Sesame is the first-ever healthcare marketplace that allows patients to book directly with licensed doctors and providers at affordable, upfront cash prices — no long wait times, no hidden fees, and no insurance needed. We call it "half-price healthcare."

How? We've stripped away all of the things that mark up the price of your care, like third-party billing fees and insurance middlemen. Instead, patients can book online and in-person care across 36+ specialties, including dermatology, mental health & weight loss, within 1-2 hours at the touch of a button.

Sleep is a vital function that keeps our bodies healthy, moods stable, and mind sharp. So how can you leverage a good night's sleep for maximum benefits? Here are a few strategies.

Make your bedroom more sleep-friendly: Make sure you're sleeping in a cool, dark, quiet place. Avoid artificial light from electronic devices, which can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle.

Be consistent with your sleep schedule: Going to bed at the same time each night is an easy way to balance out your sleep schedule and establish a routine that your circadian rhythm can match. Sleeping in and staying up late is tempting on the weekends, but the more regularly you go to bed at the same time, the more likely you'll keep insomnia at bay.

Avoid stimulants and depressants: Substances like nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol can disrupt sleep. If you're experiencing insomnia, think twice before you have that 4pm cup of coffee.

Get regular exercise: Exercising at least 5-6 hours before bed can help you fall and stay asleep more easily.

Avoid daytime naps: Save the sleep for bedtime.

Eat meals on a regular schedule: Late-night dinners can keep you awake at night. Sleep doctors recommend you eat dinner at similar times, well before bed, each day.

Practice stress management: Meditate, do yoga, read a book, or listen to soothing music. Follow a routine that helps you relax before bed.

Keep a sleep diary: The habits that are disrupting your sleep aren't always easy to notice. A sleep diary is a valuable tool for monitoring your sleep habits, documenting your sleep problems, and identifying patterns that may affect your sleep.

For more ideas on how to build healthy sleep habits, speak with one of the real, quality doctors on Sesame. Sesame can connect you directly with top-rated sleep specialists near you at affordable cash pay prices.

Sleep is a complex function, and many doctors are trained to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Depending on the nature of your sleep deficiency, a primary care physician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or pediatrician could be right for you.

If you're needing a good night's sleep Sesame can help! Sesame offers convenient sleep medicine specialist consultations near you at affordable cash-pay prices. Book directly with the doctor you want to see and save up to 60% on your appointment when you book through Sesame - no insurance needed.

Sleep physicians and sleep specialists are doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Most train in internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, or neurology, during their residency. After completing their residency, they complete a fellowship program in sleep medicine.

Sleep physicians that receive training in sleep medicine are accredited by the board certification from the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM).

Sleep psychologists are sleep specialists who focus on the mental and behavioral issues that may contribute to sleep problems.

Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctors or Otolaryngologists, will also perform procedures to address certain sleep issues. For example, repairing structural problems with the nose, mouth, or throat that cause snoring or obstructive sleep apnea.

If you're not getting enough sleep you're not alone. More than one-third of Americans (about 70 million people) describe their sleep as "poor" or "only fair." The most common symptoms of a sleep disorder are:

• Difficulty staying awake when not physically active.
  
• Struggling to pay attention or concentrate at work, school, or in social situations.
  
• Performance problems in school or at work.
  
• Consistently being told that you look sleepy.
  
• Difficulty with memory.
  
• Slowed reflexes or response times.
  
• Difficulty controlling your emotions.
  
• Feeling the constant need to nap.
  
• Snoring loudly.
  

If you're experiencing sleep issues, Sesame makes it easier than ever to get the treatment you need. Simply enter "sleep doctor" into our search engine, to get convenient results in Kingman, AZ right away.

Sleep disorders are as diverse in their effects as they are in their causes. Some of the most common sleep disorders that doctors treat include:

Insomnia: Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night.

Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea includes abnormal patterns in breathing while you are asleep. There are several types of sleep apnea.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS): Restless leg syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a type of sleep movement disorder in which patients feel an urge to move their legs while trying to fall asleep. This can lead to discomfort.

Periodic limb movement (PLM): Periodic limb movement is characterized by repetitive jerking or cramping in the legs while sleeping. PLM is the only movement disorder that occurs only during sleep. While it is often linked with RLS, they are not the same thing.

Narcolepsy: Characterized by extreme sleepiness during the day and falling asleep suddenly during the day.

Sleepwalking (somnambulism): Involves getting up and walking around while in a state of sleep.

In most cases, yes. Insurance providers will often help pay for the treatment of sleep disorders. Even with insurance, however, the amount you pay depends upon the healthcare provider that you have, and the out-of-pocket costs and deductibles tied to the plan. If you're looking to get better sleep, wrestling with your insurance company might not be your best option.

If lack of sleep is taking its toll on your quality of life, it's time to take back control. Sesame works directly with doctors - not insurance networks - to get you the care you need for affordable, upfront prices without copays or surprise bills. On Sesame, you get to see the sleep doctor who's right for you, not the one your insurance company says is right for you. Save up to 60% on your next sleep medicine consultation when you book with Sesame.

A sleep study is a diagnostic test that screens for sleep conditions. During a sleep study, doctors will monitor your heart rate, eye movement, brainwaves, oxygen saturation, and breathing while you sleep, getting the data they need to get to the bottom of - and ultimately treat - whatever is disrupting your normal sleep pattern.

Sleep studies are sometimes covered by insurance. Even with insurance, though, the amount you pay depends entirely on the relationship between your insurance company and the sleep institute conducting the study. The out-of-pocket cost will also depend on if you've met your deductible or not. The number of variables is enough to disrupt your sleep patterns even further.

If lack of sleep is dampening your quality of life, it's time to take back control. Sesame works directly with doctors - not insurance networks- so you can compare prices and book a visit with the sleep physician you want to see.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall or stay asleep, or may cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder in the United States. Roughly half of all people experience acute bouts of insomnia, and approximately 10% of Americans chronically suffer from the condition.

Most cases of insomnia are the result of poor sleep habits, depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, chronic illness, or certain medications.

Anyone can have the occasional sleepless night or experience short-term, acute insomnia. However, some people are at a higher risk of that condition becoming chronic. These patients often include:

Women: Hormonal shifts and bodily changes during menstruation, menopause, or pregnancy can all contribute to insomnia.

People over 60: Changes to health and sleep patterns in people around retirement as can lead to insomnia.

People with mental health conditions or physical health problems: There are many mental and physical risk factors that can increase the likelihood of insomnia such as chronic pain, obesity, an overactive or underactive thyroid, medical conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and more.

Irregular sleepers, night-shift workers, and frequent travelers: Working late hours or irregular shifts can disrupt your circadian rhythm and induce insomnia. People who travel often, whether for work or leisure, are similarly at risk for developing insomnia, as frequent time zone changes can interfere with the body's natural sleep processes.

People who experience a lot of stress: Stressful times may cause temporary insomnia. However, if the stress persists for a long period of time, insomnia could become chronic.

While difficulty falling asleep is the most recognizable symptom of insomnia, the condition presents a range of other side effects, including:

• Trouble falling asleep
  
• Waking up during the night
  
• Waking up too early
  
• Not feeling well-rested after a night's sleep
  
• Daytime sleepiness
  
• Struggling to concentrate on tasks
  
• Difficulty remembering
  
• An increase in errors and accidents
  
• Worrying about sleep
  
• Irritability, anxiety, or depression
  

Insomnia affects much more than your mood and your focus. Studies have shown it may contribute to greater problems such as high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and more.

If you're suffering from a lack of sleep, let us help! Sesame makes it easier than ever to get in touch with sleep specialists near you. You can usually book a visit as early as the next day, all at prices up to 60% less than what you'll find through insurance networks. Why wait?

Insomnia can be both be a condition in and of itself, known as primary insomnia, or a side effect of another underlying condition, like stress, depression, or anxiety. Insomnia can also be brought on by stress or major life events - like marriages, new jobs, or financial difficulties. Often times treating the underlying cause can resolve insomnia, though in some cases it can last for years.

Some of the most common causes include:

Stress: We've all got it! Worrying about work, school, health, finances, or other stressors can keeps your mind active at night, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Travel or an unusual work schedule: Jet lag from traveling across multiple time zones or fatigue from picking up irregular shifts at work can upset your circadian rhythms and interfere with your sleep quality.

Poor sleep habits or "sleep hygiene:" A poor sleep routine could make it difficult for you to fall and stay asleep. Poor sleep habits include irregular sleep schedules, poorly timed naps, stimulating activities before bed, uncomfortable sleep environments, or too much artificial light from screens and devices.

Eating too much, much too late: Having a little snack before bedtime shouldn't be a problem. If you're having a meal too close to your bedtime, though, it can cause heartburn, bloating, and other discomforts that might keep you awake.

The best way to stop insomnia is to make lifestyle changes that benefit your sleep quality, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Usually, the first type of treatment recommended for chronic insomnia is a type of counseling known as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I draws connections between the way we act, feel, think, sleep - applying a holistic approach to sleep to get you the insomnia relief you need.

There are also, several medicines that can help manage your insomnia and fix your sleep patterns. There are plenty of prescription sleeping pills that have been shown to help improve sleep when tested against a placebo. In some cases, healthcare providers may choose to prescribe medicines for related health conditions that are not yet approved by the FDA to treat insomnia. These may include antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Many people also see great results with over-the-counter medicines, sleep aids, and supplements like melatonin.

If insomnia is getting you down, it's time to take back control. Save up to 60% when you book a sleep consultation through Sesame today!

Pretty common! According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, it is currently estimated that 26 percent of adults between the ages of 30 and 70 years have sleep apnea.

Does your bed partner complain that you snore? Are you experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness or difficulty concentrating during the day? Do you often awaken with a dry mouth or sore throat or have abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking? These are just a handful of sleep apnea symptoms.

Sleep deprivation can have a profound impact on your quality of life. If you believe you may be suffering from a sleeping disorder, let Sesame help! Sesame offers convenient and affordable consultations with sleep specialists in Kingman, AZ at affordable cash-pay prices. Book directly with the doctor you want to see and save up to 60% on your appointment when you book through Sesame - no insurance needed.

Sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition in which breathing becomes labored and sporadic during sleep. Doctors treat three different kinds of sleep apnea, which include:

Obstructive sleep apnea: This is the most common form of sleep apnea and occurs when the throat muscles relax and obstruct breathing.

Central sleep apnea: Central sleep apnea is an issue not of the throat but of the brain. In patients with this condition, the brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.

Complex sleep apnea syndrome: Also known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, complex sleep apnea occurs when a patient suffers from both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea.

While symptoms vary across these three conditions, signs of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea do sometimes overlap, making it difficult to determine which type you may have. Some of these symptoms include:

• Loud snoring
  
• Episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep — which would be reported by another person
  
• Gasping for air during sleep
  
• Awakening with a dry mouth
  
• Morning headache
  
• Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
  
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
  
• Difficulty paying attention while awake
  
• Irritability
  

Loud snoring can pose a potentially serious problem, however, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who has sleep apnea snores.

Connect with a real, quality doctor on Sesame who can assess your symptoms and get you the care you need - all for one affordable, upfront price. Save 60% on your next sleep consult when you book with Sesame.

CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) is the most common and reliable treatment for sleep apnea. CPAP prevents snoring and apnea by providing air pressure that is greater than the surrounding air, helping keep your upper airway passages open.

Some people may find the CPAP to be too bulky and uncomfortable and give up on the CPAP machine. With practice, though, most people can find a comfortable and secure fit. You may need to try more than one type of CPAP mask and experiment with the tension on the straps to find the fit that you prefer.

If you have mild obstructive sleep apnea you may be able to see great improvements through a few lifestyle changes. Here are a few tips:

- Lose weight: Even slight weight loss can help lessen the constriction in your throat. Not to mention obesity can put you at increased risk of other health problems such as heart disease or a heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more.

- Exercise: Regular exercise can help alleviate symptoms even if you don't lose any weight.

- Abstain from alcohol or sleeping pills: These relax the muscles in the back of the throat that interfere with breathing.

- Try sleeping on your side or stomach: Sleeping on your back can cause your tongue and soft palate to relax against the back of the throat, causing airway obstruction. Some doctors might recommend positional therapy as a short-term remedy for this. One do-it-yourself trick to keep you from rolling onto your back is by attaching a tennis ball to the back of your shirt or pajama top.

- Quit smoking: Smoking can lead to medical conditions beyond just sleep disorders. If you're struggling to quit, your primary care physician may be able to connect you with resources to help.

For more information on alleviating sleep problems, consult a healthcare professional. Sesame makes it easier than ever. Simply search for sleep specialists in Kingman, AZ in our search engine, compare prices, and book directly on the site.

If you're not seeing improvements with CPAP therapy, there are still plenty of options available. Those include:

- PAP Devices: PAP devices, such as an Auto-CPAP device, automatically adjust air pressure while you're sleeping. Another option is a bilevel positive airway pressure (BPAP), which provides more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale.

- Oral Devices: Oral appliances such as a mandibular advancement device (MAD). A MAD is a mouthpiece that moves the lower jaw forward preventing blockages of the airway.

- Medical Treatment: Treating associated medical conditions. Central sleep apnea that may be caused by heart or neuromuscular disorders can benefit from treating those underlying causes. Overly large tonsils and adenoids may also restrict airflow. In these cases, a tonsillectomy may help.

- Ventilation Devices: An adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV) device can be used for treating either central sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The ASV device stores information about your normal breathing pattern and automatically adjusts the airflow pressure to prevent pauses in your breathing while you sleep. ASV may be more effective than other PAP devices, but might not be the best choice for people with predominant central sleep apnea or for those who have experienced advanced heart failure.

There are several effective treatment options for helping you sleep at night, including - a CPAP device, mouthpieces, hypoglossal nerve stimulation, or special pillows. In cases of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in which you have not responded well to any of these treatments, your doctor may recommend surgery. The type of surgery will depend on the part of the body causing the issue - nose, tongue, palate (the soft tissue in the back of your mouth and throat), or the bones in your face, neck, or jaw.

- Nasal surgery: The most common type of nasal surgery is the correction of a deviated septum (when the cartilage separating your nostrils is off-center). This is usually meant to improve the use of CPAP and is not likely to get rid of the apnea entirely.

- Tongue surgery: The two most common tongue surgeries are a lingual tonsillectomy, in which doctors remove part of the base of the tongue, or a genioglossus advancement, which firms up the tongue by pulling the muscle that attaches to your lower jaw forward.

- Patate surgeries include: Tonsillectomy (removal of the tonsils), uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (also known as UPPP or UP3, this is the rearranging of throat tissue to make a bigger airway), palate radiofrequency (the doctor will zap the soft tissue that makes up your palate. As you heal the tissues will stiffen and shrink), and palate implants (small fiber rods are used to stiffen the tissue and keep the airway open.

- Skeletal surgery: This type of surgery aims to change the shape of your airway by moving your jawbones. The most effective (but also most invasive) type of skeletal surgery is called maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) in which the surgeon breaks your upper and lower jaws and moves them forward to make a bigger airway. This generally requires a few days in the hospital. Afterward, your jaw will be held together by tight rubberbands which your doctor will remove at each of your follow-up visits over the following weeks. Another option is called anterior inferior mandibular osteotomy with hyoid suspension. In this type of surgery part of the bone in your chin is removed and your tongue and neck muscles are pulled forward to make more space in your airway. This is less effective than MMA, but you won't need to have your jaws held together during your recovery.