Sleep medicine physicians may work in independent practices, in hospitals, or as part of a sleep clinic. These specialists work to diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders, including but not limited to the following conditions:   

Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder with a primary symptom of trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep. Individuals who have insomnia may have difficulty getting a full night's sleep one or more nights out of the week. This condition can last for a few days or can go on for many weeks or months. A sleep clinic can help an individual who is struggling to get enough sleep to determine if they have insomnia, what type of insomnia they have, and what the best treatment methods may be. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is characterized by numerous periods during the night in which the individual suddenly stops breathing. They make wake up entirely, or they may not remember waking up at all. If they share a bed with a partner, the partner may notice that they gasp, snore, or stop breathing numerous times throughout the night. Sleep apnea can cause severe daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, and headaches. A sleep specialist can help determine if an individual has sleep apnea, as well as what is causing it and how to best treat it. In many situations, sleep apnea can be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. 

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder. Its main symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness and trouble staying awake, no matter the situation. A sleep clinic can test for and diagnose narcolepsy, and then provide appropriate treatment. This can include therapeutic lifestyle adjustments and medication. 

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a sleep disorder in which the individual feels compelled to move their legs throughout the night, often as they are drifting off to sleep. This symptom can seem as if it will help to relieve an unpleasant tingling or spasming in the legs, but it generally does not help the feeling to go away. Restless leg syndrome can be diagnosed at a sleep clinic and treated with medication. 

There are numerous sleep disorders that this type of professional can diagnose. Each time a patient comes in with issues sleeping, the specialist will perform a full evaluation. This will often include an overnight sleep study, as well as additional tests. Once the testing is complete, the sleep clinic will make a diagnosis and begin a treatment plan. For more information, contact a company like Elkview General Hospital.

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