Common Sleep Disorders in Austin, TX: Signs, Symptoms, and Solutions

Quality sleep is essential for your health, mood, and daily performance — yet millions of people struggle each night without realizing what’s really behind their exhaustion. If you’re constantly tired, cranky, or unable to focus, you may be dealing with one of the many sleep disorders common in Austin, TX.

At Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA), our specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders using advanced testing and personalized care. Whether you’re in Austin or Houston, our team provides expert evaluation to help you finally get the sleep your body needs.

Understanding Sleep Disorders in Austin, TX

Sleep disorders are more than just bad nights — they are medical conditions that affect your brain, breathing, and sleep-wake cycles. Left untreated, they can lead to serious issues such as high blood pressure, depression, accidents, heart disease, memory problems, and more.

Here are some of the most common sleep disorders in Austin and Houston, TX, and the symptoms that may signal it’s time to seek help.

1. Insomnia

Insomnia is one of the most widespread sleep issues. It involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early.

Common symptoms include:

• Racing thoughts at night

• Lying awake for hours

• Waking frequently

• Feeling unrefreshed in the morning

Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, pain, poor sleep habits, or underlying medical conditions — and it often becomes chronic without the right treatment.

2. Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop and restart. This leads to fragmented sleep and drops in oxygen. It's not just a condition found in older men–in fact, snoring and sleep apnea can be found in women, children, and even infants.

Signs you may have sleep apnea:

• Loud snoring

• Morning headaches

• Choking or gasping at night

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

Untreated sleep apnea is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and memory problems. Accurate diagnosis and treatment are essential.

3. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

RLS causes uncomfortable sensations — such as tingling, crawling, or aching — that create an irresistible urge to move your legs, especially at night.

Common symptoms:

• Leg discomfort while sitting or lying down

• Relief only when moving

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Chronic fatigue

RLS may be related to iron deficiency, dopamine imbalance, or neurological conditions.

4. Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep-wake cycles.

Symptoms include:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Sudden sleep attacks

• Muscle weakness triggered by emotion (cataplexy)

• Sleep paralysis or hallucinations

Narcolepsy is often misunderstood or misdiagnosed — but with proper care, patients can regain alertness and stability.

5. Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

UARS is a subtle sleep-breathing disorder caused by increased resistance in the airway. Unlike sleep apnea, oxygen levels may remain normal — but the breathing effort causes repeated micro-arousals.

Signs of UARS:

• Light snoring

• Feeling tired even after “sleeping all night”

• Morning headaches

• Anxiety or irritability

• TMJ, jaw tension, or night/sleep bruxism

UARS is frequently missed in standard sleep studies. This is why having an evaluation at a specialty or comprehensive specialty clinic is especially important.

6. Parasomnias

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal behaviors, movements, emotions, perceptions, or dreams that occur while falling asleep, sleeping, or waking up.

Parasomnias behaviors during sleep include:

• Sleepwalking

• Night or sleep terrors

• Sleep-related eating disorders

• REM sleep behavior disorder (acting out dreams)

• Sleep paralysis

• Sleep talking

These conditions can be disruptive — and potentially dangerous — without proper diagnosis and treatment.

When to See a Sleep Medicine Specialist?

You should schedule an evaluation with an Austin sleep specialist or Houston sleep doctor if you experience:

• Persistent daytime fatigue

• Loud snoring or breathing issues at night

• Trouble staying asleep

• Unusual nighttime behaviors

• Unrefreshing sleep despite 7–8 hours in bed

Sleep disorders rarely improve on their own — but with expert care, you can experience dramatic improvement in energy, mood, and health.

Take the Next Step Toward Better Sleep

If you’re struggling with sleep disorders in Austin, TX, or need the expertise of a trusted Houston sleep doctor, CSMA is here to help.

📞 Contact Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Associates (CSMA) in Austin or Houston today to schedule your comprehensive sleep evaluation. Your best nights — and better days — are waiting.