Sleep. If we do it well, we don’t think much about it, but if we don’t get enough, its importance in our lives is unmistakable. We now know that sleep is not merely required for rest and repair, but is critical to our overall health as well. Obesity, heart disease, diabetes…all have been linked to chronic sleep loss.
At the Brookwood Sleep Disorders Center, we seek to discover why you may not be sleeping well. And we work to provide the treatment you need to give you relief. By participating in a sleep study, many of our patients’ lives have been changed overnight.
You may find it intimidating to think of sleeping while you are being monitored, but at the Brookwood Sleep Disorders Center, we give you comfortable surroundings that enable a good night’s sleep, while keeping the technology behind the scenes, working on your behalf.
Do I Need a Sleep Study?
Talk to your family doctor or a sleep disorders specialist if you are having sleep difficulties. If you experience any of the situations below, you may be a candidate for a sleep study.
• I have been told that I snore.
• I have been told that I hold my breath while I sleep.
• I have high blood pressure.
• I sweat excessively during the night.
• I get morning headaches.
• I suddenly wake up gasping for breath.
• I seem to be losing my sex drive.
• I often feel sleepy and struggle to remain alert.
• I have trouble concentrating at work or school.
• When I am angry or surprised, I feel like my muscles are going limp.
• I have fallen asleep while driving.
• I have fallen asleep in social settings such as movies or at a party.
• I have trouble at work because of sleepiness.
• When trying to go to sleep I experience an aching or crawling sensation in my legs.
• Sometimes I can’t keep my legs still at night; I have to move them to feel comfortable.
• Even though I sleep during the night, I feel sleepy during the day.
What Can I Expect When I Come to the Brookwood Sleep Disorders Center for a Study?
A professional from the Sleep Disorders Center will contact you prior to the sleep study and give you more extensive details about what to expect for your particular study. We’ll answer all your questions and prepare you before you arrive.
Patients generally arrive about 8:00 p.m. You may bring your own pillow or blanket or other items that will make the environment seem like home (Sorry, but no pets or spouses). You can read, watch TV and do many of the other routines you are used to before going to sleep. Each room has a private bath.
During the night you will be videotaped and monitored in a variety of ways, including heartbeat, brain waves, muscle movements and respirations.
At approximately 5:00 a.m. the study will be completed. We’ll provide breakfast, and you’re free to go to work or school, or spend the day as you normally would.
What Sleep Disorders Do You Treat?
There are many kinds of sleep disorders; one of the most common, however, is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA. For the average person, OSA refers to the cessation of breathing (apnea) when asleep due to blockage of the airway by the tongue and soft tissues of the throat. When you develop apnea, your body is not getting the rest or oxygen it needs.
During your sleep study, our specially trained sleep technologists will determine whether you have OSA. If you do, you may be placed on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP will create a “pressure splint” in the airway, eliminating the apnea and promoting more restful sleep. New technology has produced machines and masks that are far more comfortable than in previous years.
Other conditions that may be diagnosed by a sleep study include Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD), characterized by frequent leg jerks at night, and less common disorders such as narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia, both associated with profound daytime sleepiness.
What Else Do I Need to Know About Brookwood’s Sleep Disorders Center?
We also conduct daytime sleep studies to accommodate the schedules of night shift workers and those in occupations where alertness is critical, such as airline pilots and truck drivers.
The Brookwood Sleep Disorders Center meets all accreditation requirements from the Joint Commission for hospitals, as well as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Our highly advanced equipment allows us to use the latest technology as we seek to find your answer to a good night’s sleep.
To locate a physician specializing in sleep disorders, search our Find a Physician or call our Physician Referral line at 205-877-8800.