Sleep Medicine
If you snored, had a headache this morning, or are tired today you may not be getting the sleep you need to function your best. Millions of people have chronic sleep disorders that prevent them from maintaining a normal, healthy sleep/wake cycle. Non-restorative sleep and the ill effects of sleep disorders can lead to:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Reduced attention and memory
- More frequent illness
- Lost productivity
- Cardiac dysfunction
Sleep Lab
The sleep lab offers those with sleep trouble a full sleep study (polysomnographic evaluation), education, and treatment services. The sleep lab facility combines the latest diagnostic technology with a hotel-like atmosphere. Each spacious room features a private bath, recliner, calming decor, TV, writing desk, and comfortable memory foam bed to put you at ease. Light refreshments are also available.
Focusing on sleep disorder breathing such as sleep apnea, we perform sleep studies that provide clinical staff with a detailed picture of your entire sleep cycle. The studies allow technicians to analyze your exact sleep pattern, from your progression through the 5 normal levels of sleep, to your breathing, oxygen levels, heartbeat, movement, and snoring activity. Data from the sturdy is invaluable in diagnosing and treating any sleep disorder you may have. The morning following your sleep study, experts will begin to analyze your results. Some may begin treatment as soon as the next day.
Lifestyle Changes
In mild cases, modifications in habits and lifestyle may effectively treat sleeping disorders. Weight loss, smoking cessation, and changes in sleep hygiene all may help your condition.
Sleep Apnea
CPAP
The most common form of treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea is the use of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) equipment during sleep. CPAP devices use small masks and bedside machines that regulate air flow to keep your airway from closing during sleep.
Sleep apnea is a medical disorder that causes a person to stop breathing for periods of time during sleep. Sleep apnea can be caused by airway blockages or brain signal problems. Those with sleep apnea may stop breathing dozens or hundreds of times a night, for 10 seconds or more each time. This causes the person to gasp for air, interrupting the normal sleep cycle and often preventing deep sleep.
For those diagnosed with sleep apnea, follow-up visits and education are extremely important. You may need help getting started with incorporating CPAP into your routine, or have questions about sleep hygiene. We are willing to partner with your primary care physician and home care company in helping you adjust to your new treatment, and ensure the best possible outcome.
You may feel anxious if your physician recommends a sleep study, questions about the process are natural. To help put you at ease, we have compiled a list of sleep study facts.
