Don't Ignore It: 5 Sleep Problems That Could Be Neurological

Sleep problems are common, and while many are related to chronic stress or poor sleep habits, others can be related to underlying neurological disorders. As with most medical issues, these disorders respond best to early treatment — and better sleep benefits your overall health and wellness, too.

At Advanced Medical Care, our experienced team specializes in diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, including problems associated with nerve or brain issues. Here, learn about five common symptoms that could be related to underlying neurological issues to help you recognize when it’s time to seek an evaluation for your sleep problems.

1. Excessive daytime sleepiness

Feeling tired every once in a while is pretty normal, but persistent, overwhelming sleepiness during the day is not. Excessive daytime sleepiness can interfere with work, concentration, and safety, and it takes a toll on relationships and overall quality of life. 

You may struggle to stay awake during conversations, meals, or even while driving, despite getting what seems like adequate sleep. You might experience sudden sleep attacks, undeniable urges to nap, or an ongoing sense of “brain fog” that doesn’t improve no matter how much rest you’re getting.

When sleepiness is persistent, severe, or unexplained, scheduling a neurological evaluation is the first step toward finding a treatment that can help.

2. Sleepwalking

Many people consider sleepwalking a normal habit when it happens occasionally, especially during childhood. But when it persists into the teen or adult years, it could be a sign of abnormal brain activity during sleep. 

From a neurological perspective, sleepwalking, or somnambulism, can be associated with disorders that affect specific pathways in the brain. Most sleepwalking episodes occur during deep sleep, when your brain fails to follow those pathways from one stage of sleep into another. 

In addition to neurological issues, other medical problems like seizure disorders and even certain medications can increase the likelihood of sleepwalking. Regardless of the cause, you should always seek medical evaluation for recurrent sleepwalking, especially considering that some episodes of sleepwalking can also increase your risk of serious injury.

3. Confusional arousals

Waking up feeling a little confused isn’t unusual, but if you routinely wake during sleep, talk or act incoherently, then immediately fall back to sleep, you might have had what’s known as a “confusional arousal.” 

Like sleepwalking, confusional arousals typically arise from difficulties transitioning from sleeping to waking. And, as with sleepwalking, you typically have no memory of the event — although your sleep partner will almost certainly take notice.

While an occasional episode is probably nothing to worry about, repeated arousal issues could be a sign that your brain’s underlying sleep architecture is damaged or isn’t regulating consciousness in a normal manner. And they’re definitely an indication that you should schedule an evaluation with our team.

4. Acting out dreams during sleep

It’s not uncommon — or abnormal — to have vivid dreams, but acting out those dreams while you’re sleeping is definitely not normal. Yelling, screaming, kicking, or punching during sleep can indicate a neurological sleep disorder called REM sleep behavioral disorder (RBD). 

During the stage of sleep when rapid eye movement (REM) occurs in healthy sleep, your brain temporarily paralyzes most muscles when vivid dreams typically happen. When that protective muscle paralysis doesn’t happen, you can act out physically — and that can be a sign of an underlying neurological disorder, including Parkinson’s disease.

5. Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that usually happens when you’re trying to fall asleep, but it can occur during sleep, as well. If you have RLS, you experience uncontrollable and undeniable urges to move your legs, sometimes accompanied by crawling or tingling sensations in your legs. Not surprisingly, RLS symptoms can make falling or staying asleep extremely difficult.

Researchers are still learning why RLS happens, but they believe it’s linked with abnormal dopamine levels in the brain. Early evaluation can help relieve symptoms so you can finally get a good night’s rest.

Get the quality sleep you need

While occasional sleep disturbances usually aren’t a cause for concern, you should never ignore persistent, unusual, or worsening symptoms. Our team can help determine the underlying issue behind your sleep-related symptoms, providing tailored, state-of-the-art treatment to relieve those symptoms and restore normal sleep. 

To address your sleep disturbances, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Advanced Medical Care in Forest Hills, Queens, and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, New York.