Sleep Disorders

Treatment

There are many effective sleep disorder treatments. Your doctor will prescribe treatment based on the type of disorder you have (circadian rhythm disorder, hypersomnia, parasomnia, insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorder or sleep-related movement disorder).

Your treatment may include:

• Risk factor modification. Weight loss, reduction of alcohol use or other medications, change in sleep position and treatment of nasal congestion may reduce the likelihood that you'll experience sleep disorders.
• Lifestyle modification. Common lifestyle modifications include establishing a regular sleep schedule, not driving while drowsy, reducing caffeine consumption, physical exercise and carefully timing exposure to bright light.
• Counseling or psychotherapy. Use of stress management techniques and treatment of underlying emotional conditions may improve your quality of sleep.
• Medications. Your doctor may prescribe sedatives to improve the quality of your sleep or stimulants to improve wakefulness.
• Medical devices. Various devices can improve your sleep by keeping your airways open during sleep.
• Surgery. Your doctor may recommend throat surgery and related ear, nose and throat procedures to address the causes of your airway obstruction during sleep.