A RANGE OF CONDITIONS AFFECTING SLEEP
Sleep Disorders
A range of conditions affecting sleep quality, quantity or pattern — including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and others. Evaluation and treatment are highly individualised.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION
What are Sleep Disorders
Sleep disorders encompass a broad range of conditions that affect the ability to sleep well on a regular basis. They include insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), obstructive sleep apnea (recurrent episodes of breathing pauses during sleep, often with snoring), restless legs syndrome (uncomfortable sensations in the legs at rest with an urge to move), narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness with sudden sleep attacks), parasomnias (unusual behaviours during sleep such as sleepwalking), circadian rhythm disorders (mismatch between body clock and required sleep schedule) and others. Sleep disorders significantly affect physical health, mental health, daytime function and quality of life, and are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, accidents and mood disorders. Typical features depend on the specific disorder and include difficulty sleeping, daytime tiredness, snoring and witnessed breathing pauses, leg discomfort at rest, sudden sleep attacks, unusual nocturnal behaviours and many others. Diagnosis involves detailed history, sleep diary, examination and, when needed, sleep study (polysomnography). Treatment is highly specific to the disorder. Dr. Patnam Pravallika Reddy provides comprehensive evaluation, with sleep medicine referral when needed, at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad.
SIGNS TO WATCH
Common Symptoms
Symptoms that need attention
WHY IT HAPPENS
Causes & Risk Factors
- Stress, anxiety and mental health conditions
- Obesity, large neck size and airway factors (sleep apnea)
- Iron deficiency and certain medications (restless legs)
- Genetic factors (narcolepsy)
- Shift work and travel across time zones
- Medical conditions affecting breathing or movement
- Substances including caffeine, alcohol and certain medications
CLINICAL DETAILS
KeyFacts
Clinical evaluation, sleep diary, examination and sleep study when needed
Insomnia · Sleep apnea · Restless legs · Narcolepsy · Parasomnias · Circadian disorders
Highly specific to the disorder
Gold standard for diagnosing many sleep disorders
Sleep medicine specialist needed for many disorders
Available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad — with sleep medicine referral when needed
HOW WE TREAT IT
Treatment Approach
Accurate Diagnosis with Disorder-Specific Therapy
The most effective approach is careful evaluation to accurately identify the specific sleep disorder — including sleep study when indicated — followed by disorder-specific therapy, treatment of contributing factors and ongoing care under sleep medicine specialists when needed.
- 1
Consultation & Assessment
Dr. Pravallika reviews sleep patterns, contributing factors and impact on life, examines the patient and arranges sleep diary, tests and referrals as needed.
- 2
Treatment Planning
A personalised plan is created based on the suspected or confirmed sleep disorder, with referral for sleep study or sleep medicine specialist when needed.
- 3
Medical Management
Disorder-specific therapy — CBT-I for insomnia, treatment of sleep apnea, iron supplementation for restless legs, specific therapy for narcolepsy and so on.
- 4
Recovery & Follow-up
Regular review of sleep, symptoms, treatment adherence and quality of life.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatment Options
Identifying the Specific Sleep Disorder
Detailed history, sleep diary, examination and sleep study where needed identify the specific disorder, guiding targeted treatment.
Disorder-Specific Therapy
Treatment is tailored to the specific disorder — CBT-I for insomnia, positive airway pressure therapy for sleep apnea, iron supplementation and specific medical therapy for restless legs, and so on.
Treatment of Contributing Factors
Addressing obesity, mental health conditions, substance use, medication effects and other contributors significantly improves outcomes.
Sleep Hygiene and Lifestyle Measures
Regular sleep schedule, comfortable sleep environment, sensible diet and exercise and limiting caffeine and alcohol support good sleep.
Sleep Medicine Referral When Needed (Referral for sleep medicine)
Complex, severe or unclear sleep disorders benefit from specialist sleep medicine evaluation, including sleep studies and advanced therapies.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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