Your First Visit
When you make an appointment or are referred by your physician,
you will receive a packet that includes a medical and
sleep questionnaire. Please bring all these forms completed
with you for your first visit. During this visit the physician
will talk to you about your problems by asking pertinent
questions and perform a physical assessment. Your doctor
will then discuss the findings with you and make recommendations.
Sleep Testing and Diagnosis
If your evaluation indicates a sleep study is necessary,
you will be asked to participate in an overnight sleep
study. During the test you will spend the night in a
private, comfortable “sleep suite” with
a shower, cable TV, telephone and either a full or queen-size
bed. Throughout the night our technicians will monitor
you for sleep stages, blood oxygen saturation, body
movements and breathing patterns. Additional daytime
testing may be required.
Think you maybe a candidate?
Naps can definitely help refresh you when you are tired,
but a nap really can't compare to a full night's sleep.
That's because you pass through several different stages
of sleep during the night, including REM (rapid-eye
movement). REM is thought to play an important role
in energizing the brain and body and in enhancing daytime
memory and performance. Non-rapid eye movement (NREM)
ranges from light to deep, restorative sleep. If you
nap for an hour and a half or less, you are most likely
experiencing only NREM sleep.
Leading
The Way In The Diagnosis and Treatment Of Sleep Disorders At Sleep Medicine Specialists
it is our goal to restore your quality of life by helping
you to achieve restful, restorative sleep. Our
physicians have over 50 years
of practical experience and use state of the art equipment.
Our facilities are designed to provide the greatest
possible comfort and privacy and we are certified by
the American Sleep Disorders Association.
Sleep Disorders and Their Symptoms
A sleep disorder is defined as any condition that disrupts
the normal pattern of sleep and wakefulness. It was
leave you feeling tired, sleepy, depressed, irritable,
and anxious during the day. It can affect your memory,
reduce productivity and make you prone to accidents,
affect your sexual function. The following are some of the most common disorders,
all of which can be diagnosed and effectively treated.
When a sleep disorder is not diagnosed and treated, there is an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and heart attack, stroke, fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents, and decreased quality of life. A sleep disorder is a serious, potentially life-altering and life-threatening condition that can be easily identified and effectively treated. It is our goal to restore your quality of life by helping you experience the benefits of restorative, energizing and revitalizing sleep.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep.
It may be short term or a chronic problem. A number
of factors may contribute to insomnia including involuntary
muscle movements, underlying medical disorders, environmental
factors or psychological problems such as stress or
depression. Breathing difficulties which can worsen
during sleep may also cause insomnia.
Narcolepsy
A surprisingly common sleep disorder, narcolepsy, is
characterized by persistent daytime sleepiness despite
adequate nighttime sleep. Other symptoms may include
“sleep attacks” throughout the day, vivid
nightmares or hallucinations when falling asleep, muscle
paralysis at the onset of sleep or sudden muscle weakness
during periods of strong emotion. Narcolepsy often interferes
with performance at work or school, and the sufferer
may be inappropriately labeled as lazy or slow.
Periodic Limb
Movements
The primary sign of this disorder is kicking or jerking
of the arms or legs throughout the night. It is caused
by involuntary muscle contractions during sleep. Symptoms
may include a crawling sensation or a restless feeling
which disappears with motion. Daytime sleepiness due
to frequent awakenings is the most common complaint.
Sleep/Wake
Schedule Disorders
Interruptions such as shift work, jet lag and seasonal
time changes may result in insomnia or excessive sleepiness
and make it difficult for some people to adjust to a
schedule to suit their needs.
Work Related
Problems
Do you drive a vehicle or operate machinery at work
and find you are experiencing excessive sleepiness?
Have you ever had near accidents or fallen asleep during
meetings? Sleep Medicine Specialists can help to identify
and correct your disorder before it causes a serious
problem for you.
Sleep
Apnea and Snoring
For most people snoring is not a medical problem. However,
loud and constant snoring may indicate a serious sleep
disorder called sleep apnea. With this potentially life
threatening disorder, breathing is obstructed and then
resumes with loud snoring. This pattern may be repeated
hundreds of times throughout the night resulting in
multiple awakenings and oxygen desaturation. Sleep Apnea
is associated with an increase in car accidents and
may be related to sudden death during sleep. The primary
daytime symptom is excessive sleepiness.
Obstructive Sleep
Apnea
- Consequences Include
Sleep disruption, walking sleepiness, poor job performance,
decreased quality of life and/or increased motor vehicle
accidents. In addition, sleep apnea may contribute to
systemic hypertension, mild pulmonary hypertension,
arryhthmias, decreased lung volume function, worsening
congestive heart failure and, possibly, myocardial infarction
and stroke.
- Diagnosis
Medical diagnosis is a requirement when treating snoring
and sleep apnea. A study is indicated.
- Treatment Options
Upon completion of your study, we will schedule a follow-up
visit with your physician to review all results and
treatment recommendations. Once a sleep disorder is
diagnosed, it can almost always be treated successfully.
Treatment may include medication, changes in daily habits
or work schedules, or the use of a simple device to
relieve upper-airway obstruction. A follow up visit
may be recommended to check your progress; however,
once the diagnosis is made, your personal physician
will manage any long-term care you may need.
Leading
The Way In The Diagnosis and Treatment Of Sleep Disorders
