Sleep Disorders

When you suffer from a sleep disorder, your work and social life suffer. Luckily, there are a number of successful treatments available from Raj Bhayani, MD, and the team at the New York Institute of Otolaryngology and Aesthetic Surgery. The team provides professional and compassionate care to residents in the Bensonhurst and Rego Park communities in New York. If you need specialized care for your sleep problems, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bhayani today, or book a consultation on the website.

What are common sleep disorders?

A sleep disorder is a condition that causes changes in the way you fall asleep or stay asleep. These disorders often lead to sleep deprivation, which causes long-term issues with your health if left untreated.

Sleep disorders impair your ability to function properly while you’re awake. It takes a toll on your health and poses a number of safety issues when it comes to driving and work.

There are a lot of different sleep disorders that can affect you, but the most common forms of sleep problems include:

• Insomnia
• Sleep apnea
• Restless leg syndrome
• Narcolepsy

Insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome affect your ability to fall asleep or stay asleep at night. These conditions often lead to periods of waking or disturbed sleep and result in symptoms such as:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Irritability
• Difficulty concentrating
• Frequently taking naps
• Memory problems
• Problems at work or school

If you have sleep apnea, your partner may tell you that you frequently gasp for air at night or snore very loudly. 

What diagnostic tools are used to find sleep disorders?

To diagnose a sleep disorder, Dr. Bhayani takes your symptoms and medical history into account and performs a physical exam. Once this data is collected, he also orders a sleep study to evaluate how you sleep through the night.

Sleep studies can be done in a sleep facility or at home, and monitor your body while you sleep. The machine records data such as your brain waves, blood pressure, and breathing rate to determine why your body isn’t allowing you to get restful sleep.

This data is then sent to Dr. Bhayani, who interprets the information to determine the exact cause of your sleep problems. The data allows him to formulate a personalized treatment plan to get you the sleep you need.

What is the treatment for sleep disorders?

Each type of sleep disorder has specific treatments that allow you to overcome the sleep disorder. For sleep apnea, Dr. Bhayani recommends a CPAP machine or oral appliance therapy to keep your airway open throughout the night. This helps you sleep and decreases the medical issues that go along with this disorder.

Insomnia is treated with sleep medications and good sleep hygiene. This includes lifestyle changes such as a good diet and plenty of exercise. You may also want to keep a sleep journal to help you recognize what’s keeping you awake.

Cutting back on alcohol and caffeine also helps you when you suffer from sleep disorders. Making sure your room is comfortable, and decreasing screen time before bed also help you get a good night’s sleep.

To find out more about sleep disorders, call one of the offices in Bensonhurst or Rego Park, New York, today, or schedule an appointment with Dr. Bhayani on the website.