Spine Hospital of Louisiana Sleep Center in Baton Rouge | Serving Louisiana

Expert Evaluation of Adult Sleep Disorders

If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or if you wake up every day feeling tired, you may be living with an diagnosed sleep disorder. The NeuroMedical Center’s team of sleep experts including board-certified neurologists are here to help you discover how a good night’s rest can make all the difference in your day. The NeuroMedical Center offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment of all adult sleep disorders.  Sleep studies are performed in-house at The Spine Hospital of Louisiana’s accredited Sleep Center.

Common Sleep Disorders

Having trouble sleeping is commonly reported throughout the world. According to the American Sleep Association (AMA), sleep disorders currently affect as many as 50 to 70 million U.S. adults. 

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a disorder of breathing that occurs during sleep. Usually accompanied by snoring and brief periods in which breathing stops. Often, patients with sleep apnea wake up in the morning not feeling refreshed and have trouble staying awake during the day. Obstructive sleep apnea can be caused by excess tissue in the airway, large tonsils, large tongue or obstruction in the nasal passages. This is a potentially life threatening situation that may require immediate medical attention.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a complaint, not a disorder. There are many types of insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep or waking up too early. A person needs enough sleep at night to feel alert during the day (usually 7-9 hours). Many things can cause insomnia, so it is important to see a doctor and treat the cause. Insomnia is characterized as transient (lasts a few days), short-term (2-4 weeks or poor sleep), or chronic (lasts a month or longer.)  Associated symptoms include daytime sleepiness, anxiety, trouble concentrating, impaired memory and irritability.

Shift Work Disorder

This sleep disorder can be caused by night shifts, rotating shift, or even early morning shifts. It can cause chronic sleep deprivation, in which a person never catches up on sleep. Symptoms include excessive sleepiness when you need to be awake and alert, difficulty concentrating, and sleep that feels unrefreshing or insufficient. This chronic loss of sleep has serious implications for health, productivity, and safety.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

Is a discomfort of the legs, which is relieved by moving or stimulating the legs. Patients report the sensation feels like a crawling, tingling or prickling sensation that occurs mostly with riding in a car, watching TV, reading, inactivity or lying in bed trying to fall asleep. A variation to restless legs is PLMS (Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep). This is characterized by leg movements or jerking every 20-40 seconds during sleep. This disrupts sleep and can cause excessive daytime sleepiness.

Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)

 Sleep walking involves getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep. Patients are typically difficult to arouse during the episode and have amnesia afterwards of the episode. When severe, it could be associated with physical injury. If the sleepwalker exits the house or it occurs frequently, seek professional help immediately. There have been tragedies associated with sleep walking; do not wait to seek medical help.

REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

When you have REM sleep behavior disorder, you act out your dreams while you sleep. You lack the muscle paralysis most people experience while asleep. When the condition causes danger to you or anyone around you, it’s taken particularly seriously.

Expert Help for you Sleep Problems in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Living with an undiagnosed sleep disorder can be frightening and bewildering for many, not to mention leave you feeling irritable, exhausted, and alone. The good news is help and expert treatment is available at The NeuroMedical Center. If you think you or a loved one may be suffering from an undiagnosed sleep disorder, contact The NeuroMedical Center today. Our sleep experts will pinpoint the source of your sleeping issues and help you achieve the restful sleep you have been searching for.