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Diagnosing and Treating Sleep Disorders in New Jersey

Many people experience sleep problems at some point in their lives. In fact, about a third of adults in the United States report they get less than the daily amount of recommended sleep. A rough night’s sleep is one thing, but when trouble sleeping becomes consistent, the impact becomes detrimental to daily life. Persistent poor sleep is linked to chronic disease such as diabetes, obesity, and depression. Furthermore, driving while exhausted can have the same lamentable affects as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Consistent, quality sleep matters. The Medical Group of New Jersey aims to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in New Jersey to ensure you get the sleep you need.

What are sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders are a group of conditions that interfere with the normal process of falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting restful sleep. There are several types of disorders along with their own sleep disorders symptoms.

Some common sleep disorders include:

  • Insomnia: difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrefreshed
  • Sleep apnea: a condition in which a person’s breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep
  • Restless leg syndrome: an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, which occurs during periods of inactivity or when trying to sleep
  • Narcolepsy: a disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and the sudden onset of sleep during normal waking hours
  • Periodic limb movement disorder: a condition in which a person experiences repetitive limb movements during sleep
  • REM sleep behavior disorder: a condition in which a person acts out their dreams while they are in the rapid eye movement (REM) stage of sleep

What causes sleep disorders?

Sleep disorders have a variety of causes, including medical conditions, medications, lifestyle factors, and sleep environment. They potentially cause serious consequences to a person’s health and quality of life, so it is important to seek medical evaluation and treatment if you are experiencing symptoms of a sleep disorder.

How are sleep disorders treated?

The treatment of sleep disorders depends on the specific type of disorder and its underlying causes.

Some common sleep disorders treatments include:

  • Lifestyle changes: Making changes to your sleep habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, can often help improve sleep quality.
  • Behavioral therapies: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that may be interfering with sleep.
  • Medications: There are several medications that can be used to treat sleep disorders, including sleep aids, antidepressants, and medications for specific conditions such as sleep apnea.
  • Medical devices: Some sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, may be treated with medical devices such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which help to keep the airway open during sleep.
  • Sleep studies: In some cases, a sleep study may be recommended to help diagnose a sleep disorder and determine the most appropriate treatment. During a sleep study, a person’s sleep is monitored overnight in a sleep lab to assess their sleep patterns and identify any problems.

It is important to work with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific sleep disorder. Contact The Medical Group of New Jersey to ask any questions and to request an appointment.

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