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A sleep disorder (somnipathy) is a medical disorder of the sleep patterns of a person.  Some sleep disorders may be serious enough to interfere with normal physical, mental, social, and emotional well being.     According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine more than 70 million people in the U.S. experience sleep disorders every year.  Many with a sleep disorder may be completely unaware of their condition or choose to never seek the help they need.

A sleep disorder can affect your overall health, safety, and quality of life.  Below are a few of the symptoms  of a sleep disorder:

• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Having trouble falling asleep at night
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times, such as while driving
• Irregular breathing while asleep
• Increased movement during sleep

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when your airway partially or completely closes off during sleep. These episodes may even be occurring repeatedly throughout the night, disrupting the quality of sleep. This can cause daytime sleepiness and lead to other significant health problems. 

One of the best tools for detecting a sleep disorder is the overnight sleep study. Sensors are used to monitor how your body acts while you sleep. Charts are made of several physical measurements, including your brain waves, heartbeat, and breathing. Your sleep study provides our doctors with the data necessary to diagnose your sleep problem.    Once the source of a problem is found, it can then be treated. One of the treatments listed below just might be the solution to your sleep problem. There is hope for you, even if you can't remember the last time you had a good night of sleep.  

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
  This is the most common and effective way to treat obstructive sleep apnea. A steady stream of air blows through a mask and into the back of the throat to keep the airway open.
• Oral appliances
  Similar to sports mouth guards, these devices protect your teeth and open the airway as you sleep. They are used to treat bruxism, obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
• Bright light therapy
  This is used to help treat disorders that result from a problem with the internal clock in your body. Two of these disorders are jet lag and advanced sleep phase.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  These methods teach you how to change actions or thoughts that hurt your ability to sleep well. They will help you develop habits that promote a healthy pattern of sleep.
• Medications
  A number of drugs have been developed to help treat some sleep disorders. Always get help from a doctor before using any of these drugs.
• Melatonin
  As a nutritional supplement, melatonin is most effective in the treatment of certain circadian rhythm sleep disorders. These include jet lag, shift work and delayed sleep phase.
• Surgery
  A number of surgical options are available to help people who suffer from severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea.

Note that we only provide sleep diagnostic and treatment services and no other type of medical service. If any further consultation or service is required, you may need to seek that service independently.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

• In order to measure the various characteristics of your sleep, small metal button sensors will be applied, by wax and/or tape, to your scalp to locations approximately one-half inch away from my eyes, and also under your chin, for the purpose of measuring your brain waves and the quality of your sleep. No electric currents or shocks will be given to you through these “electrodes”.
• In addition, a small sensor will be taped to your chest, just below the right and left clavicle, as well as one on the rib cage to measure your heart beat.
• Elastic stretch bands will be placed around your chest, and around your abdomen to measure your breathing effort during sleep.
• An oxygen sensor will be taped to your finger or toe to measure your blood oxygen levels during sleep. These oxygen sensors will not penetrate your skin because needles are not used.
• A small wire will be placed on your face under your nose to measure the air flow which passes through your nose and mouth during your breathing and sleep.
• Small electrodes will be taped to your legs and /or arms to measure the respective muscle movements during sleep.
• A small sensor will be taped to your neck to monitor your levels of snoring.
• The entire sleep study will be monitored by a trained polysomnography Technician/Technologist via infrared audio-visual CCTV (closed circuit television) and recorded for physician review.

TREATMENT PROCEDURES

• If, as a result of the diagnostic procedures, your physician had pre-determined that nasal Continuous Positive Pressure (CPAP), Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-Level PAP) or oxygen therapy should be administered to treat your breathing during sleep, you will be asked to try the treatment for a period of time. 
• As part of the diagnostic and safety monitoring involved in your sleep study, there will be continuous audio-video recording of your sleep.  This recording may be reviewed by the Sleep Clinic physician's and Technicians/Technologists to help in the diagnosis.

Good “hygiene” is anything that helps you to have a healthy life. Sleep hygiene helps you stay healthy by keeping your mind and body rested and strong. Here are some tips for how you can improve your sleep hygiene:

1. Don’t go to bed unless you are sleepy - If you are not sleepy at bedtime, then do something else. Read a book, listen to soft music or browse through a magazine. 
2. If you are not asleep after 20 minutes, then get out of the bed - Find something else to do that will make you feel relaxed. 
3. Begin rituals that help you relax each night before bed - This can include such things as a warm bath, light snack or a few minutes of reading.
4. Get up at the same time every morning - Do this even on weekends and holidays.
5. Get a full night’s sleep on a regular basis - Get enough sleep so that you feel well-rested nearly every day.
6. Avoid taking naps if you can - If you must take a nap, try to keep it  a  short one.
7. Keep a regular schedule - Regular times for meals, medications, chores, and other activities help keep the inner body clock running smoothly.
8. Don’t read, write, eat, watch TV, talk on the phone, or play cards in bed.
9. Don't have any caffeine after lunch.
10. Don't consume alcohol or nicotine before bedtime.
11. Don't go bed hungry, but don’t eat a big meal near bedtime either.
12. Avoid any strenuous exercise prior to bedtime.
13. Avoid sleeping pills, or use them cautiously.
14. Try to get rid of or deal with things that make you worry.
15. Make your bedroom quiet, dark, and a little bit cool.