According to the Centers for Disease Control and prevention, a third of U.S. adults report that they usually get less than the recommended amount of sleep. Inadequate sleep is linked to many chronic diseases and conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Getting enough sleep is not a luxury — it's essential to maintaining good health.
Indications of a sleep disorder
If you can answer “yes” to any of the following, then you may have a sleep disorder:
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Do you snore loudly?
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Have you fallen asleep while driving?
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Do you experience unpleasant leg sensations that prevent sleep?
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Are you always tired?
Sleep disorders should be taken seriously as they can create serious health and social problems and affect quality of life. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome (RLS), or sleep apnea, it is important to be evaluated by a healthcare provider or, if recommended, a provider specializing in sleep medicine.
There are many ways to help diagnose sleep disorders. Today doctors can treat most sleep disorders effectively once they’re correctly diagnosed. The St. Thomas More Sleep Disorder Center evaluates and diagnoses people with serious and ongoing sleep problems, providing the highest quality care and individualized treatments.
The team includes experienced, professional board-certified sleep medicine specialists, registered sleep technologists, and registered respiratory therapists. Services include diagnostic sleep studies for diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, home sleep studies, and helpful pre- and post-study education information.
Sleep study: what to expect
When you arrive at the St. Thomas More Sleep Disorder Center, a dedicated technologist will show you to a private bedroom where you can change into your sleeping attire to prepare for your session.
Several small sensors, which monitor brain waves (EEG), respiratory effort, oxygen levels, muscle tone, leg movements, snoring, heart rate, (EKG) and eye movements, will be placed on your scalp, face, chest, abdomen and legs. In the morning, you will be awakened around 6 a.m.
After your study is complete, a sleep specialist will evaluate your study and staff will send a report to your referring physician. You will need to make an appointment with your referring physician to get your results. Your physician will determine if you need additional treatment.
If you suffer from sleep issues, talk to your primary care physician to see if you are a candidate for a sleep study. For sleep study questions, please call 719-285-2260. To schedule your sleep study, please call 719-285-2255.
