Understanding the Field of Sleep Medicine

Sleep is a natural function, and many people take falling asleep at night and not waking up until morning for granted. However, sleep does not come easy if you struggle with insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or another condition that makes getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night challenging.Sleep medicine in Chattanooga, TN, can help you get the needed rest.

Sleep Medicine as a Medical Discipline

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine defines the field as a medical sub-specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Left untreated, sleep disorders increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and depression. The organization further states the following:

• 20 percent of teenagers get only five hours of sleep each night
• 25 percent of adults have sleep apnea
• 30 percent of adults struggle with insomnia

Fatigue also contributes to 20 percent of car accidents involving serious injuries or fatalities.

As you can see, sleep disorders are serious and can have devastating consequences. Working with a specialist at our sleep center can help you understand your sleep disorder and receive treatment for it.

Oral Appliance Therapy

While all patients are unique and receive a customized treatment plan, using an oral appliance for sleep is the standard way to treat sleep disorders like snoring and sleep apnea. Oral appliance therapy can also be ideal for people who have temporomandibular joint disorder, a condition that causes them to grind their teeth in their sleep. Other conditions, such as restless leg syndrome, require diagnosis by a medical doctor and the use of prescription medication.

Reach Out to Schedule a Sleep Study

The results of a sleep study are critical to help us understand what is causing your disrupted sleep. Please contact Choo Choo City Sleep Solutions to learn more aboutsleep medicine in Chattanooga, TN, during a one-on-one consultation.