Is the Sleep Center for you?
If you have chronic problems falling asleep, staying asleep at night, staying awake during the day, excessive snoring or breathing disturbances, the Sleep Diagnostics Center is for you. The Center is capable of monitoring adults as well as infants, children, and adolescents. For additional information on sleep disorders or to schedule a sleep study contact




What is a sleep study?
A sleep study requires one or more consecutive nights of sleeping in the laboratory. The Sleep Center consists of several private rooms designed spaciously with your comfort in mind. The Center is monitored by closed circuit televisions and microphones to assure that all sleep related activity is seen and recorded for complete evaluation. The sleep study is painless. A specially trained technologist will apply sensors to the head, face, chest, stomach, and legs. Modern equipment will monitor brainwaves, eye movements, breathing, blood oxygen levels, heart rate and muscle activity during sleep. These functions can be normal while the individual is awake, but abnormal during sleep. The referring physician will receive a complete sleep report, which begins with defining and diagnosing the problem and includes recommended treatment plans. Find out how you can participate in Sleep Research.




What is Sleep Apnea & Who Gets It?
Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that is far more common than generally understood. First described in 1965, sleep apnea is a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. There are two types of sleep apnea: central and obstructive. Central sleep apnea, which is less common, occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the breathing muscles to initiate respirations. Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common and occurs when air cannot flow into or out of the person's nose or mouth although efforts to breathe continue.

Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes but is more common in men (it may be under diagnosed in women) and possibly young African Americans. It has been estimated that as many as 18 million Americans have sleep apnea. Four percent of middle-aged men and 2 percent of middle-aged women have sleep apnea along with excessive daytime sleepiness. People most likely to have or develop sleep apnea include those who snore loudly and also are overweight, or have high blood pressure, or have some physical abnormality in the nose, throat, or other parts of the upper airway. Sleep apnea seems to run in some families, suggesting a possible genetic basis.




Restless Legs Syndrome?
For those with restless legs syndrome (RLS), the sensation of discomfort is so acute, it can only be relieved by moving or stimulating the legs. These tingling, crawling or prickling sensations are most pronounced during inactivity, particularly while trying to fall asleep. RLS sufferers find staying asleep is a problem as well. Rubbing the legs, getting up and walking around, or taking a hot shower usually offer only temporary relief. The sensations return with the return to bed. The discomfort and sleeplessness that accompany RLS can lead to serious psychological distress and depression.

Most people with RLS also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMS), characterized by a periodic jerking of the legs during sleep. The movements cause multiple sleep interruptions that are often so brief that the sleeper isn't aware of them, although the sleep partner may be. Unlike RLS, PLMS is not uncomfortable for the sufferer, but it can cause excessive daytime sleepiness.

RLS and PLMS are more common in people over 65. There aren't any cures for these related disorders, but a number of prescription medications are being used to treat them.




Insomnia?
It isn't unusual to have trouble sleeping - half of Americans do. Insomnia has many causes and is often viewed as a symptom of some underlying problem, much like a fever suggests infection.

Doctors have identified three basic categories:
Transient insomnia lasts only a few nights and is usually brought on by stress, excitement, or a change in sleep timing or environment.

Short-term insomnia is poor sleep spanning two or three weeks and can be caused by ongoing stress, as well as medical or psychiatric problems. Alleviating the source will usually return sleep to normal. Recurring episodes are common.

Chronic insomnia lasts more than a month and can be related to underlying medical, behavioral or psychiatric problems, such as depression.

Insomnia's impact on waking hours can be significant and includes a decreased sense of well-being, and impaired concentration and memory. Sleep specialists recommend practicing good sleep hygiene (see box) to minimize episodes.




Narcolepsy?
A chronic (long-lasting) neurological (affecting the brain or nerves) disorder that involves your body's central nervous system. The central nervous system is the "highway" of nerves that carries messages from your brain to other parts of your body. For people with narcolepsy, the messages about when to sleep and when to be awake sometimes hit roadblocks or detours and arrive in the wrong place at the wrong time. This is why someone who has narcolepsy, not managed by medications, may fall asleep while eating dinner or engaged in social activities - or at times when he or she wants to be awake.

Recent discoveries indicate that people with narcolepsy lack a chemical in the brain called hypocretin, which normally stimulates arousal and helps regulate sleep. They also discovered that there is a reduction in the number of Hcrt cells or neurons that secrete hypocretin. This may be due to a degenerative process or an immune response. How this occurs is unknown

About one in 2,000 people suffers from narcolepsy. It affects both men and women of any age, but its symptoms are usually noticed after puberty begins. For the majority of persons with narcolepsy, their first symptoms appear between the ages of 15 and 30.




What is measured while you sleep?

An EEG (electroencephalogram) measures the electrical activity across the brain. This involves attaching a series of small metal electrodes about half the size of a five cent piece to the head. Measurement of the brain waves indicates whether the subject is awake or asleep and, if asleep, the stage of sleep.
An EOG (electro-oculogram) records the movement of the eyes via an electrode attached near each eye. The recording of eye movement helps to distinguish Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep or dream sleep from other sleep which is called Non Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (NREM). This distinction is important because some people have increased sleep problems in REM sleep.
An EMG (electromyogram) measures muscle activity through the placement of leads on the chin and the calves. The movement of chin muscles is helpful in determining REM sleep, while recording increased leg movements is important for the diagnosis of periodic leg movement disorder.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) allows the monitoring of any irregularities of the heartbeat and rhythm during the night. This is measured by two electrodes placed on the upper chest near each of the arms.
Breathing, whether normal or involving apneas (the temporary cessation of breathing), is measured by small heat-sensitive devices called thermistors that are placed in front of the nose and mouth.
Breathing effort and possible interruptions are measured by loose elasticised velcro bands around the chest and abdomen.
Blood oxygen levels are measured by an oximeter. The oximeter probe is attached, much like a peg, to the finger or ear.
Body position is measured by a device placed on the chest which records whether lying on back, front or side.