Sleep is vital for good health. Experts recommend a minimum of seven to eight hours of sleep per night for most adults; A lack of sleep can affect your hormone levels, mood, weight and work or school performance and may result in physical, mental, social and emotional problems. Reaching that goal is difficult for many, thanks to the growing prevalence of sleep disorders.
What’s a Sleep Disorder?
Sleep disorders are conditions that prevent you from sleeping well on a regular basis. They are very common, affecting an estimated 75 percent of Americans on a regular basis. There are more than 100 different types of sleep disorders; the most common treated by ENT specialists are:
- Snoring
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Symptoms vary depending on the type of sleep disorder and how severe its impact. A majority of patients report difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, lack of concentration, memory loss, and depression.
Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder that affects one in 15 Americans, with most cases undiagnosed. It occurs when a person experiences one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breathing while asleep. These pauses can last a few seconds to a few minutes. Generally, breathing begins again and is sometimes accompanied by snorting or choking.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Diagnosing and treating a sleep disorder is important in preventing more serious health problems from occurring. Most patients will need to undergo a polysomnography (sleep study), conducted in a sleep lab or at home.
With such a large number of recognized sleep disorders, there are many different causes. Treatment depends on the condition itself. Surgery may be an option for certain breathing-related disorders, such as snoring or OSA.
If you’re experiencing a sleep disorder, your primary care physician may refer you to an ENT specialist.
Call St. Cloud Ear, Nose & Throat for more information or to schedule an appointment.
(320) 252-0233
