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Sleep disorder treatments are therapies to help reduce symptoms associated with sleep disorders. Recommended treatments may vary, depending on the type and severity of disorder that is present. In most cases, physicians prefer the least invasive treatment possible.

Simple lifestyle changes alone may be enough to significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms. These changes may include losing weight if a patient is overweight and avoiding consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Because alcohol acts as a sedative, people may use it to help them fall asleep. However, alcohol disrupts sleep patterns and inhibits the amount of deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that occurs. This keeps people from obtaining adequate amounts of sleep

In some cases, a physician may recommend the use of certain prescription or over-the-counter medications to treat sleep disorders. This may include:

• Tranquilizers or certain drugs that treat Parkinson’s disease. These may be used to treat severe forms of restless leg syndrome (sensations felt in the legs when at rest) and periodic limb movement disorder.
  
  
• Stimulant medications may help prevent episodes of sudden sleep in patients with narcolepsy.
  
  
• Antidepressants are often effective in alleviating cataplexy (the sudden loss of muscle control during intense emotions), which often occurs with narcolepsy.
  
  
• Benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat patients with insomnia that does not respond to lifestyle changes. However, because of potential side-effects, benzodiazepines should usually only be used for brief periods of time.
  
  
• Non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics may be used to treat patients with chronic insomnia.

Additional sleep disorder treatments may include:

• Breathing devices. Patients with sleep apnea may require a form of mechanical breathing aid known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Patients wear this special mask over their nose and mouth to help prevent cessation of breathing during sleep. In cases of mild sleep apnea, patients may merely require a dental device that is worn in the mouth and that keeps the jaw forward to help facilitate breathing during sleep.
  
  
• Relaxation therapies. Specific formal techniques may help patients relax, which can improve sleep. These methods include progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, imagery training, biofeedback and hypnosis. Patients can usually learn these techniques over a series of weeks.
  
  
• Psychotherapy. Also known as talk therapy or counseling, psychotherapy may help alleviate stress and anxiety and improve sleep patterns.
  
  
• Cognitive behavior therapy is sometimes useful in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia.
  
  
• Surgery. Surgery to remove excess throat tissue or enlarged tonsils and adenoids (e.g., tonsillectomy) can sometimes relieve symptoms of sleep apnea. This type of surgery helps to remove any physical cause of airway blockage.