Sleep Disorders

Sleep is an integral part of human existence. We spend a third of our lives sleeping. Sleep influences our physical, psychological and social well being. About 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disturbance which may be comprised of a broad range of problems. Many sleep disorders may be related to the following:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • A compromised immune system and slower healing
  • Poor mental and emotional health
  • Lack of smooth functioning of the body
  • Decreased productivity
  • A negative mood, irritability
  • Low energy
  • Unclear thinking, lack of concentration
  • Slower reaction time
  • Oxygen deprivation
  • Insomnia, restless sleep
  • Heart disease, heart failure, or heart abnormalities such as arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
  • Stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension), and other cardiovascular system problems
  • Type II diabetes
  • Cognitive impairment: memory problems, learning difficulties, and lack of attention
  • Rapid weight gain and obesity
  • Impotence, sexual dysfunction, or reduced libido
  • Morning headaches
  • Depression
  • Sevenfold increase in involvement in auto accidents
  • Premature death, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

 Alamo Sleep Disorders Center has the facilities and professional expertise to evaluate the full range of sleep disorders.

Common Sleep Disorders

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most serious sleep disorder, is periodic obstruction of the upper airway during sleep and has a prevalence rate of three to eight percent. Periods of apnea can last up to 90 seconds and may occur several hundred times per night. OSA is the most common medical cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and is more common in men.

Symptoms of OSA are listed below.

  • Loud, habitual snoring
  • Pauses in breathing during sleep
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Irritability/Personality changes
  • Obesity
  • Choking/Gasping/snorts during sleep
  • Hypertension
  • Non-refreshing sleep/inability to wake up
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Memory and concentration problems
  • Morning headaches
  • Upper airway abnormalities
  • Frequent napping
  • Nocturnal Angina/Arrhythmias
  • Frequent awakenings
  • Sexual problems

Diagnosis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea should be made by pertinent history, physical examination, oximetry and polysomnography. Most people benefit from appropriate evaluation, treatment and follow-up.

Narcolepsy has a prevalence rate of five per 100,000 population. Classical symptoms include:

  • Excessive sleepiness
  • Cataplexy (physical weakness with emotion)
  • Hypnagogic hallucinations
  • Sleep paralysis (occurs upon waking)
  • Automatic behavior
  • Low concentration
  • Occupational/School problems

Symptoms may appear rapidly or develop slowly over the years. The cause of Narcolepsy is still unknown but shows strong familial clustering.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is described as a "creeping, crawling" sensation that creates an urge to move the legs. Its prevalence rate is two to five percent. Patients with RLS often complain of the following symptoms.

  • "Creepy" or "jumpy" legs
  • Unpleasant sensation during sleep
  • Insomnia/Non-refreshing sleep
  • Excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Increased activity
  • Restless sleep
  • Periodic leg movement of sleep (PLMS)

Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements is highly effective for 90 percent of patients seeking help.

Insomnia, in its chronic form, affects approximately nine percent of the U.S.  population. It can last for weeks, months, or years and may be related to the following:

  • Worry, anxiety or stress
  • Psychiatric disorders
  • Primary sleep disorders
  • Substance abuse
  • Medical problems
  • Behavioral/Conditioned factors

Those with chronic insomnia may experience reduced productivity and accidents as a result of fatigue. Because insomnia is a symptom, the physician must search for the cause. Over 70 percent of insomnia sufferers sleep better after appropriate evaluation and treatment.

Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive, sleep-related events or "disorders of arousal." These arousal disorders include:

  • Sleep Walking
  • Sleep terrors (pavor nocturnes)
  • Nightmares
  • Partial seizures
  • Violent behavior during sleep
  • REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams)

Severe cases may lead to injury, violence, excessive eating, or disturbance of others in the bed or house. In most cases, Parasomnia can be effectively diagnosed and treated.