Sleep Disorders
To sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there’s the rub… Shakespeare, from Hamlet
PCCS board-certified sleep doctors provide best in class care to our patients. Our award winning physicians provides the best in patient care for all Sleep issues.
Why sleep? Defined as “a natural, regularly recurring condition of rest for the body and mind, during which the eyes are usually closed and there is little or no conscious thought or voluntary movement.” That relatively simple version does not do justice to the importance and complexicity of this natural phenomenon. Sleep allows the brain to direct:
- Healing
- Repair damaged or worn-out tissue
- Restore chemical balance
- Rebuild the immune system
- Regulate bodily function through hormones (for example, growth hormone is produced mainly at night while sleeping)
If sleep is insufficient or of poor quality (another form of sleep deprivation), then many health problems can manifest. Some of these you may already be aware of if you have ever experienced a bad night’s sleep.
- Feel irritable and experience mood swings
- Forgetfulness
- Can’t deal with stress
- Show poor judgment, poor concentration, and inability to make decisions
- Experience more emotional problems, including depression and anxiety
- Increased susceptibility to colds, flu and other infections
- Age more rapidly
- Increased propensity toward accidents secondary to sleepiness and poor coordination
So given that sleep is essential to normal body function and that sleep disturbance has far reaching effects on your health ( far beyond just “feeling bad”), seek medical attention when sleep is not optimum.
Our PCCS Physicians evaluate and treat patients with sleep disorders, including:
- Insufficient Sleep Syndrome (not getting enough)
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (irregular breathing at night leading to sleep fragmentation)
- Snoring, Irregular Sleep-Wake Cycle
- Insomnia
- Shift Work Sleep Disorder
- Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (highly associated with Restless Legs Syndrome)
For more on forming Healthy Sleep Habits, view our Sleep Hygiene Tips
To schedule a consultation with one of our sleep specialists, call PCCS at 713-255-4000