Find expert answers to your health questions

Thomas Freedom

Bio

Phone: 1-866-730-5757

Dr. Thomas Freedom is the program director of the NorthShore University HealthSystem Sleep Program. He received his MD from the University of Illinois-Chicago. Following a neurology residency and fellowship training at Loyola University Medical Center, he joined the faculty and neurology department at Loyola where he was the co-director of the Sleep Disorders Program. Dr. Freedom joined NorthShore University HealthSystem in January of 2004. In addition to sleep disorders and general neurology, Dr. Freedom has a special interest in headache disorders. He is board certified in Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, and Sleep Medicine. He sees patients at Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals.

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Neurology:
    Cellphone Use May Reveal Your 'Dominant Brain'

    FRIDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests the dominant side of your brain may make the call on which ear you choose to use while talking on your cellphone.

    The dominant side of your brain is where your speech and language center resides. Ninety-five percent of the human pop...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Neurology:
    Condition Commonly Seen in Aging May Alter Brain Function

    MONDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- A condition known as leukoaraiosis alters brain function in older people, according to a small new study.

    Contrary to past belief, researchers found this common condition, in which diseased blood vessels lead to small areas of...Full Article

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Neurology:
    Migraines Not Linked to Decline in Thinking Skills

    FRIDAY, Aug. 10 (HealthDay News) -- Although they are common and often debilitating, migraine headaches are not associated with declines in thinking skills, researchers say.

    "Previous studies on migraines and cognitive [brain] decline were small and unable to identify a link between the t...Full Article

  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What should I do if I wake up at night and can't fall back asleep?
    If you are not able to fall back asleep within a short period of time (longer than 20 minutes), it is often better to get out of bed, sit somewhere comfortable and do something that might help you get back to sleep (reading, listening to soothing music, etc). Only go back to bed when you...  Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    Is it possible to sleep too much?
    Yes, at least too much time in bed is probably not conducive to good quality sleep. However, it is also possible that someone could have an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea that could be compromising the quality of sleep. In that case, regardless of how much sleep someone has...  Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What can I do to reduce my snoring?
    For snoring, weight management, body position (not sleeping on your back), avoiding alcohol, and treating acid reflux and nasal congestion may be helpful. Sometimes nasal strips can help.


     Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How does obesity affect quality of sleep?
    It depends on how overweight a person is. In extreme obesity the decreased mobility, i.e., the ability to turn in bed, could have an impact on the quality of sleep. Finding a bed to accommodate someone who is severely obese may be difficult. There are a number diseases associated with obesity...  Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What can I do to reduce my snoring?
    For snoring, weight management, body position (not sleeping on your back), avoiding alcohol, and treating acid reflux and nasal congestion may be helpful. Sometimes nasal strips can help.


     Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    What is narcolepsy?
    Narcolepsy is a neurological condition associated with sleepiness in the day, attacks of weakness with emotion (cataplexy), waking up from sleep completely unable to move (sleep paralysis), hallucinations as one falls asleep and disrupted nighttime sleep. The diagnosis can be made based on...  Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    Do I need prescription medication for my insomnia?
    Medication is almost never the first treatment for problems with sleep. A thorough evaluation for the causes of the sleep problem is the first step. If no specific medical or sleep disorder is found, then behavioral treatment is usually more effective than medication. Sometimes, medications...  Full Post
  • Thomas Freedom
    Thomas Freedom of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:
    How can I get a good night's sleep?
    To ensure a good night's sleep, keep regular sleep hours, awaken at the same time every day, go to bed only when sleepy, make the bedroom conducive to good sleep (decrease noise, low lights, comfortable bed, comfortable room temperature, etc.) and remove distractions such as televisions and...  Full Post