Sleep Disorders

Approximately 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders present a wide range of symptoms, but they’re characterized by poor sleep. At Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group, the team diagnoses and treats sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. To make an appointment, call the office in Fairfax, Virginia, or book online today.

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that keep you from falling or staying asleep. Without intervention and treatment, sleep disorders can cause daytime sleepiness, increasing your risk of accidents and injuries. They may even make you more susceptible to certain health problems, like heart disease.

If you spend most nights tossing and turning and at-home treatments don’t provide relief, contact the team at Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group immediately.

What are the symptoms of sleep disorders?

Symptoms of sleep disorders include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irregular breathing
• An irregular sleep/wake cycle
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Trouble focusing or paying attention
• Snoring

You might also have a sleep disorder if you wake up most mornings with a headache, a dry mouth, or a sore throat.

What are the types of sleep disorders?

At Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group, the team treats several types of sleep disorders, including:

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. Almost everyone experiences insomnia occasionally, but if it occurs frequently, you might have an underlying health problem, like an anxiety disorder or chronic pain.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects your brain’s ability to control sleep and wakefulness. If you have narcolepsy, you might suddenly fall asleep during a conversation or while driving. Most people with narcolepsy develop symptoms when they’re between the ages of 15-25.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS)

Restless leg syndrome causes an intense urge to twitch or reposition your legs when you’re lying down. Changing positions might provide relief for a few minutes, but with RLS, an itchy or tingling sensation always returns.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea causes you to stop breathing multiple times during sleep. That causes you to wake up gasping for air. Without treatment, sleep apnea increases your risk of more serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

How are sleep disorders diagnosed?

At Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group, the team diagnoses sleep disorders by conducting a sleep study.

During a sleep study, you spend the night at the hospital or a polysomnogram clinic. A sleep study monitors various factors throughout the night, including your eye movements, brain and muscle activity, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen levels.

The next morning, your Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group provider reviews and interprets the results of your test and makes treatment recommendations.

How are sleep disorders treated?

Treatment for sleep disorders depends on several factors, including your age and the severity of the symptoms. The team at Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group might recommend:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (counseling)
• Medications or nutritional supplements
• Improved sleep hygiene
• Regular exercise
• Lowering the temperature in your bedroom
• Sleeping in a darker room

To explore the treatment options for sleep disorders, make an appointment at Northern Virginia Psychiatric Group by calling the office or booking online today.