WHAT LEADS TO
SLEEP ISSUES

There are times when you toss and turn for several hours but still can’t manage to fall asleep, even if you’re already tired. There are also some cases when you may wake up in the middle of the night and lie awake for hours. Chances are, you’re suffering from insomnia.

Insomnia is a very common sleep disorder. According to the National Sleep Foundation, around 1 in 3 people have at least mild insomnia. This is a serious problem that can take a toll on your mood and energy.

It also affects your ability to function and concentrate during the day. Plus, chronic insomnia can lead to more serious health problems such as anxiety, diabetes, and heart failure.

Sleep apnea is a serious disorder that often goes unnoticed. The symptoms occur during sleep and are usually recognized by a partner or spouse who shares a bed with the undiagnosed sleep apnea patient.

It’s vital to seek a professional diagnosis and treatment for sleep apnea because it can lead to devastating health issues such as heart disease, strokes, and type II diabetes. You may also feel fatigued throughout the day and lose motivation to exercise or spend time with people you love.

The disorder wreaks havoc on your life by blocking your airway while you sleep, causing oxygen deprivation. Your body will wake you up briefly so you can breathe, interrupting your sleep and preventing you from reaching deep, restorative sleep cycles.

Before benign snoring can progress into sleep apnea, it first develops into Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). It is estimated that 15% of the population in the United States are suffering from this problem.

UARS occurs when your breathing effort changes from simple and harmless snoring to a possible troublesome disorder. Snoring can be an indication that there’s a resistance occurring in your upper respiratory system. The greater the resistance is, the higher the breathing effort is to get past that resistance.

The causes of UARS and OSA are similar. UARS can be caused by the fatty tissues in your throat resulting in the blockage of your airway or the collapsing of the tongue while you sleep. However, compared to OSA, people with UARS need more effort to overcome the obstructions.

Not all people who suffer from UARS snore, but the symptoms of this disorder may sound like labored breathing while sleeping. UARS often starts as a harmless problem, but it’s important to take note that it can eventually progress to OSA if left untreated.

Does your joint pain keep you staying up late at night? You’re not alone. The majority of people with chronic joint pain don’t sleep well at night. If you’re suffering from shoulder pain, knee pain, or back pain, it can affect the quality and quantity of your sleep.

Joint pain and stiffness that keep you up all night can trap you in a vicious cycle and make it more challenging for you to get some shut-eye. As a result, pain and insomnia can dominate your life.

If you’re not getting enough sleep because of joint pain, sleep deprivation can also lead to more health issues such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The good news is that there are simple measures to help you sleep faster and stay asleep longer even if you’re suffering from insomnia and joint pain.

At our practice, we’ve brought multiple sleep experts together to look at all angles of your sleep problems. Together, we can pinpoint the issues you’re having and locate the source, then provide effective solutions.

To begin your journey to better sleep, contact our office by calling (410) 964-3118 or by filling out our online contact form. We’re here to answer your questions and help you learn more about sleep disorders.