Concerned you’re suffering from a sleep disorder? Dr. Richard Bogan and Dr. Laura Herpel at Bogan Sleep Consultants – your sleep doctor in Columbia, SC – share some of the most common ones below.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a breathing condition that causes people to snore heavily and often wake up gasping for air. It comes in two forms: obstructive and central sleep apnea. Obstructive happens when the throat and mouth relax and block the airway. Central is one in which the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the brain, so the sufferer stops breathing. 

Insomnia 

Up to 75 percent of the adult population suffers from insomnia. It occurs when – regardless of the desire or the amount of time you have to sleep – you simply cannot fall or stay asleep. This can happen to everyone at some point, but it’s considered chronic when it happens at least three times a week. 

Restless Leg Syndrome 

RLS or restless leg syndrome is a condition in which the person experiences strange and uncomfortable sensations, such as crawling, itching, or prickling. These sensations cause an uncontrollable desire to move. While it can happen throughout the day, it commonly impacts sleep. 

Narcolepsy 

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder in which changes in the brain impact the sleep cycle. Instead of going through the normal stages of sleep, someone with narcolepsy experiences each stage earlier, causing irregular sleep. This leads to extreme bouts of sleepiness throughout the day.

Parasomnia 

Parasomnia is a term that describes carrying out strange or unusual behaviors while the person is asleep. There are several kinds of parasomnias, including: 

• Sleepwalking 
• Night terrors 
• Bedwetting 
• Nightmare disorder 
• REM sleep behavior disorder 
• Sleep-related hallucinations 

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness or EDS is a condition in which a person is sleepy and has a hard time staying awake during the day. The symptoms must have continued daily for at least three months before it’s considered a disorder. Typically, it’s caused by other sleep disorders, like narcolepsy and sleep apnea, or due to issues like pain, anxiety, or hypothyroidism. 

Treatment for Sleep Disorders

Some of the various methods a sleep doctor might use to treat sleep disorders include: 

• CBT or other types of therapy
• Sleep aids and other medications
• CPAP machines 
• Lifestyle adjustments, including changes to diet, exercise, and sleep environment

When you visit Dr. Bogan and Dr. Herpel at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC, you’ll receive a treatment plan that is personalized to your needs. 

Let a sleep doctor help you get the sleep you need. Visit Dr. Bogan and Dr. Herpel at Bogan Sleep Consultants in Columbia, SC by calling (803) 251-3093 today.