems, or a deviated septum

Men are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea, according to health experts; however, women have two to three times the risk of insomnia, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). One reason that sleep apnea may be diagnosed more often in men, according to the NSF, is that sleep apnea in women is commonly misdiagnosed as depression, diabetes, hypertension, hypochondria or several other health conditions. Sleep in women is also influenced by the menstrual cycle, biological life stage, stress level, health, mood, parental status, work hours and other life responsibilities.

As we age, sleep patterns change and sleep problems become even more common. A person may sleep less, experience fragmented sleep – dozing and waking in irregular patterns – or have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. These changes may also be caused by a chronic illness or medication. Also, as we age, our bodies produce less of the chemicals and hormones that help us sleep well, such as growth hormone and melatonin.

Diagnosing Sleep Disturbances
If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, or experiencing daytime drowsiness, a sleep study can diagnose potential disorders and help with treatment. A sleep study is performed in a controlled environment while you sleep and is supervised by medical professionals trained in sleep disorders. Your body is observed and monitored to see what occurs during sleep, from snoring to halted breathing.

Treatment
If you have a sleep disorder, it’s important to seek diagnosis and treatment. Treatment may be as simple as lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, or taking certain medications such as a topical nasal decongestant.

Other treatment options may include surgery or the use of medical devices to help you breathe easier and sleep better. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is commonly prescribed for people with moderate to severe sleep apnea. Consisting of a mask and air machine, a CPAP device delivers a steady, gentle stream of air, to keep the tissues of the nose and throat open during sleep. Other helpful devices are a humidifier in the bedroom, or special pillows to promote proper sleeping positions.

If you or your partner have symptoms of a sleep disorder, talk with your doctor about participating in a sleep study. To learn more, visit www.laredomedical.com/sleep-care or call (956) 796-4545.

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