A proper amount of sleep dictates how the day goes for the average person. As a specialist, Dr. James Murtagh has been helping his patients sleep better for a long time.
He can identify issues that could become more and more problematic early on. Even if certain disorders can’t be cured, treating them properly and learning to manage them will provide great relief.
What are Sleeping Disorders?
Any condition that affects the quality or overall duration of sleep is considered a sleeping disorder. This is especially true if a person can’t function properly once awake. A sleep disorder might not seem like much on its surface other than a mild inconvenience, but it can contribute to more severe medical problems as time goes on.
It wasn’t until the late 1970s that there was a classification system put together for sleeping disorders. Now, with the help of doctors like Dr. James Murtagh, overall sleep health has evolved. There are over 100 diagnosable sleeping disorders, with specific treatment plans for each.
Who Should Seek Medical Advice for Sleeping Disorders?
Sleep disorders cause four main issues. If a person has even one, they should get checked out and see if something needs to be done for a potential sleeping disorder.
Issues Falling or Remaining Asleep
A constant problem falling or remaining asleep means that there could be a sleeping disorder. It might pop up when sick or going through a stressful time. The average person shouldn’t spend an hour falling asleep. They should stay asleep until the morning with few interruptions.
Staying Awake
A constant struggle to stay awake during the day could mean a sleeping disorder is causing problems. This is true if a person gets the recommended eight hours of sleep at night. Something is not allowing a person to fully rest up if eight hours don’t get the job done.
Struggles to Maintain a Healthy Sleep Schedule
If there are imbalances in a person’s circadian rhythm, getting checked out for any type of sleep disorder could be the next step. A healthy sleep schedule will help lead to better productivity every day.
Uncommon Behavior During Sleep
Constantly waking up, moving around, or any other behavior outside of the norm could indicate that a person has a sleeping disorder. Consulting with Dr. James Murtagh or someone specializing in sleeping disorders is the best way to get help to solve these behavior issues.
The Major Types of Sleep Disorders
Three major types of sleep disorders plague millions of people a year. However, with more than 100 different disorders, it could be several more uncommon issues.
Insomnia
A person dealing with insomnia is constantly having difficulty falling or remaining asleep. This leads to daytime sleepiness and cognitive issues. Temporary insomnia usually fades away after someone gets over the issue causing it. It becomes a chronic condition if it’s not going away within a matter of weeks.
Different types of insomnia tend to break down depending on when issues arise. For example, sleep-onset insomnia refers to initially falling asleep, while sleep-maintenance insomnia is a problem staying asleep.
Dr. James Murtagh has several different approaches to insomnia. Educating patients, controlling stimulation, and using relaxation tools make a difference. There’s also medication that could help with chronic insomnia.
Sleep Apnea
Breathing issues during sleep can cause snoring, disruptive sleep, and general fatigue. It also can impact anyone else in the area of someone with sleep apnea. Depending on the severity, seeking medical help is extremely important.
For more extreme cases, a CPAP machine might be diagnosed by a doctor. Dr. James Murtagh has a lot of experience working with people experiencing instant change with these machines. It takes a bit of getting used to sleeping with something over the face, but people adjust thanks to its ability to make breathing easier.
There’s also therapy and medication that might help with more minor issues with sleep apnea. It’s essential to get medical feedback during sleep to monitor sleep apnea severity.
Narcolepsy
If a person falls asleep and feels like they got plenty of rest at night, they shouldn’t feel sleepy during the day. People who are constantly tired might suffer from narcolepsy.
Doctors need to run tests and ask plenty of questions regarding symptoms related to narcolepsy. What might start as a minor issue can snowball as time goes on. This can severely hinder work and productivity during the day. It’s reached extreme levels where some people can’t properly function without medical help.
Other Sleeping Disorders Causing Issues
Whether it’s restless leg syndrome, shift work disorder, parasomnias, or any other type of sleeping disorder, medical help makes a difference. The problem is that so many people don’t take minor sleeping issues seriously at first. It can be easy to link it to stress, scheduling issues, or a poor sleeping environment.
The more doctors learn about sleep, the more they understand just how important it is for high-quality rest every night. It’s not always the easiest thing to get, but it should be a focus.
How Dr. James Murtagh Stays Committed to Helping with Sleep Disorders
As a specialist, Dr. James Murtagh has worked with many people with various sleeping problems. It can seem overwhelming to get everything squared away, but it all starts with getting an initial consultation.
Patients usually find that getting help with their sleep is only a positive. At worst, needing to sleep with a CPAP machine or using medication will be the strongest diagnosis. Some simple lifestyle changes and therapy may be necessary to get everything back in order.
Once a sleep specialist gets a chance to hear back from patients, a change in sleeping habits can make all the difference in the world. Individuals see benefits across the board, getting back very productive time. When Dr. James Murtagh gets that opportunity to help, it motivates him to provide outstanding services and be up-to-date with the latest research on sleeping disorders.
