Sleep Medicine Specialists

	This region's leader in the diagnosis, treatment, and research of sleep disorders. Founded in 1988, Sleep Medicine Specialists specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related disorders. According to the National Sleep Foundation, nearly 74% of American Adults are experiencing a sleeping problem. There are approximately 70 million Americans who suffer from sleep problems, among which most have a diagnosable and treatable disorder, yet most remain undiagnosed. Sleep deprivation, a term used to describe the state you’re in when you do not obtain enough sleep to satisfy your body’s needs, is a common symptom of depression, anxiety, and a wide variety of physical ailments including diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. A sleep disorder is a term used for any condition which disrupts normal sleep-wake patterns. Such disorders may include, but are not limited to the following: Sleep Apnea Insomnia Restless Legs Syndrome Narcolepsy Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Nightmares and Night Terrors Sleep Wake Schedule 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. Patient Referrals: In the event that a patient is suspected to have a sleep disorder, evaluation by a sleep specialist is recommended Full sleep center evaluation involves consultation, education, diagnostic and follow-up services with the goal of promoting patient understanding of sleep disorders, risk factors, treatment options and effective long-term management. Your first visit to Sleep Medicine Specialists is a consultation appointment where you will be asked to complete a questionnaire, which will provide important sleep and medical history. Once this information is reviewed, a physician will determine if a sleep study is necessary. Sleep Medicine Specialists consists of fourteen private sleeping suites designed to provide our patients with convenience, comfort, and privacy. Open seven nights/days a week, we have the ability to accommodate the patients needs and busy schedule. Treatment options of sleep disorders may include CPAP, Bi-PAP, medications, surgical options, oral appliance therapy, sleep hygiene changes, etc. Obstructive Sleep Apnea* Serious and very common disorder; affects 4 in 100 middle-aged men and 2 in 100 middle-aged women Is the collapse of upper airway tissue that causes brief pauses of breathing during sleep Often associated with snoring, gasping or choking for breath during sleep Sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue during the day Untreated, increased risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and heart attack, stroke, fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents, decreased quality of life Diagnosis requires and overnight sleep study Sleep Apnea – Heart and Lung Diseases Recent studies have shown that sleep apnea may increase problems in patients who have congestive heart failure, nighttime chest pain or rhythm disturbances. Sleep apnea may also be a factor in patients with nighttime asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Such heart and lung conditions may improve with proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. Regular snoring in addition to one or more of the following could be an indication of sleep apnea: Snoring, interrupted by periods of silence or pauses in breathing Gasping or choking during sleep Restless sleep Excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue during the day Poor judgment Irritability Memory loss Depression Morning headaches Sexual dysfunction Frequent urination during the night Large neck – collar size>17 Obesity A diagnosis of sleep apnea can easily be confirmed by polysomnography Increases risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease (MI-heart failure) and cerebrovascular disease Snoring with a mild and/or positional sleep apnea may respond to LAUP/UPPP, Somnoplasty, dental orthotics and/or conservative measures Most common treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) offering continuous or bi-level pressure Improved PAP compliance in recent years with advances in nasal masks humidification, ramping pressure feature, reduced weight and lightweight portable equipment The AWAKE support group has locally been established to meet the needs of sleep apnea patients Insomnia The inability to fall asleep or stay asleep Contributing factors may include involuntary muscle movements, underlying medical disorders, environmental factors, or psychological problems such as stress of depression, poor sleep hygiene Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Caused by involuntary muscle contractions during sleep which may result in insufficient sleep Symptoms may include a crawling sensation or restless feeling in the legs prior to sleep onset Condition may occur in conjunction with other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy Narcolepsy Chronic neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness, despite adequate sleep during the night Symptoms may include “sleep attacks” throughout the day, vivid nightmares or hallucinations when falling asleep at the onset of sleep, muscle weakness during strong periods of emotion Can cause serious disruptions in a person’s social, personal, and professional lives and severely limit activities Although it is estimated that narcolepsy afflicts as many 200,000 Americans, fewer than 50,000 have been diagnosed Sleep-Wake Schedule Regular pattern of sleeping and waking is disrupted due to shift work, jet lag, or other factors Some cases of insomnia or daytime sleepiness may result from changes in the sleep-wake schedule