Sleep Lab

Sleep is vital to a person's health and well-being. Yet millions of people suffer needlessly from sleep disorders. Today, advances in medicine have made it easier to diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

	Who may benefit from the Deaconess Medical Center Sleep Lab? Individuals who may benefit are those who have chronic problems falling asleep, staying asleep at night or staying awake during the day, as well as those who suffer from excessive snoring or breathing disturbances. The Sleep Lab is capable of monitoring adults, adolescents and children. Do you experience any of these sleep disorder symptoms? Interrupted breathing while asleep (observed by sleeping partner) excessive daytime sleepiness chronic fatigue falling asleep when inactive and at inappropriate times headache or confusion when awakening rhythmic limb or body movements when asleep anxiety nighttime leg cramps onset of hypertension and other cardiac problems difficulty in falling asleep continual awakening during night fatigue or non-refreshing sleep sleep terrors or nightmares irregular heartbeat during the night excessive perspiration during the night teeth grinding while asleep problems with adjusting to shift work Sleep disorders have a far greater impact than just making you feel tired during the day. You may experience impaired concentration; loss of memory and coping skills; resentment from loved ones who are kept awake by your snoring and other sleep-related problems. There are more than 70 different sleep disorders that are generally classified into one of three categories: lack of sleep, or insomnia disturbed sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea too much sleep, as with narcolepsy Most sleep disorders can be easily managed once they are properly diagnosed.

Successful Outcomes

	Deaconess Medical Center’s Sleep Lab can help your physician identify your condition and begin a proper course of treatment. Under the medical direction of a physician board certified in sleep medicine, the Sleep Lab offers a complete, state-of-the-art diagnostic testing for sleep apnea, narcolepsy, night terrors, insomnia, sleep-related movement disorders, circadian rhythm disturbances, and many other sleep disorders.

Home Away From Home

	Deaconess opened its full service four-bed Sleep Lab in 2001. Our private sleeping rooms are designed to be a "home away from home". The decor for the rooms is a blend of soft colors. Each room has a full size bed, private bathroom and cable television service. Sleep disorder patient will check in about 7:30 p.m. and will be escorted to the Sleep Lab. Patients are given time on their own to become acclimated to the room. They can watch television, read, or work on their laptop computer before going to sleep. Next, professionals trained in sleep disorders will apply electrodes (painless, topically applied devices that are attached to the head and chest) to monitor the patient's sleep for the next eight hours. The next day, patient will be served breakfast if they so desire. During the overnight stay, sleep disorders staff monitor the patient's eye movements, brain waves, respiration, limb movements, and whether or not they stop breathing. The program is designed to accommodate the needs for an executive stay in the hospital. It provides one-on-one service and excellent follow-up care. There are several treatment options available, depending on the severity of the patients' specific problems and their individual preferences. Some patients may require surgery. One alternative is nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), an appliance that is placed over the nose and worn at night. Most people respond well to the nasal CPAP and notice results immediately. For more information about the Deaconess Sleep Lab, call (509) 473-7750.

Common Sleep Disorders

	Sleep disturbances are often associated with neurological disorders, heart and lung diseases, mental illness and addictions. The magnitude and prevalence of many sleep disorders are difficult to assess. Even a partial list adds up to 70 conditions. Sleep disturbances associated with such diseases as neurological disorders, heart and lung diseases, mental illness, and cessation of breathing during sleep is a major cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. It is the second most common sleep disorder after insomnia, and effects about 20 million Americans. Sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, heart attack, pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, neurological problems, psychiatric problems, mental impairment, diabetes mellitus and injury from accidents.

	Obstructive Sleep Apnea

	Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most serious sleep disorder, is periodic obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. Periods of apnea can last up to 90 seconds and may occur several hundred times per night. OSA is the most common medical cause of excessive daytime sleepiness and is more common in men. Symptoms include: Loud, habitual snoring Choking/gasping/snorting during sleep Pauses in breathing during sleep Frequent awakenings Nocturnal angina/arrhythmias Non-refreshing sleep/inability to wake up Morning headaches Daytime sleepiness and fatigue; frequent napping Memory and concentration problems Obesity or hypertension Upper airway abnormalities Sexual problems; impotence Mood disorders; irritability; personality changes Heartburn and reflux Nocturia or nocturnal enuresis Diabetes mellitus Diagnosis for Obstructive Sleep Apnea should be made by pertinent history, physical examination, and polysomnography. Most people benefit from appropriate evaluation, treatment and follow-up.

	Chronic Insomnia

	Chronic Insomnia affects approximately 9 percent of the population. It can last for weeks, months or even years and may be related to the following: Primary sleep disorders Worry, anxiety or stress Psychiatric disorders Substance abuse Medical problems Behavioral/conditional factors Those with chronic insomnia may experience reduced productivity and accidents as a result of fatigue. Because insomnia is a symptom, the physician must search for the cause. Many insomnia sufferers sleep better after appropriate evaluation and treatment.

	Parasomnia

	Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive, sleep-related events or disorders of arousal. These arousal disorders include: Sleepwalking Sleep terrors (pavor nocturnes) Nightmares Partial seizures; violent behavior during sleep REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams) Severe cases may lead to injury, violence, excessive eating or disturbance of others in the bed or house. In most cases, parasomnia can be effectively diagnosed and treated.

	Narcolepsy

	Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the region of the central nervous system that regulates sleep and wakefulness. Symptoms of narcolepsy generally appear in the second decade of life. It is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:* Sudden, uncontrollable episodes of sleep at inappropriate times, such as while having dinner, talking, driving or working Sudden episodes of loss of muscle tone, ranging from slight weakness (such as limpness at the neck or knees, sagging facial muscles, or inability to speak clearly) to complete body collapse (This can be precipitated by intense emotion, such as laughter or anger.) Inability to talk or move when falling asleep or waking up Vivid, often unpleasant, dream-like experiences that occur while dozing or falling asleep Disrupted nighttime sleep with frequent awakenings Performance of routine tasks without memory of the action Learning and memory difficulties * Not all individuals with narcolepsy experience every sign or symptom.

	Periodic Limb Movements

	Periodic Limb Movements (PLM) are characterized by rhythmic jerking of the feet or legs. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is described as a creeping, crawling sensation that creates an urge to move the legs. Its prevalence rate is two-to-five percent. Patients with PLM or RLS often complain of the following symptoms: Creepy or jumpy legs Unpleasant sensation during sleep Insomnia/non-refreshing sleep Excessive daytime sleepiness Increased activity Restless sleep Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movements is highly effective for 90 percent of patients seeking help.