Living With a Sleep Disorder
Donna lay in bed staring at the empty ceiling. She reached for the alarm clock at her bedside table. It read 2 a.m.. Like other countless nights, her husband's snoring has kept her awake. She had learned several years ago that a well-placed elbow thrust could quiet him down. Next came impatient kicks as frustrations emerged. Nothing appeared capable of of reducing the "noise", not even earplugs. She tried sleeping with pillows over her head but this, too, failed. She thought she could live with it, perhaps get used to it. But she's just about had it. She's become tired and irritable. Although Donna loves her husband dearly, she has decided to move to a separate bedroom.
As the above scenario illustrates, a sleeping disorder can effect more lives than just the person with the disorder. Fortunately, sleep disorders can be managed .
What are your goals?
At National Jewish, doctors believe people with sleep disorders can lead active and full lives.
You should be able to:
- Participate in activities at work and school without excessive sleepiness.
- Sleep well through the night.
- Wake up feeling well-rested.
How are sleep disorders managed?
Managing a sleep disorder depends on your sleep disorder but often includes:
Might you, or someone you care about, have a sleep problem? National Jewish can help. .
This information has been approved by Teofilo Lee-Chiong, MD (December 2006).
