Sleep & Health – Karen L. Lee, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone – The Many Advances in Sleep Medicine

Karen L. Lee, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, NYU Langone, delivers an overview of her important work in the fields of neurology and sleep medicine.

Dr. Lee holds board certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Sleep Medicine), 2013, and the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology (Neurology), 2012. At NYU Langone, she specializes in treating patients who suffer from sleep disorders.

Dr. Lee discusses her background in neurology and her personal story. During her extensive medical studies, she found the study of sleep to be particularly fascinating from a neurological perspective. As she explains, while you might think of sleep as a shutting down period, there are actually many important processes taking place during our sleep.

Dr. Lee talks about sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. As she explains, restless leg syndrome is sometimes hard to diagnose because many people who suffer from it have difficulty truly describing exactly how it affects them, but it typically manifests in discomfort, either in the legs, possibly arms as well, or other parts of the body. She discusses the many ways that sufferers describe it, like discomfort or a tingling sensation, a prickly feeling, or soreness. She explains when it often occurs and talks about treatment options, and how many people experience relief by moving their legs, though relief may be only temporary.

Dr. Lee details sleep apnea and explain how it affects the upper airways. She elaborates on the symptoms and treatments, and the many options for apnea sufferers. Poor quality sleep is related to multiple conditions and various diseases, such as stroke, anxiety and depression, headaches, poor concentration, chronic pain, heart disease, dementia, obesity, hypertension, and more.

Dr. Lee has a keen interest in treating patients who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and other disorders related to sleep.