Did you know that around 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems annually, with an additional 20 million suffering from occasional sleep problems each year? The problems are so widespread, that there is an entire sub-specialty of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, as well as other problems related to restful sleep. If you are not sleeping well, or resting deeply, you may need to visit a sleep medicine doctor to pinpoint the underlying cause of your sleep disturbances.
Sleep disorders might not seem like that big of a deal, but studies have shown that problems with sleep can become a public health issue, as it can affect both daily tasks such as driving and operating machinery, as well as lead to higher risks of other disorders and diseases. Plenty of research has shown strong links between a lack of sleep and diabetes, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, certain neurological disorders, and other chronic disorders.
Besides contributing to disease, being sleep deprived can also make it harder to deal with chronic pain. Chronic pain conditions also affect sleep, which can create a vicious cycle of not enough rest where tissues can relax enough to lower inflammation levels, thereby extending the pain cycle. Below are some warning signs that you may need to be evaluated by a qualified sleep medicine doctor.
Reasons to see a sleep medicine doctor
1. An excessive feeling of tiredness: we all feel tired sometimes, but if you find yourself feeling excessively tired, especially after you have had around eight hours of sleep, this could be an indication that you might have a sleep problem. This warning should especially be heeded if you find yourself falling asleep at work, during meetings, behind the wheel, or during other important situations.
2. Inability to fall asleep: insomnia is defined as the persistent problem of either falling asleep or staying asleep. It could be caused by various underlying problems, but it should be taken very seriously, as not getting enough sleep can be a serious strain on your health.
3. Stops in breathing during sleep: when a person stops breathing during sleep, it’s a common indication that they have sleep apnea. There are various causes and treatments for sleep apnea, and it’s very important to seek help for this problem.
4. Snoring: snoring is a widespread problem that will often affect others more than ourselves. Snoring can put a serious strain on relationships, and can cause problems for other people trying to sleep. Luckily, a sleep medicine doctor would be able to help you by discussing possible causes and treatments for your snoring.
5. inability to stay asleep: like number two on this list, frequent waking during the night can indicate insomnia, though of a different type. This type of insomnia, which deals with the inability to stay asleep, is called maintenance insomnia. Sleep medicine doctors can conduct sleep studies, and other tests which may reveal both the cause of the insomnia and the solution.
If you’re suffering from a sleep disorder or you would like to learn more about sleep medicine, or to find out more about Dr. Oseni, a certified pulmonologist and sleep specialist, please call (817) 549-9993 today. You can also contact us online at mailto:info@lungandsleepspecialists.com
