What is a Sleep Study?
A sleep study, also known as a Polysomnography, is a non-invasive and painless overnight test. It measures your brain waves, eye movements, and muscle tones to show wake and sleep patterns. Also, sleep studies record physiological data including: airflow and respiratory breathing, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, body position, leg movements, etc.
Our state-of-the-art facility offers the latest innovation in diagnosing and provding treatment in a comfortable and contemporary setting.
On the night of the study patients arrive at the scheduled center at their appointment time. Once greeted by the Technologist, electrodes and wires are attatched to the patient, this procedure takes about an hour. While the sleep study is being conducted, patients are allowed to use the restroom in between if necessary. As this is a non-invasive procedure, the patient is able to return to his/her normal routine the next morning.
Sleep-related issues indicating you may have an underlying disorder include
If you have two or more of these syptoms/signs you may need to seek medical attention.
Snoring
Sleep Apnea
Apnea comes from the Greek word "Apnos"-with out breathing.
It is characterized by heavy snoring, irregular breathing and sometimes by complete cessation of breathing for a minute or more. Someone with sleep apnea may awaken many times throughout the night, and usually wake up gasping for air resulting in disrupted sleep.
There are three types of apneas:
Sleep Apnea is a serious problem that can contribute to
Narcolepsy
Someone with narcolepsy will frequently fall asleep suddenly. This may happen at inappropriate times such as in meetings, while you're driving, or during lunchess.
Narcolepsy causes muscular weakness, lucid and non-lucid nightmares, and sleep paralysis.
Insomnia
Are you a night owl, up all night and asleep all day, or do you experience sleeplessness? You likely have insomnia.
People struggling with insomnia experience difficulty falling or staying asleep, or may wake up earlier than desired.
Causes include chronic depression and stress.
Sometimes the following underlying physical problems may indicate insomnia and possibly depression as well.
Periodic Leg Movement Syndrome (PLMS)
PLMS is characterized by an achy, crawling sensation in the legs. Patients with PLMS cannot keep their legs still at night. Periodically during sleep, they kick vigorously (possibly toward their bed partner) or have jerking leg movements.
Other Sleep Disorders
Sleep talking and sleep walking, nightmares and night terrors, headaches, bedwetting, nocturnal seizures, gastroesophageal reflux, and sexual dysfunctions may be symptoms of underlying sleep disorders.
Treatments
Common Treatments:
Less common treatments include body position modification, surgery and oral appliances, and consultation, which are provided by physicians who are board certified in Pulmonary, neurology, ENT, Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine.
Sleepy Drivers
If you feels drowsy behind the wheels PLEASE PULL OVER to a safe area and take a short nap (this will prevent you from harming yourself or others). Although many traffic accidents are caused by Careless drivers, DUI, and texting, feeling sleepy while driving is a major casue of accidents as well. Recent Transporation Data reveals there are many Americans driving while sleepy and the number of road reckages are increasing due to sleepy drivers.
If this is a common occurence you may have an underlying sleep disorder and need to seek diagnosis/treatment.