Sleep Medicine

Sleep disorders can have a major impact on your energy levels, mood, and overall health. The sleep specialists at Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine in Algonquin, Illinois, understand the toll a sleep disorder can have on your life and well-being. Dennis Kellar, MD, Amanda Law, FPA-APRN, CNP, and the team of specialists, offer complete evaluation and treatment for all types of sleep disorders so you can get the rest you need. Schedule a sleep medicine consultation today via the online booking tool or call the office.

What is sleep medicine?

Sleep medicine is a medical subspecialty that analyzes all components that can cause sleep disorders, including breathing problems, brain and nervous system conditions, and mental health conditions. The sleep medicine specialists at Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine offer comprehensive testing for sleep disorders in their state-of-the-art sleep study facility and home-based sleep studies when appropriate.

The team determines if a sleep study is needed based on your symptoms and any other medical conditions you may have.

What conditions can cause problems sleeping?

Problems sleeping can be related to issues with breathing, brain function, and your mental health state. Common conditions that can cause problems sleeping include:

• Snoring
• Sleep apnea
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• Restless leg syndrome
• Parasomnias, including sleepwalking and nightmares
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
• Sleep deprivation
• REM behavior disorder

These conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, both while you’re awake and asleep, and may vary in intensity depending on your lifestyle, overall health, and stress levels.

What are the symptoms of a sleep disorder?

Sometimes it’s difficult to know if you have a sleep disorder, especially if your spouse or partner is unaware of any abnormalities you exhibit while you’re sleeping. Some potential signs of a sleep disorder include:

• Daytime tiredness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Increased mental and physical fatigue upon waking
• Increased need to take naps or go to bed earlier than normal
• Vivid dreams or nightmares that disturb your sleep
• Physical restlessness when you lie down for bed or while sleeping

If sleep or excessive daytime fatigue are a problem for you, see the team of sleep specialists for an evaluation.

How are sleep disorders diagnosed?

There are a number of different steps the team takes to determine the cause of your sleeping problems. First, the team has you keep a sleep diary, in which you record the time you go to sleep and when you wake up, along with how you feel mentally and physically before and after sleeping.

Based on your sleep diary, the team may make recommendations to improve your sleep quality, such as avoiding caffeine or alcohol in the afternoons or evenings, dimming the lights in your home an hour before bed to encourage relaxation and drowsiness, or increasing your exercise during the day.

If these conservative suggestions aren’t helpful, the team may recommend a sleep study. A variety of tests are available during your sleep study to identify the cause of your sleep disorder.

Get help with your sleep today by calling Northwest Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine or book a visit through the online scheduling tool.