Detailed Sleep Study
Following an outpatient consultation and evaluation typically lasting an hour, patients are scheduled for diagnostic testing, as appropriate. This may consist of a nighttime or daytime sleep study known as polysomnographic testing, psychological testing or other medical tests. As a hospital-based Sleep Evaluation Center, patients have the added safety of a full-service Medical Center with around-the-clock readiness.
Trained staff use advanced monitoring equipment and computer software to record data while the patient sleeps. Patients are made comfortable and usually sleep well in the sleep lab. Tests are completed the next morning in time for normal daytime activities.
Cases are reviewed in detail by a team of Board-certified neurologists, pulmonologists, sleep researchers and sleep technicians. A recommended treatment plan is generated within 72-hours of test completion. If needed, additional physician specialists such as an otolaryngologist, cardiologist or maxillofacial surgeon may also be consulted.
Multiple Sleep Latency Testing: Certain sleep disorders require objective determination of a person’s level of daytime sleepiness through a series of brief daytime naps. This is called the “Multiple Sleep Latency Test”. It is always preceded by a nighttime sleep study.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure: For treatment of certain respiratory problems occurring during sleep, such as obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea, patients may require treatment with continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure, also referred to as “CPAP” and “Bilevel PAP.”
These noninvasive treatments prevent the upper airway from collapsing during sleep. This allows the lungs and lower respiratory muscles to function normally and to perform the work of breathing during sleep. CPAP and Bilevel PAP require a night of monitoring in the laboratory to determine the ideal air pressure to optimize breathing and restore normal sleep quality.
Psychological Assessment or Behavioral Therapy: Personality factors may influence the course of many sleep issues, particularly difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. A simple assessment and/or a polysonogram can provide additional information to help tailor treatment to individual needs.
Medication: Many sleep conditions require short or long-term treatment with daily medication. Our Sleep Center doctors are knowledgeable about traditional sleep medications as well as the newest available.
Surgery: Physical structures that may interfere with normal breathing during sleep can sometimes be corrected surgically. Common procedures include removal of enlarged tonsils and adenoids (especially in children), nasal polyps or other growths or tissues and correcting deviated nasal septums.
Additional surgical options include:
-
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) removes excess tissues at the back of the throat including tonsils, uvula and part of the soft palate.
-
Laser Assisted Uvuloplasty (LAUP) uses a laser device to remove tissue in the back of the throat. LAUP has not been shown to be effective in treating sleep apnea, but is used to reduce or eliminate snoring.
-
Tracheostomy is used in the most severe, life-threatening cases of sleep apnea. This procedure creates an external opening in the windpipe to enable air to flow directly into the lungs, bypassing any upper airway obstruction. This opening is plugged while the subject is awake, but is opened during sleep. Although highly effective, it is rarely used.
-
Maxilomandibular Advancement is a surgical correction for deformities of the lower jaw.
-
Surgical Treatment for Severe Obesity can be used for cases of severe sleep apnea in patients who are morbidly obese.
