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Quality sleep gives us energy we need during the day to function well. Refreshing sleep increases job performance, improves mood and overall well-being. Lack of sleep increases accidental injuries and stress. Stress evokes negative emotions such as anxiety and depression. Insomnia and narcolepsy are two very different sleep disorders that have a profound negative effect on one's health. If you are experiencing these signs and symptoms, discuss this issue with your doctor.
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Insomnia is associated with difficulty falling asleep and or maintaining sleep. This condition is common and occurs in about one third of the adult population. Insomnia can be a difficult sleep disorder to diagnose. Often a patient may have other medical, psychiatric, and/or sleep disorders, resulting in the inability of a patient to sleep properly.
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| Insomnia Sleep Complaints |
Strategies to Improve Sleep |
| Fatigue |
Eat a healthy diet |
| Moodiness-irritability-stress |
De-stress |
| Daytime sleepiness |
Follow good sleep habits |
| Worrying-anxiety |
Relaxation techniques |
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| Things To Avoid |
Things To Include |
| Nicotine |
Exercise 3 hours before bedtime (within your doctor's guidelines) |
| Caffeine, especially 8 hrs before bedtime |
Eat a healthy diet (within your doctor's guidelines) |
| Heavy and/or spicy meals before bedtime |
Eat a light snack before bedtime |
| Watching the clock (turn the clock away from your visual) |
Create a comfortable cool dark sleep environment |
| Going to bed when you are not sleepy |
Establish relaxing habits at bedtime such as reading and meditation |
| Lingering in bed sleepless for more than 15 minutes |
When sleepless, leave your bed and do something relaxing |
| TV, long engaging reading or computer during the night |
Use your bed for sex and sleep only |
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It is crucial to apply the "Good Sleep Habits" to the fullest extent and use a diary to track your progress. If you do not improve you should consult an insomnia specialist. The specialist can determine if other sleep disorders, medical and or psychiatric issues may be the underlying trigger to your problem. Bring your completed diary with you to your visit. A qualified physician can appropriately assess, diagnose and treat patients with insomnia. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi) may be a treatment option. Effective treatment for insomnia can lead to significant quality-of-life benefits.
Talk to your doctor about the problems that you are experiencing and incorporate the sleep habits for a better night's sleep.
For sleep physician referral, call us at 936-266-3170.
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Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and frequent sleep attacks. These attacks can occur while a person is driving. The sleep pattern of a narcoleptic is irregular at night and during the day. Narcoleptics typically fall into deep sleep within 10 minutes as compared to the average person who falls into deep sleep after 90 minutes. A medical exam will be performed to rule out other sleep disorders, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, psychiatric and/or any neurological disorders.
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| Narcolepsy Complaints |
Strategies For Narcoleptics |
| Hypnogogic hallucinations-frightening vivid realistic dreams |
Scheduled naps during the day |
| Excessive daytime sleepiness-extreme drowsiness |
Education to family, friends, teachers and employers |
| Sleep paralysis-unable to move temporarily |
Avoiding heavy meals before activities |
| Cataplexy-a sudden loss of muscle tone triggered by emotion |
Medications such as stimulants, antidepressants, and others |
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Once a medical exam and history have been completed, an overnight sleep study is done to rule out other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and periodic limb movements disorder. If no other sleep disorder is present, a series of 5 naps with 1.5 to 2 hours of wake time between each nap called the multi-sleep latency test (MSLT) is used to diagnose narcolepsy. This test is reviewed by a physician with a specialty in sleep medicine who interprets and makes recommendations for patients.
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