Feel Like You Never Sleep?
If you aren't getting enough sleep, you are suffering -- physically and mentally. There are various reasons for sleep problems. Overnight sleep studies or polysomnograms measure brain waves, heartbeat, eye movements, muscle tension, leg movements, breathing effort movements and blood oxygen levels. Test results help doctors determine the best treatment for you.
Mariners Hospital Sleep Diagnostics can help physicians diagnose and treat a variety of sleep problems:
Sleep apnea syndrome
Patients with sleep apnea syndrome stop and start breathing 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 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.
Additional information: 305-434-1635