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By Neurology & Sleep Clinics of Chicago, S.C.
November 21, 2014
Category: Sleep Conditions
Sleep is essential for our well-being. Sleep helps our bodies to repair themselves and also helps give our minds a break from the hustle and bustle of the day. However, many people struggle with falling or staying asleep. In fact, about 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders each year, and about 20 million more Americans have occasional problems with sleep. If you’ve been tossing and turning into the wee hours, here are some of the most common disorders that could be affecting your sleep in Schaumburg.
 

Common Sleep Disorders

1. Sleep Apnea

Over 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, a disorder that causes breathing to stop while asleep. Each breathing interruption lasts for at least ten seconds and will happen intermittently throughout a person’s sleep cycle. Because of this lack of oxygen, those with sleep apnea are often exhausted during the day.
 
Sleep apnea can also lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. However, from oral appliances to wearing a CPAP mask while sleeping, there are several ways to reduce sleep apnea symptoms.
 

2. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

It’s suspected that about 10 percent of the American population may have RLS. This neurological condition causes throbbing, creeping sensations in the legs. You may also experience an uncontrollable urge to move your legs. The cause of RLS is unknown; however, genetics may be the main factor. Lack of sleep and alcohol may also make symptoms worse.
 
Treatment includes incorporating lifestyle changes such as increasing exercise, taking certain supplements, and reducing alcohol intake. Sometimes dopamine-related medications can help control symptoms.
 

3. Narcolepsy

Many people have heard about this brain disorder that affect sleep-wake cycles. Those with narcolepsy will experience sudden bouts of sleep that may hit them at any moment. These bouts can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Narcolepsy can greatly impact a person’s daily life. It can be dangerous to drive a car or operate machinery and it can make school or work a challenge.
 
While there are no cures for narcolepsy there are medications to help treat the condition. Common medications include those that “wake up” the central nervous system (e.g. modafinil), certain kinds of antidepressants and sodium oxybate.
 

4. Insomnia

People that have insomnia can experience a host of sleep issues:
  • Problems falling asleep
  • Tossing and turning throughout the night
  • Waking up too early
  • Feeling tired after waking
Insomnia can be either acute or chronic and can be linked to certain health conditions like depression, asthma or heartburn. Mild forms of insomnia can be treated by incorporating better sleep habits. For those with health-related insomnia, treating the medical condition will help alleviate sleep problems. Also, behavioral approaches such as relaxation exercises may also help insomniacs.
 

Call Neurology & Sleep Clinics of Chicago, S.C.

If you think your exhaustion or sleep problems could be due to a sleep disorder, call our office today to schedule an appointment. Nothing is more valuable than getting a good night’s rest!
 
Are you a patient of Neurology & Sleep Clinics of Chicago, S.C.? If so, we would love to hear about your experiences below!
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By Rosalyn M. Aranas, M.D.
July 01, 2014
Category: Sleep Conditions
Tags: Sleep Apnea   Insomnia   Snoring  
Many people in Schaumburg underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep until they’ve gone without one. To meet the demands of our fast-paced society, sleep is becoming more and more necessary, though neurology experts have found that people are sleeping at least 20% less now than they did 100 years ago. There are approximately 80 different sleep disorders prevalent in our society today. Here’s a quick look at just a few of them.
 
 

Insomnia

 
People with insomnia often feel they do not get enough sleep at night. If you lie awake in your bed until the wee hours of the morning, but still feel restless, you may be a part of the 30% of Americans who suffers from insomnia. Other characteristics of this disorder include waking up frequently during sleep. Causes of insomnia can vary from person to person, but have been linked to these triggers:
 
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Circadian rhythm disorders
  • Taking certain medications
 
Studies have shown that those who suffer from chronic bouts of insomnia have a significantly higher risk of having serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.
 
 

Snoring

 
Snoring is a problem that occurs in many adults. A snore is produced by air rattling over the relaxed tissues of the throat. For many people, the noise produced can be quite bothersome, keeping other family members awake. Snoring stems from several causes, but can ultimately be a sign of a much more serious sleep condition—sleep apnea.
 
 

Sleep Apnea

 
Sleep Apnea is a treatable but serious sleep disorder that affects more than 18 million Americans. This condition occurs when the upper airway becomes completely or partially blocked and interrupts regular breathing. Most people with sleep apnea are startled awake when their breathing stops. Risk factors for sleep apnea include being male, overweight, and over 40 years old. However, sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age—even children.
 
 
For more information about sleep disorders in the Schaumburg, IL area and how to treat them, contact Neurology & Sleep Clinics of Chicago at (847) 929-4420.
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March 15, 2014
Category: Welcome

Opening May 1, 2014

Neurology and Sleep Clinics of Chicago, S.C. is a premier and innovative center for diagnosis, management, treatment, and prevention of both neurological diseases and sleep disorders.

We provide exceptional expertise in Clinical Neurology and treat an entire spectrum of neurological conditions and disorders—headache, low back and neck pain, dizziness, balance problems, nerve and muscle conditions, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, tremor, seizure disorder, stroke, Alzheimer’s dementia, memory disorders, ALS, brain injury and concussion—to name a few.

We also provide clinical expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia, sleep walking/talking, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless legs syndrome, shift work sleep disorder and other circadian rhythm disturbances such as jet lag, advanced and sleep phase disorders.

We understand the intricate relationship between neurological disorders and sleep health. Many neurological disorders are associated with sleep disorders that have negative impact on a patient’s quality of life—presenting as daytime fatigue, sleepiness, sleep disturbances, insomnia. We provide a comprehensive clinical evaluation with the goal of optimizing quality of life for all our patients.

Care Philosophy:

Our neurologists strongly believe in joint medical decision-making with their patients. We ensure that when our patients leave our clinic that they have a clear understanding of their condition, possible causes, diagnostic plan, treatment options, and preventative care. We encourage our patients to be active participants in their health care plan and perceive their neurologists as their trusted medical advisor.

We strive for personalized, compassionate, and patient-centered approach in our care, where the satisfaction of our patients are our utmost priority. We value timely communication and ease and convenience for our patients. Our goal is to provide seamless care and exceptional service to both our patients and their referring physicians, by combining cutting-edge neurological care and state-of-the-art health care technology.

Our physicians are Board Certified in Neurology, Board Certified and Fellowship-trained in both Clinical Neurophysiology and Sleep Medicine by the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry.

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