Did you know that sleep disorder and disordered sleep are two different things?

What is a Sleep Disorder and Disordered Sleep?

Sleep disorders are deviations from typical sleep patterns that affect both sleep quality and sleep quantity. The most common sleep disorders are Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Restless Leg Syndrome.
Disordered sleep is a struggle to have quality sleep and waking up felling unrefreshed.

What if I have a Sleep Disorder?

Check the symptoms of the sleep disorders below. The presence of any of these symptoms consistently for several weeks or months is reason to seek out medical consultation and treatment with a sleep-knowledgeable physician or call Gulf Coast Sleep Specialist.

Narcolepsy

• When I feel emotions like anger, or surprise, my muscles are effected (I have to lean on something, a part of my body goes numb, I have to put down a glass or cup)
• I often feel an excessive daytime sleepiness no matter how much sleep I get
• Many times I feel like a zombie (in a daze)
• I have fallen asleep in social situations (movies, parties, etc)
• I feel like I begin dreams right after I fall asleep or nap
• When I nap, I feel much better
• Occasionally, I wake up feeling paralyzed for a few seconds

Sleep Apnea

• I have been told that I snore
• I snore so loudly that I wake myself up
• I have woken up gasping or choking before
• Someone told me they thought I stopped breathing in my sleep
• I have high blood pressure
• I have a neck circumference more than 18 inches
• I have been told that I am grumpy and irritable
• I have fallen asleep while driving
• Occasionally, I have an irregular heart beat at night (heart pounding)
• Occasionally, I get headaches in the morning
• I have lost my sex drive
• I am overweight
• I wake up with a dry mouth
• I struggle to remain alert

Restless Legs Syndrome

• People have told me that parts of my body jerk when I am sleeping
• I kick at night
• I get a creepy crawling sensation in either my arms or legs when trying to fall asleep at night
• Occasionally, I get leg cramps or pain in the evenings
• Sometimes, I can’t keep my legs still at night, I just need to move them
• Even though I sleep enough, I am still exhausted

During your consultation, Dr. Steven Todd of Gulf Coast Sleep Specialist will determine which treatment for sleeping disorder or restless legs syndrome that will be best for you. We will develop a unique treatment plan just for your situation. Call us today or fill out the appointment form above to dicuss your snoring problem treatment options.
Gulf Coast Sleep Specialist provides sleep apnea treatments and sleep tests in Baldwin, Mobile and Escambia County, AL. We also serve the Pensacola and Escambia County, FL areas.