Sleep Disorders Center

Common Sleep Disorders

At the Tomball Regional Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center, our expert staff can diagnose and treat a variety of common sleep problems.

Sleep Apnea

One of the most common sleep disorders, sleep apnea causes a person to stop breathing many times while sleeping. The condition usually results in a reduction in blood oxygen levels and frequent waking. Symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness and loud snoring.

Insomnia

About one-sixth of the U.S. population suffers from the chronic, serious problem of being unable to fall or stay asleep. Having trouble falling asleep before an upcoming stressful or exciting event is normal. However, when sleepless nights become the rule rather than the exception, it's time to seek medical attention.

Narcolepsy

This rare disorder causes people to suddenly fall asleep while engaged in waking activity (such as walking and conversation). "Sleep attacks" are often triggered by emotional events, such as laughter or crying.

Periodic Limb Movement (PLM)

In this disorder, a person's legs move intensely and are then calm during sleep. This process repeats throughout the sleep cycle.

Restless Leg Syndrome

This condition is different from PLM in that the person experiences a creeping or crawling feeling in the legs while trying to get to sleep. This feeling can last for several hours.

Nightmares

These frightening episodes occur in the dream stage, or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. The patient can recall vivid details of the dream upon waking.

Night Terrors

These events sometimes begin with a piercing scream, with the sleeper appearing distressed and disoriented. The person abruptly awakens from deep sleep, then quickly returns to sleep, remembering nothing of the episode.

Sleep-Related Disorders

Several disorders, which do not interrupt sleep but do occur during sleep, are considered sleep-related disorders. They include bedwetting, sleepwalking or acting out in violence during sleep.