Do you wake up feeling groggy?  Do you have to hit the snooze button two or three times before getting out of bed?  Does it take several cups of coffee just to start your day? The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that about 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic long-term sleep disorders each year and an additional 20 million people experience occasional sleep problems.

According to Dr. David Brodner, a Board-Certified Sleep Medicine Specialist in Boynton Beach, Florida, “A good night’s sleep is vital to everyone’s well-being and should be a routine part of their life.  Unfortunately, the majority of sufferers do not ever realize they have a problem, self-medicate, or receive incomplete treatment.  Many people believe ‘everyone snores’ or ‘everyone feels tired.’  But that simply is not the case.”

Sleepiness is often overlooked as a major contributor to vehicle crashes. The National Sleep Foundation's 2009 Sleep in America poll shows that 1% or as many as 1.9 million drivers have had a car crash or a near miss due to drowsiness in one year. If left untreated, some sleep disorders pose serious threats to a patient’s health. They can increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke as well as damage the immune system.

To serve the 50% of adults affected by poor sleep, Dr. Brodner established a weekly “Insomnia Clinic” where he formulates treatment plans tailored to the patient’s lifestyle and habits, not just their symptoms.  Since medication alone is not the solution, Dr. Brodner includes counseling on proper Sleep Hygiene, relaxation techniques, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to ensure his patients finally enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Dr. Brodner continues, “In most cases, sleep disorders can be easily managed once they are properly diagnosed. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and it occurs more often in women and in the elderly.  Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can result in a growing number of health problems including hypertension, stroke, heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks.”

There are many good non-drug treatments for insomnia. Such treatments may be delivered by a primary care physician or family doctor, but commonly are performed by a sleep specialist or psychologist with special training in the field. Scientific evidence supports the use of many of these techniques, and sleep specialists commonly use them alone or in combination with medication therapy.

If you or a loved one may be suffering from these common sleeping disorders, it is advisable that you consult your physician for a proper diagnosis as well as possible treatment options

Source: PRlog