Sleep is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Just as healthy food and regular exercise are pillars of overall health, so is good sleep. Yet millions of adults struggle to get the rest they need. At Cullman Internal Medicine, we regularly see how poor sleep impacts energy levels, mood, heart health, weight, and chronic conditions.
If you are tossing and turning at night or waking up feeling exhausted, you are not alone. The good news is that many sleep disorders can be identified and treated. With the right support and healthy habits, better sleep is possible.
Why Sleep Is So Important to Your Health
Sleep is when your body repairs and restores itself. While you rest, your brain processes information, your muscles recover, and your immune system strengthens. Hormones that regulate appetite, stress, and growth are also balanced during sleep.
When sleep is disrupted, your health can suffer. Poor sleep has been linked to:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Weight gain
Depression and anxiety
Weakened immune function
Memory and concentration problems
Over time, chronic sleep deprivation can increase the risk of serious health conditions. That is why addressing sleep issues early is so important.
The Most Common Sleep Disorders
Understanding the cause of your sleep problems is the first step toward finding relief. Here are some of the most common sleep disorders we evaluate and treat.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. It involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to fall back asleep. Some people experience short-term insomnia related to stress or life changes. Others struggle with chronic insomnia that lasts for months or even years.
Insomnia can be considered primary or secondary. Primary insomnia is the disorder itself, while secondary insomnia can be considered a symptom and occurs when sleep-related issues are the byproduct of another health concern, medication, or some other issue.
Symptoms often include daytime fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, and low mood. Insomnia can be caused by stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, medications, or poor sleep habits.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a serious condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the airway becomes blocked. An estimated 30 million Americans have this condition, and many may not even know it.
Common signs include loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, morning headaches, dry mouth, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Many people do not realize they have sleep apnea until a partner notices the symptoms.
Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Proper diagnosis and treatment can dramatically improve both sleep quality and overall health.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and a strong urge to move them, especially at night. This can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
People often describe the feeling as tingling, crawling, or aching. Moving the legs may provide temporary relief. Restless legs syndrome can be associated with iron deficiency, kidney disease, or certain medications.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder that affects the brain’s ability to regulate sleep and wake cycles. People with narcolepsy may experience excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden sleep attacks.
Although less common, narcolepsy can significantly impact daily life and safety. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms effectively.
Circadian Rhythm Disorders
Your body has an internal clock that regulates when you feel awake and when you feel sleepy. Circadian rhythm disorders occur when this clock is out of sync. Shift workers and frequent travelers often experience these issues.
Symptoms include difficulty falling asleep at the desired time, excessive daytime sleepiness, and difficulty waking up in the morning.
How Cullman Internal Medicine Can Help
At Cullman Internal Medicine, we take a comprehensive approach to sleep concerns. We start by listening. Understanding your symptoms, medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits helps us identify possible causes.
We may recommend sleep studies if sleep apnea or other complex disorders are suspected. We also evaluate for underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease, anemia, depression, or chronic pain that may be interfering with your rest.
Our goal is not just to treat symptoms, but to improve your overall health. Better sleep often leads to better blood pressure control, improved blood sugar levels, weight management, and enhanced mood.
What Is Good Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene refers to healthy habits and routines that promote consistent, quality sleep. Many sleep problems can be improved by making simple changes to daily behavior and the sleep environment.
Good sleep hygiene includes maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a calm bedroom environment, and limiting activities that interfere with sleep.
Small adjustments can make a big difference.
Tips for Sleeping Better
Stick to a Consistent Schedule
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your internal clock and makes it easier to fall asleep naturally.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine
Give your body time to wind down. Reading, gentle stretching, deep breathing, or a warm bath can signal to your brain that it is time to sleep. Find something that works for you and stick with it.
Limit Screen Time Before Bed
Phones, tablets, and televisions emit blue light that interferes with melatonin production. Try to avoid screens at least one hour before bedtime.
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol close to bedtime. While alcohol may make you feel sleepy at first, it often disrupts sleep later in the night.
Make Your Bedroom Sleep-Friendly
Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows. Consider blackout curtains or a white noise machine if needed.
Stay Physically Active
Regular exercise supports better sleep. Aim for most of your physical activity earlier in the day. Vigorous workouts right before bed may make it harder to fall asleep.
Manage Stress
Chronic stress is a major cause of insomnia. Journaling, prayer, meditation, or talking with a trusted friend can help calm the mind before bedtime.
Know When to Seek Help
If you consistently struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested, it may be time to speak with your healthcare provider. Loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or extreme daytime fatigue should never be ignored.
Better Sleep Starts with a Conversation
Sleep affects every part of your health. When you sleep better, you think more clearly, feel more energized, and reduce your risk of chronic disease. Addressing sleep disorders is not just about comfort. It is about protecting your long-term health.
At Cullman Internal Medicine, we are committed to helping our patients live healthier, fuller lives. If sleep problems are holding you back, we are here to help you uncover the cause and create a personalized plan for improvement. If you are tired of sleepless nights, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will work with you to determine the underlying cause of your sleep disturbances and create an action plan tailored to you.
You deserve restful nights and productive days. Sometimes, the first step toward living better is simply learning how to sleep better.
Bethany is a board-certified family medicine Nurse Practitioner. She grew up in Cullman, watching her father, a physician, and her mother, a nurse, care for patients with both their hearts and hands. She learned from them that not only working hard, but loving and treating patients like family would develop the career that best suited her desire to help others. She has been caring for patients at Cullman Internal Medicine for 25 years. Building long-lasting relationships with her patients is important to her, and she genuinely enjoys being a part of their lives. She strives to provide compassionate, competent medical care which fosters an environment of mutual trust and respect.
Bobi Jo Creel is a board-certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ANCC-ACNP) with over 20 years of nursing experience. Born and raised in Cullman County, Alabama, she is deeply committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to adults and seniors in her local community.
Alicia is from Thomasville, Ga, but practiced in Burlington, Iowa from 2017 until joining Cullman Internal Medicine in 2025. Most of Alicia’s experience is in rural primary healthcare, which is where she learned of her passion for caring for patients with diabetes. From 2023 – 2025, her sole focus was assisting individuals in manage their condition more effectively, with a strong emphasis on long-term health and prevention of complications.
Pam is a lifelong resident of Marshall County and a graduate of Albertville High School, Class of 1976. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1981. Pam began her career in emergency and critical care nursing, serving in both the ER and ICU. When Marshall Medical Center North (MMCN) opened in 1990, she became the Nurse Manager of the ICU.
Stacey Varden is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who works alongside Dr. Jeremy Stidham in Internal Medicine. She earned her Master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and collectively has over 18 years of nursing experience. Before becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she served as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department at Children’s of Alabama, where she developed a strong foundation in acute and compassionate patient care.
Lorie Jones is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner born & raised in Cullman, Alabama. Her nursing career began in 1997 after earning her Licensed Practical Nursing diploma from Wallace State Community College, followed by an Associate Degree in Nursing in 2000. She gained extensive clinical experience working at both Woodland Medical Center and Cullman Regional Medical Center before advancing her education to become a nurse practitioner.
Mollie Dockery, MSN, FNP-C, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a passion for providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients of all ages. With over 14 years of nursing experience and two years in advanced practice, Mollie brings a deep understanding of patient needs, especially in managing chronic conditions and promoting preventive health. Her approach is rooted in empathy, education, and a strong commitment to individualized care.
Kristy is known for providing personalized, expert care in Sleep and Lung Health, where she empowers patients thru education, awareness, supportive listening and compassionate guidance. A Cullman native, Kristy is deeply rooted in our community and shares a sincere
With over 15 years of nursing experience, Nancy Cornell is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) committed to providing high-quality care to her patients. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Western Governors University in 2017, she went on to complete her Master’s degree in Nursing in 2022. For two years, Nancy has been a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, applying her expertise in community urgent care to treat a diverse range of health needs.
Clark Still is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Cullman Internal Medicine. Clark is also the founder of New Beginnings Counseling of Cullman. He specializes in Christian-Based Professional Counseling.
Charlie Thornton has spent more than 24 years caring for others in a variety of healthcare roles—including paramedic, registered nurse, and for the past 10 years, nurse practitioner. He began his training at Wallace State Community College, completed his nursing degree at Jacksonville State University, and went on to earn graduate degrees from the University of South Alabama, where he became board certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner and an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
Jeremy Stidham, M.D., is a board-certified internal medicine physician who has been caring for patients in Cullman for more than 15 years. He currently serves as President of Cullman Internal Medicine and the Cullman Physician Alliance, where he works alongside a team of dedicated colleagues to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Nathan is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with a rich background spanning over two decades in healthcare. For the past ten years, Nathan has been a vital part of the CIM team as a Nurse Practitioner, also serving as a hospitalist nurse practitioner when needed. His extensive foundation was built over 19 years as a critical care registered nurse. Nathan is an alumnus of Wallace State Community College (RN), Jacksonville State College (BSN), and UAB (MSN), holding his nurse practitioner certification from the ANCC.
Dr. Benjamin Rogers obtained a degree in Classical Studies from Hillsdale College before attending medical school at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He then completed an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University. He joined Cullman Internal Medicine in 2012.
Morgan McHugh, CRNP, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a special focus on diabetes management. A native of Hartselle, Alabama, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Dr. Erin Britt is a compassionate physician proudly serving her local community as a hometown provider. Raised in Cullman, Alabama, Dr. Britt graduated from Cullman High School. Her desire to care for others lead to enrollment at the Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM), where she earned her medical degree.
The goal of my practice is to help patients achieve optimal health. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, taking care of our mental health, and achieving quality sleep are all crucial for feeling good and living a healthy, enjoyable life. However, sometimes weight gain and hormone imbalances can get in the way.
Naykala is a Triple Board-Certified physician with over 25yrs of experience, dedicated to delivering comprehensive patient-centered care. Her practice emphasizes a whole-body approach, combining traditional Internal Medicine with advanced training in Obesity Medicine and Medical Acupuncture. She evaluates complex medical conditions with a focus on identifying root causes–especially those contributing to weight gain—and provides thoughtful, integrative treatment plans. Naykala’s 10 years of service in the U.S. Air Force deepened her commitment to non-pharmacologic pain management, and acupuncture has become a meaningful part of how she cares for patients.
Dr Parker grew up in Cullman County and attended West Point High School. His path to medicine was not direct. After high school, He attended Wallace State Community college and received an associates degree in business. Shortly after graduating Brian was married to his wife Karen. Unsure of what to do next he left his job as a butcher for the local Walmart distribution center where he would work for the next 7 years. After reflecting on his goals and desire to help others he decided to pursue medicine.
Dr. Vintson is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician originally from Cullman. She graduated medical school from Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, AL, and completed residency training at UAB Family Medicine in Huntsville. Dr. Vintson practices medicine seeing the patient as a whole person, understanding there are many components of one’s life that affects overall health and wellness. She loves seeing a variety of patient ages throughout her day and feels this is what makes family medicine and primary care so special. In addition to routine primary care she especially enjoys women’s health and preventative medicine, including Pap smears and menopause care, as well as diabetes management, nutrition, and mental health care. Dr. Vintson loves the Lord and enjoys time on the lake with her family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and podcasts. She has two young children and a loving husband of 12 years.
Dr. Adam Harrison is proud to serve his hometown of Cullman as a dedicated physician. A local from East Elementary through Cullman High, he earned his Biomedical Sciences degree from Auburn University, completed medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and his residency at UAB Huntsville Family Medicine. Drawn by the opportunity to give back to his community, Dr. Harrison chose to build his career at Cullman Internal Medicine.