Sleep Quiz & FAQs

• Sleep Apnea: This disorder causes people to stop breathing periodically throughout the night
• Insomnia: Insomnia makes it hard for people to fall or stay asleep depending on which type they have
• Restless Legs Syndrome: It creates an urge for people to move their legs or feel other strange sensations like itching, tingling, or burning
• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: PLMD occurs during non-REM sleep and is characterized by involuntary muscle spasms
• Parasomnias: physical or verbal behaviors that happen during sleep such as teeth grinding and clenching, sleepwalking, and bedwetting

Since sleep disorders happen while you’re asleep, there are some signs you can look for during the day. You can also have a friend or loved one watch for these symptoms when you sleep. You may be suffering from a sleep disorder if you:

• Have loud, excessive snoring
• Wake up frequently during the night
• Feel drowsy and tired during the day
• Struggle going to sleep because your legs feel itchy or crawly
• Have a sore throat or headache when you wake up
• Have trouble focusing at work and staying alert

While disorders can inhibit your ability to get high-quality sleep, there are a few measures you can take on your own to try to improve your sleep. We encourage you to go to bed at the same time every night, stick to a bedtime routine, exercise daily, avoid caffeine and alcohol late in the day, and do some activities that can help you feel relaxed and at ease.

Sleep apnea is caused by your throat muscles relaxing and blocking your airway. At Columbus Dental Solutions, we offer a few treatment options to combat your sleep apnea including orofacial myofunctional therapy to retrain your body on swallowing techniques, where to rest your tongue, and how to properly breathe. We also create custom oral appliances to reposition your jaw and keep your airway open while you’re asleep.