(425) 457-7799 | Dr. Lara Litov | Online Doctor | Telehealth | Naturopathic Doctor

Sleep Disorders

Insomnia
Restless Leg Syndrome
Circadian Rhythm Disorder
Parasomnias
Periodic Limb Movements
Lack or Restful Sleep

What are the different types of Sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are a category of health concerns that involve problems with the quality, timing, and amount of sleep, which negatively impact a person’s quality of life and ability to function optimally while they are awake. Sleep disorders often occur along with other medical conditions or mental health conditions.

Insomnia – General definition and symptoms including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or not feeling refreshed upon awakening in the morning.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake disorders

  • Jet Lag
  • Night Shift Work or evening shift, such as restaurant work
  • Delayed or Advance Sleep-Wake cycle, meaning circadian rhythm causing you to fall asleep 2 or more hours early or 2 or more hours late.
  • Irregular sleep-wake rhythm – this is when the circadian rhythm is so disorganized it isn’t in a consistent pattern or sleep-wake cycle

Sleep-Related Movement Disorders – (movements that occur prior to or during sleep that make it difficult to get restful sleep)

  • Restless Leg Syndrome – RLSWhat are the different types of Sleep Disorders?
  • Leg Cramps
  • Periodic Limb Movement

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

  • Sleep Apnea – obstructive
  • Sleep Apnea- Central
  • Snoring

Hypersomnia’s (excessive daytime sleepiness)

  • Sleep Deprivation – Daytime fatigue and sleepiness due to insufficient time or quality of sleep
  • Narcolepsy – Sporadic uncontrollable overwhelming daytime sleepiness regardless of sleep duration at night.

Parasomnias (events that happen during sleep)

  • Nightmares
  • Night Terrors
  • Talking in your sleep
  • Bedwetting
  • Sleepwalking
  • REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
  • Disorienting waking symptoms
What is Dr. Litov’s approach to helping people with insomnia and sleep disorders?

Prescription medications for sleep are powerful tools, but also have powerful side effects for many people.   I see many people who are reliant on them but are no longer getting restful sleep, but also have withdrawal symptoms of rebound insomnia if they go off.  I work very hard with people to get off these medications if they want, and then my patients can use these prescriptions for more acute situations where they will get the benefit without the dependence on them.

Absolutely. I have worked very successfully with many people over telehealth for sleep issues. Please see my Telemedicine page for more information.

I have worked extensively with many people who are struggling with insomnia and various forms of sleep disorders, and I have a high success rate of helping.

What is Dr. Litov’s approach to helping people with insomnia and sleep disorders?

The goal is to improve your day-to-day quality of life, to be able to function better at home and work and to feel rested and confident that you can get sleep and have the tools to get restful sleep.  This doesn’t happen overnight, so there are a number of steps.

  1. I do a deep dive into what may be causing your sleep issues. I conduct a thorough medical evaluation, medical history, labs, and imaging, and take the time to find out how your sleep problems are showing up and affecting you in the present and past.
  2. I take a multi-systems approach and look at the genetic, biological, neurological, biochemical, hormonal, environmental, nutritional aspects of what is going on for you and address whether they are contributing to your symptoms.
  3. I address both acute symptoms and the underlying root cause of the symptoms. This way you can get some more short-term relief while uncovering and treating the underlying cause of the problems.
  4. Most of the time, by the time someone comes to me, they have tried many things to help their sleep. I take note of all the things that didn’t work previously. This helps us find the root of the problem faster.
  5. Many people come to me needing to use prescription medications to sleep. These are sometimes physiologically difficult to get off if they are used daily for a given time. I work with you to slowly wean off these medications safely, and yet still be able to have them for very occasional emergency needs. This is a very individualized plan and sometimes may take up to one year, depending upon the length of prescription sleep medication usage and the type.  The body takes time to readjust and heal.
  6. My treatment plans integrate evidence-based natural and conventional medicines and treatments, including counseling and mind-body techniques.  And the treatment plans usually include other health concerns that are related to your sleep issues.  My treatment plans are highly individualized and as your symptoms improve, we adjust the plan accordingly.  This is why the work we will do together is time-intensive.