Valley Sleep Center Chandler

10/22/2026

Your Body Has a Clock. Is Yours Running on Schedule?
Ever feel wide awake at midnight but exhausted at 7 a.m.?
Your internal body clock — your circadian rhythm — helps regulate when you're naturally sleepy and when you're alert.
When that internal clock doesn't line up with the schedule you're expected to follow, you may be dealing with a circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder.
It can affect:
🌙 When you fall asleep
☀️ When you wake up
💼 Your ability to function during the day
😴 How rested you feel
Shift workers, frequent travelers and people with naturally delayed sleep schedules may be particularly familiar with this struggle.
Sometimes the problem isn't that you can't sleep.
It's that your body's clock and your schedule aren't agreeing.

10/21/2026

☕😴 Can coffee and a quick nap work better together?

It may sound counterintuitive, but a “coffee nap” could be a useful way to combat that afternoon slump!

We’re proud to see Lauri Leadley, CCSH, RPSGT, Founder and President of Valley Sleep Center, featured as a sleep expert in Real Simple, sharing insights on sleep cycles, daytime fatigue and why getting enough quality sleep matters.

Curious about the science behind coffee naps and what sleep experts recommend? Read the full article! 👇

🔗 https://www.realsimple.com/why-you-should-take-a-coffee-nap-12182582

A coffee nap pairs caffeine with a 15- to 20-minute snooze for a double boost of alertness. Sleep experts explain how it works, when to try it, and who should skip it.

10/20/2026

Central vs. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: What's the Difference?
They're both called sleep apnea.
But they're not the same thing.
With obstructive sleep apnea, breathing pauses because the upper airway becomes blocked or collapses during sleep.
With central sleep apnea, the airway isn't necessarily blocked. Instead, the brain temporarily doesn't send the proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Different causes.
Different mechanisms.
And potentially different treatment approaches.
That's why getting an accurate diagnosis matters.
When it comes to sleep apnea, one size definitely does not fit all.

10/19/2026

When Your Dreams Spill Into the Real World
Talking in your sleep once in a while?
Probably nothing unusual.
But regularly acting out your dreams — punching, kicking, shouting, grabbing or making other movements — can be something different.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder occurs when the normal muscle paralysis associated with REM sleep doesn't work as expected, allowing a person to physically act out dream content.
It can be particularly concerning when a person or their bed partner is getting injured.
If nighttime behaviors are frequent, intense or potentially dangerous, it's time to talk with a sleep professional.
Your dreams shouldn't put you or your bed partner at risk.

10/17/2026

Insomnia: When Sleep Doesn't Come Easily
Everyone has an occasional bad night.
Insomnia is different.
It can mean having difficulty:
🌙 Falling asleep
🌙 Staying asleep
🌙 Waking up too early
🌙 Getting restorative sleep
And the effects can follow you into the next day — affecting mood, concentration, energy and your ability to function at your best.
One important thing to remember:
Insomnia isn't simply a failure to “try harder” to sleep.
There can be many contributing factors, and persistent insomnia deserves attention.
If sleepless nights have become your normal, it may be time to stop counting sheep and start looking for answers.

10/15/2026

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder: Moving While You Sleep
You may not remember moving during the night.
But your body might.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) involves repeated, involuntary movements of the limbs during sleep.
These movements can occur repeatedly throughout the night and may interfere with the quality of your sleep — sometimes without you even realizing they're happening.
A partner may notice the movements before you do.
If you're getting what should be enough sleep but still wake up feeling exhausted, there can be many possible explanations.
Sometimes the problem isn't how long you're sleeping.
It's how well you're sleeping.

10/13/2026

Narcolepsy: It's Not a Character Flaw
“Why can't you just stay awake?”
For someone living with narcolepsy, that question can be incredibly frustrating.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder — not laziness, lack of motivation or simply being someone who “needs more sleep.”
People with narcolepsy can experience severe daytime sleepiness and other symptoms that can interfere with work, school, driving and everyday activities.
And because excessive sleepiness has many possible causes, getting an accurate diagnosis is important.
If you're struggling to stay awake despite making an effort to get enough sleep, don't just blame yourself.
There may be a medical reason.

10/12/2026

Today we recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honor the history, cultures, traditions and contributions of Indigenous peoples.
It's also a reminder that every community is made stronger by the many different people, experiences and perspectives within it.
At Valley Sleep Center and Valley Sleep Therapy, we're grateful for the opportunity to care for our community — one patient, one family and one night of sleep at a time.
Better health starts with caring for the whole person.

10/12/2026

Today we recognize Columbus Day.
It's also an opportunity to reflect on how history is remembered, whose perspectives are represented and how our understanding of the past continues to evolve.
At Valley Sleep Center and Valley Sleep Therapy, we care for people from many different backgrounds and walks of life.
Regardless of where you come from or where life takes you, everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue better health — and better sleep.

10/10/2026

Central Sleep Apnea: When the Brain and Breathing Don't Communicate
We often hear about obstructive sleep apnea, but there's another form of sleep apnea that deserves attention.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) isn't caused by a blocked airway.
Instead, the brain temporarily fails to send the signals that tell the muscles responsible for breathing to work.
The result?
Breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
CSA can have different causes and may be associated with certain medical conditions or medications.
The important takeaway: not all sleep apnea looks the same — and treatment isn't one-size-fits-all.
If you're experiencing unexplained daytime sleepiness, disrupted sleep or other concerning symptoms, a proper sleep evaluation can help determine what's really going on.