Sleep disorders affect the quantity and quality of your sleep. Not getting an adequate amount of sleep each night because of a sleep disorder affects your mental and physical health and makes it harder for you to maintain a healthy weight. Board-certified obesity medicine specialist Debra Salter, MD, at Why Weight in Littleton, Colorado, specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. To schedule a consultation, call the office or book online today.
Sleep disorders include various conditions that affect your sleeping habits. There are many sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome.
Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it hard for you to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia may be acute or chronic.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes extreme daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks (falling asleep unexpectedly).
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing at various times during the night while you sleep.
There’s a strong connection between sleep apnea and weight. You may be at greater risk of developing sleep apnea if you’re overweight or obese, and having sleep apnea may make it harder for you to lose weight.
Restless legs syndrome is a sleep movement disorder that causes uncontrollable urges to move your legs while you sleep.
Sleep disorders affect your weight and ability to lose weight in many ways. When your body is unable to get an adequate amount of sleep, you have less energy and motivation, which may make it hard for you to get the physical activity needed to maintain a healthy weight.
Sleep disorders also affect the hormones that control hunger, which may cause you to eat more calories than your body needs. Lack of sleep also lowers your metabolism, which is your body’s calorie-burning system, to help you conserve energy so you can get through the day.
When you visit Why Weight with concerns about a sleep disorder, Dr. Salter conducts an in-depth clinical evaluation.
During your exam, she reviews your sleep habits, daily stresses, typical day, diet and exercise routine, medical history, and the types of medications and supplements you take. She also conducts a physical exam and runs lab tests to assess your general health and wellness.
To confirm or rule out a sleep disorder, she may recommend a sleep study, which is usually conducted at a sleep lab.
Based on your diagnosis and sleep habits, Dr. Salter develops an individualized treatment plan to help you manage your sleep disorder.
Your treatment plan may include:
Based on your diagnosis, she may also recommend disease-specific medications. If you have sleep apnea, she may suggest continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.
To schedule your sleep disorder consultation, call Why Weight or book online today.
