Services

Sleep Studies

A sleep study, known as polysomnography, is required to establish the presence of any sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, leg movements, etc.

During a full sleep study the patient’s brain wave activity is monitored to determine the various sleep stages. Other things measured include eye activity, heart rate, airflow from the mouth and nose, chest and abdomen movement, oxygen levels in the blood, body position, and muscle movements. This is all accomplished pain-free, with the use of patches and belts.

Sleep Apnea:
Apnea is from the Greek work meaning, “lack of air.” It is estimated that 9% of all males and 4% of all females have some form of sleep disorder. One of the most common sleep disorders, and potentially life threatening, is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is defined as the cessation of breathing for at least 10 seconds during sleep. This leads to a drop in oxygen in the blood, and an interruption in sleep patterns. Patients generally awaken and still feel tired no matter how much time they have spent in bed. This is known as Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, (EDS).

Symptoms of Sleep Apnea:

Excessive daytime sleepiness. Generally a “tired feeling” all the time or at inappropriate times.
Morning headaches
Loud snoring with periods of silence of “gasps”
Dozing while driving
Memory and/or judgement problems
Irritability
Personality changes

Sleep Apnea Questionnaire: Do you…

Know that you snore or are told that snore?
Often get sleepy in the daytime?
Feel drowsy when driving?
Wake up with morning headaches?
Have frequent memory or judgement problems during the day?
Experience frequent irritability during the day?
Notice or are told you have a personality change?
Wake up and/or make frequent trips to the bathroom during the night?
Weigh 20% or more than your ideal body weight?
Have a neck size 17 inches or greater (male) or 16 inches or greater (female)?
Have high blood pressure?
Have a decrease in sexual drive?

If you answer yes to any of the above questions, especially snoring (#1) with excessive sleepiness (#2) or drowsy when driving (#3), you may be experiencing the symptoms of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder problem. Please talk with your physician.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea Include:

Obesity: 20% or greater of ideal body weight
Large neck firth: 17 inches or greater in males, and 16 inches or greater in females
Male gender
Anatomic Abnormalities, such as large tonsils, adenoids, etc.
Family history
Alcohol or sedative use
Lung disease
Age: greater than 65

MOST SLEEP PROBLEMS ARE EASILY DIAGNOSED AND TREATED. THE TESTING PROCESS USUALLY CAN BE COMPLETED IN ONE NIGHT WITH THE ABILITY TO GO TO WORK AFTER THE STUDY.

Marc Schlichting, Dave Wheatcraft, Monica Christensen