If you have trouble falling asleep, staying awake or sleeping through the night, you may be among the one-third of Americans estimated to have sleep disorders. If not treated, a sleep disorder can lead to chronic fatigue, disorientation and the inability to accomplish everyday tasks.
Sleep disorders are diagnosed with special studies that involve placing sensors on a person's body to measure heart and breathing rates, brain wave activity and body movement. At Baptist Hospital's Sleep Diagnostic Center, specialists in neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, urology and polysomnography (sleep studies) work together to diagnose and treat sleep disorders such as:
Sleep apnea syndrome
Patients with sleep apnea syndrome stop and start breathing several times while asleep. This may occur several hundred times a night, with each occurrence lasting several seconds, causing heavy snoring, morning headache, sore throat or daytime drowsiness. If not properly treated, sleep apnea syndrome may result in irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart failure, lung disease and impotence.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep. It may be caused by psychological factors, such as depression or stress, sleep apnea syndrome, muscle twitches during sleep, or physical pain. Environmental factors such as lifestyle and personal crisis may also result in insomnia.
Periodic leg movement syndrome
This condition involves leg muscle twitches that usually occur every 20 to 40 seconds during sleep. It leaves the patient feeling restless during the night or excessively tired and sleepy during the day, and can often lead to insomnia.
Narcolepsy
A person with narcolepsy falls asleep involuntarily at different times throughout the day. He or she may fall asleep while driving, eating or talking. A narcoleptic may lose muscle control during an emotional experience, such as crying or laughing. Narcolepsy can cause extreme frustration for the sufferer, and can lead to life-threatening situations.
For additional information, please call 786-596-5435.