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Sleep Disorder services offered in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Dana Point, CA
Insomnia affects 30%-40% of adults, but it’s only one of a group of sleep disorders that make you groggy during the day and increase your risk of health problems like high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, and obesity. The team at Mind Health Institute, Orange County, can help you regain quality sleep with personalized treatments targeting the underlying problem. Call the office in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, or Dana Point, California, or connect through online booking to request an appointment today.
Sleep Disorders Q & A
What are sleep disorders?
Sleep disorders interfere with the amount and quality of your sleep. The most common sleep disorders are:
- Insomnia (difficulty falling and/or staying asleep)
- Narcolepsy (uncontrollably falling asleep during the day or suddenly losing muscle tone)
- Sleep apnea (briefly stopping breathing 5-30-plus times an hour while you sleep)
- Restless legs syndrome (intense need to move legs and uncomfortable leg sensations)
- Parasomnias (unusual behaviors while falling asleep or when asleep)
People with parasomnia might sleepwalk, eat while sleeping, or have night terrors or vivid dreams.
What causes sleep disorders?
Each sleep disorder has a unique cause or, in some cases, several possible causes. Sleep apnea occurs when the soft tissues in your throat cover the airway. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) could be related to genetics, low iron levels in the brain, and several medical conditions.
Occasional or temporary insomnia typically arises from common problems, including stress, drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, and sleeping with the lights on.
Chronic insomnia (lasting three months or longer) is usually due to health conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease
- Mental health disorders
- Restless legs syndrome
Many people diagnosed with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia struggle with insomnia.
What symptoms do sleep disorders cause?
The symptoms you experience partly depend on which sleep disorder you have. For example, you could have uncontrollable urges to move your legs, snore (if you have sleep apnea), or sleepwalk.
However, all sleep disorders cause symptoms during the day, including:
- Excessive tiredness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood changes
- Slow reactions
- Oppositional and hyperactive behaviors in children
- Falling asleep when you need to be awake
People with sleep disorders are more likely to have an accident while driving.
How are sleep disorders treated?
If an underlying condition causes your sleep disorder, treating that problem can often improve your sleep. Otherwise, the best treatment, whether medication, a medical device, or other therapies, depends on which sleep disorder you have.
Though insomnia might improve with prescription sleeping pills, the gold standard and preferred treatment is cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).
CBT-I helps you overcome insomnia by improving your nighttime habits (sleep hygiene), providing ways to relax, and teaching you techniques to overcome persistent thoughts that prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Sleep protects your physical and mental health, so seek help right away if you have trouble sleeping. Book an appointment online or call Mind Health Institute, Orange County, today.