Patients with disorders of sleep and wakefulness require special attention. Our program offers patients convenience and comfort in a quiet, professional atmosphere.
Although we spend one-third of our lives asleep, most of us know little about the sleep process. As a result, we judge the quality of our sleep based on social perceptions involving five stages of physiologically different needs, cycles and sequences.
The maintenance of physical and psychological well-being is dependent on restful nighttime sleep.
A sleep evaluation begins with a detailed sleep and wakefulness history and a neurological examination. A patient may then be asked to monitor his or her sleep and nap schedules by keeping a diary. This may be followed by an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram) to observe and record nighttime sleep patterns. Daytime wakefulness may be evaluated with a multiple sleep latency test a reproducible, scientific measure of sleepiness. With this information, a definitive diagnosis may be reached and an appropriate treatment plan developed.
Our treatment philosophy integrates a multi-disciplinary, scientific approach to identifying sleep/wake disorders, employing patient education, behavioral modification, judicious use of pharmacotherapy, mechanical devices, pulmonary, otolaryngological and psychological consultation when needed.
In the Laboratory for Sleep Disorders, patients receive a comprehensive sleep evaluation with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, provided by a specially trained staff in a quiet atmosphere.
Sleep Problems
Numerous factors can disrupt the sleep/wake cycle, including:
Concurrent Medical And Psychiatric Disorders Nocturnal Headaches Seizure Disorders Esophageal Reflux Fibromyalgia Depression Anxiety Disorders Alcohol, Drug Dependency
Disorders
Adults, adolescents and the elderly with sleep/wake complaints may benefit from a sleep evaluation. Adolescents and the elderly are particularly neglected groups, with sleep problems frequently dismissed as normal for that age.
Symptoms of disorders include: daytime sleepiness loud snoring breathing disturbance during sleep restless legs sleep onset difficulties multiple nighttime awakenings early morning arousal unconventional timing of sleep dangerous or violent nocturnal behavior sleep walking or sleep talking nocturnal muscle aches and pains early morning headaches
Sleep disorders may also be related to depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, sexual dysfunction, and marital discord.
