Sleep disorders

According to the American Sleep Association, 50 to 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder, such as:

• Sleep apnea—A disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
• Narcolepsy—A chronic disorder that causes an extreme tendency to fall asleep.
• Insomnia—A disorder that causes an inability to fall or stay asleep.
• Restless leg syndrome—This condition causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.
• Sleepwalking—This is not so much a disorder as it is a serious symptom that can be indicative of another sleep disorder or an unrelated condition or illness.
• Excessive sleepiness—This is not so much a disorder as it is a serious symptom that can be indicative of another other sleep disorders.
• Shift work disorder—A disorder characterized by insomnia and excessive sleepiness. This tends to affect people whose work hours overlap or are the same as the typical sleeping period.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, ask your doctor about a sleep evaluation:

• Daytime sleepiness
• Loud snoring
• Restless legs
• Insomnia
• Frequently waking up throughout the night

At our Medical City Lewisville hospital, you have access to a diagnostic sleep lab that provides diagnosis and treatment services to patients four years old and older.