Skip to main content
mayologo1
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19

    Recent Posts

    • Child on swing
      Speaking of Health
      Create an asthma action plan for your child
      March 24, 2023
    • Child eating apple
      Speaking of Health
      How to help your child reach a healthy weight
      March 23, 2023
    • Person with arm up, expressing joy
      Speaking of Health
      Tips for embracing joy in daily life
      March 23, 2023
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Doctor's Orders
    Tuesday, January 20, 2015

    Tired of losing sleep?

    Topics in this Post
    • Sleep
    DrOrders_DrKubas_lg

    Tired of losing sleep? Steve Kubas, M.D., a sleep specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna and Faribault, identifies common sleep disorders that might be affecting your life.

    Take a breath: Sleep apnea

    Sleep apnea causes people to stop breathing during sleep. Other symptoms can include irritability, fatigue, heavy snoring and concentration problems. 

    A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is a common and typically effective treatment for sleep apnea. The device uses a mask to direct air pressure through airways to keep them open during sleep. Other treatments include surgery to open the upper airway space, and oral appliances can also be used to open the airway.

    Dr. Kubas says that weight loss can frequently reduce sleep apnea as well.

    Time for a change: Insomnia

    “Patients with insomnia usually present with either significant problems getting to sleep at night and/or problems reinstating or maintaining sleep,” says Dr. Kubas. “People with insomnia are oftentimes clock-watching. They lay there trying to fight themselves to sleep.”

    DrOrders_FaribaultsSleepLab

    Dr. Kubas says much of the treatment involves education about sleep and healthy sleep practices. “Certainly some people are doing all the right things and still struggling, and they would benefit from medication. But most people can make lifestyle changes that will benefit sleep quality.”

    Feeling restless: Restless legs syndrome

    Restless legs syndrome is a common sleep disorder that causes an uncomfortable feeling in the legs, usually in the evening. 

    Different from the harmless habit some people have of bouncing their legs throughout the day, restless legs syndrome is an unconscious need to fidget that can create sleep-related disruptions, according to Dr. Kubas. 

    Providers typically check for low iron levels, which can be a contributing factor, but medications are available if the symptoms are frequent and bothersome enough.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Sleep

    Related Posts

    Kara Grottke RT Move away from the 'dark side' of sleep apnea with new CPAP masks
    Wearing a CPAP Test your CPAP IQ
    Sleep Apnea Do I have sleep apnea?

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System