Despite being a universal necessity among living species, sleep is a part
of life that is often taken for granted. As human beings, we can expect
to spend, on average, one third of our lives asleep. The NIH estimates
that between 50-70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, and
that one in three Americans do not get the recommended amount of uninterrupted
sleep needed to support their health.
In addition to the obvious impact on quality of life that poor sleep quality
results in, studies have shown that it can also have a serious impact
on a person’s health, and in some instances can contribute to conditions
that can, actually, lead prematurely to death.
Sleep disorders have actually been linked to many medical conditions
While insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are the most widely recognized,
the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) defines seven
classifications of sleep disorder:
Insomnia
Sleep-related breathing disorders
Central disorders of hypersomnolence
Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders
Parasomnias
Sleep-related movement disorders
Other sleep disorders
Within these seven classifications, there are well over 50 specific different
diagnoses that can be identified, creating a significant degree of variability,
and requiring numerous methods for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Sleep disorders have a variety of causes. In some instances, aspects of
a person’s lifestyle, such as their occupation and the hours they
work, behaviors that may unintentionally impact their sleep habits, dietary
factors, social stressors, substance use or abuse, medications, or other
factors may be having an impact on their ability to sleep or the quality
of sleep that they are getting.
Physical factors such as obesity, lung disease, or other anatomic features
may lead to obstructed breathing during sleep. This causes a drop in the
amount of oxygen in the blood, leading to worse sleep quality and persistent
daytime fatigue.
Certain neurologic conditions or injuries, like a concussion, may lead
to increased sleep, persistent fatigue, or may interrupt the signal to
breath in one’s brain while they asleep. Other neurologic conditions
may result in acting out dreams or in persistent limb movements during
sleep, which can lead to restless, poor quality sleep.
The evaluation of a sleep disorder begins with a thorough history, physical
exam, review of medications, and discussion of lifestyle and behavioral
factors that may be impacting sleep. Additional studies, such as a polysomnogram,
or “sleep study”, may be performed to diagnose certain disorders
and determine their severity. Blood tests may be obtained to look for
specific medical conditions that may impact sleep or may contribute to
feelings of fatigue. Depending on the diagnosis, behavioral interventions
or modifications, devices such as a CPAP or oral appliance, medications,
cognitive or emotional services, or in rare instances surgical interventions
may be recommended to treat a sleep disorder.
Here at the LCMC Health Neuroscience Institute, your sleep specialist will
work with a multidisciplinary team that may include members from Internal
Medicine, Gerontology, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pulmonary Medicine,
Psychiatry, and/or Otolaryngology to identify the causes of your sleep
disorder and put together a treatment plan that will have you on the path
to a more restful nights sleep and, by extension, a healthier life.
