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Sleep Disorders and Symptoms for Roane

Sleep disorders affect millions of people in the United States, most of whom do not realize they suffer from one.

Man laying down on a table with hands on his chest to be examined

Sleep Disorders and Symptoms

Sleep disorders affect millions of people in the United States, most of whom do not realize they suffer from one. If you think you may suffer from a sleep disorder, contact your primary care physician for a referral to Covenant Health Roane.

Woman in bed staring at old fashioned alarm clock.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Chronic Fatigue

If you experience this disorder, you likely have an ongoing feeling of tiredness, malaise, sleepiness, boredom, or depression. Chronic fatigue has various causes and is sometimes associated with a sleep disorder.

Insomnia

The most common sleep disorder, insomnia, is described as the inability to initiate or maintain sleep. If you struggle with insomnia, you may also experience daytime fatigue and sleepiness. 

Insomnia can often be the result of stress, illness, environmental factors, or other conditions that throw off a normal sleep schedule.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

This disorder occurs when air cannot flow in or out of a person’s nose or mouth during sleep, although efforts to breathe continue. 

OSA is caused by mechanical and structural problems in the airway that cause interruptions in breathing. These problems may arise when the throat muscles and tongue relax or when there’s an excessive amount of tissue in the airway. 

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may suffer from choking sensations during sleep, and you most likely  snore between apnea episodes.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy manifests itself through excessive daytime sleepiness, uncontrollable sleep attacks, and muscle weakness triggered by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter or fear. If you have narcolepsy, you may also experience vivid dream-like scenes or paralysis upon falling asleep or waking.

Parasomnias

This disorder may include nightmares, chest pain, night terrors, sleepwalking, and sleep talking. It most commonly occurs in childhood and sometimes worsens during adolescence and adulthood.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS is a neurological-movement disorder characterized by abnormal, uncomfortable, creepy-crawling sensations in your legs that typically occur or worsen while you are at rest. 

If you have RLS, the discomfort in your legs most likely results in constant movement of the legs, preventing a restful sleep.

Sleep/Wake Cycle Disorders

These disorders are accompanied by symptoms of insomnia or sleepiness at inappropriate times and are commonly associated with patients who work rotating schedules, suffer from jet lag, or have insufficient sleep syndrome. 

If you live with a sleep/wake cycle disorder, it can become progressive and chronic. Fortunately, however, it can be treated with medication and therapy.

Let Us Help You Get a Good Night’s Sleep

If you suspect that you suffer from a sleep disorder, talk with your primary care physician about your concerns and ask for a referral to Covenant Health Roane’s Sleep Center. 

You deserve a good night’s rest, and we would love to help.

A not-for-profit, community-owned healthcare system

We are committed to improving the quality of life in East Tennessee through better health. In partnership with our generous donors, Covenant’s 10,000+ employees, physicians, and volunteers are providing outstanding care for our patients and their families.

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