Sleep Apnea means “cessation of breath” and is characterized by repeat episodes of breathing distress during sleep – pauses in the normal breathing pattern characterized by either short, shallow breaths or pauses in breathing. Sleep apnea can be caused by obstruction in the nasal, throat or jaw areas.

Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes a person to have difficulty stayign awake — even when they are getting enough sleep at night. Narcolepsy can cause a person to suddenly fall asleep, without warning, multiple times during the day.

Chronic insomnia is poor quality or not enough sleep. Individuals with this disorder experience restless sleep and always feel tired, or have difficulty falling and staying asleep on a regular basis.

Restless Leg Syndrome is a disorder characterized by sensations in the legs such as tingling, creeping or burning and the uncontrollable urge to move the legs for relief. Symptoms generally occur when the individual is at rest, and can range from mild discomfort to severe pain.

MWT – Daytime sleep study to see how awake you are

PSG – Overnight sleep study to check breathing, movements, stages of sleep, EKG

CPAP Titration – To evaluate pressure setting and mask fit for patients with obstructive sleep apnea

MSLT – A daytime sleep study to see how quickly you fall asleep

Sleep apnea is a very common – affecting more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health, and a vast majority of these individuals remain untreated. Sleep apnea is more common in those who are overweight, and the likelihood of developing the disorder increases with age.

People with sleep apnea can stop breathing from a few to several hundred times during the night, for a matter of seconds or more than one minute at a time. When this happens, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease and carbon dioxide increases – putting additional strain on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system. Sleep apnea not only compromises your health but can also make other illnesses more severe difficult to threat.

Sleep deprivation can affect every area of your life: mental concentration, physical fitness, personal relationships, work performance and safety. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious health risks including high blood pressure, obesity, heart problems and increased chance of stroke.

Sleep apnea can be cured through lifestyle changes, surgery or breathing devices. Treatment can provide not only better quality sleep, but also increased energy levels, better overall health and quality of life.