Author: Dr. Steven Syrop

As its name implies, sleep medicine is the study, diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related disorders in children and adults. Restful, regular sleep is crucial to a healthy lifestyle, and a lack of quality rest can have a negative impact on the body physically, mentally and emotionally. Those who do not receive adequate rest are at an increased risk for several conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and kidney disease. Focus and memory can be seriously impaired and learning may become more difficult. Mood swings, depression and anger can also result from insufficient sleep. To avoid this myriad of unhealthy side effects, it is important for those who suffer from sleep disorders to seek evaluation from a medical doctor or board-certified sleep medicine dental professional.

The most common sleep disorders

Sleep apnea is one of the most common types of sleep disorders affecting Americans today. It occurs when breathing repeatedly stops and restarts during sleep. Insomnia is also relatively prevalent and involves frequent difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Other types of sleep disorders may seem less severe, but can still have a highly negative impact on health and overall well-being. Snoring, bruxism (clenching or grinding of the teeth) and even acid reflux can be considered serious medical conditions if they impact restful sleep.

Medical professionals involved in sleep medicine

People suffering from one of the many types of sleep disorders, regardless of perceived severity, should schedule an appointment for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the patient’s symptoms and medical history, a referral may be scheduled with one or several professionals who study and practice sleep medicine. These may include a dental specialist, pulmonologist, psychiatrist, neurologist or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor/ENT). In many cases, several professionals will work as a team to develop a proper and well-rounded treatment plan for the patient.

Diagnostic and treatment procedures

When an individual reports trouble sleeping, several diagnostic procedures may be ordered to determine the cause and acuteness of the condition. Often coupled with blood work, a physical exam is typically performed to search for physical abnormalities or obstructions that could lead to impaired sleep.

Patients may be ordered to keep a sleep journal to record the frequency of specific symptoms and possible contributing factors, like dietary choices or stress. In some cases, a sleep study may be ordered to measure heart rate, oxygen levels, brain activity and body movement. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment plans could include medication or supplements, physical therapy, corrective devices and/or surgery.

Conclusion

Difficulty sleeping is common among all individuals at certain stages of life. However, if the difficulty persists and begins to impact quality rest and a healthy lifestyle, it is important to consult a board-certified sleep medicine specialist for evaluation. Ignoring the problem could result in a major decline in health as well as the development of a serious disease or condition. However, with a proper diagnosis and treatment, many people are able to enjoy regular, deep sleep.

With sleep medicine treatment, there is no universal solution. Like many other medical conditions, the right treatment plan for a person will depend on the diagnosed sleep disorder and certain factors specific to the patient. To overcome the challenges of sleep disorder, patients must be diagnosed and treated by a board-certified dental sleep medicine specialist.

Common treatments

The following are treatments often recommended for different forms of sleep disorder:

Medication

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), medication is the most popular treatment for every major sleep disorder, except sleep apnea. Although the specific drugs for treating the disorders are different, it is common for meds to be used along with other methods of treatment. The following are major sleep disorders where drugs are the primary treatment option:

Insomnia: Hypnotics are the type of medication used for treating this sleep condition. They help induce sleep and keep people asleep.

Narcolepsy: Dental specialists prescribe stimulant medications to lower the effects of daytime drowsiness, while antidepressants are used to treat other narcolepsy symptoms, such as sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations. Patients dealing with narcolepsy may also get prescription meds to induce sleep and boost their sleep quality.

Periodic Limb Movement: Drugs are highly effective for treating this condition but are typically only recommended when another disorder is present.

REM Behavior Disorder: The dentist may recommend Clonazepam for managing this disorder. When it is not effective, other drugs may be prescribed to control behavior.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): Some drugs are specifically made to treat RLS. They can also be combined with other medications that have been proven to reduce RLS symptoms.

Sleepwalking: Medications such as sedatives and antidepressants can help treat sleepwalking.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Many sleep disorders are closely associated with a behavioral pattern. Therefore, dental sleep specialists often recommend behavioral therapy as a form of treatment to help such patients manage their sleep problems. Therapy is often used for treating narcolepsy and insomnia but may prove beneficial for people dealing with other types of sleep disorders. It can help them develop coping mechanisms to handle the emotional and social consequences of battling a sleep disorder.

Sleep routines and sleep hygiene

Virtually anyone who has a diagnosis of a sleeping disorder can enjoy the benefits of adopting good sleep hygiene and forming routines that can help them get the sleep they need. Certain sleep disorders like insomnia can lead to anxiety about sleep. This can be controlled by developing a good routine.

Good sleep hygiene can also improve the symptoms experienced by sleepwalkers. Having a supportive sleep routine such as scheduled naps can be helpful for sleep disorders like narcolepsy.

Relaxation, exercise and meditation

Relaxation techniques are another form of treatment under sleep medicine that has proven effective for minimizing the symptoms of sleep disorders such as insomnia and RLS. Patients can also experience relief by practicing yoga, meditating and engaging in guided imagery exercises. Exercise, when done early in the day, is effective for improving sleep quality in people with sleep disorders. It can also reduce stress and improve sleep in insomniacs.

Final note

The sleep medicine treatments listed above are effective for treating many sleep disorders. To get help, reach out to a dental sleep medicine specialist for an appointment.