Sleep specialists treat a variety of conditions, such as:

• bruxism: the act of grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw during sleep
• hypersomnia: a condition in which you feel excessive sleepiness
• insomnia: a sleep disorder where you have a hard time falling and staying asleep
• narcolepsy: a condition that causes atypical sleep patterns, including sudden urges to fall asleep
• night terrors: the recurrence of disruptive sleep episodes where you may flail, cry out, breath rapidly, and more
• obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): a condition in which you momentarily stop breathing while asleep
• REM sleep behavior disorder: a condition in which you attempt to act out your dreams while asleep
• sleepwalking (somnambulism): a condition in which you walk or move around while asleep
• snoring: the narrowing of airways that can be a sign of restricted breathing

The exact nature of your sleep disorder may depend on some factors, such as:

• aging: many adults 65 years or older report having some sleep disorder
• environmental conditions: disorders that result from smoking or alcohol use
• genetics: sleep disorders such as narcolepsy are genetic
• medical conditions: these include asthma and OSA
• psychiatric conditions: depression and anxiety disorders can disrupt sleep

There are several procedures sleep medicine specialists perform to diagnose and treat sleep disorders, including:

• blood tests
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia
• medications
• oral appliances
• sleep log
• sleep study
• surgery

You may benefit from speaking with a sleep specialist if you’re not getting enough sleep, have difficulty falling or staying asleep, or feel unrested. Your primary care physician may also refer you to a specialist if they believe specific symptoms result from a sleep disorder.