Sleep disorders are common among American adults.  It has been reported that more than 50 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders that represent serious health conditions.  Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep) historically has been considered among the most common sleep disorders affecting adults, especially as people age.  However, recent studies have shown that as many as 1 in every 5 adults suffers from sleep apnea, a sleep-related breathing disorder that is associated with significant health risks such as hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiac arrythmia (irregular heartbeats), stroke, and death.  There are more than 80 sleep disorders identified in the current diagnostic system for sleep disorders, which include commonly known conditions like narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, excessive daytime sleepiness, as well as other less well-known conditions.

The identification of a sleep specialist who is able to understand the patient’s symptom reports and provide an appropriate diagnosis is critical to the identification of a treatment plan.  Many people find that their primary care doctor is quite knowledgeable about sleep disorders.  However, even in those situations, a sleep specialist is important to establishing a definitive diagnosis and developing a solid treatment plan.  The first step in getting help is talking to your doctor about your sleep problem.