Persistent changes in your normal sleep/wake cycle may indicate the presence of a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders have many different causes and many different symptoms. Some people have a hard time sleeping, while others sleep at inappropriate times. Some problems are temporary, but others are chronic.
Sleep disorder programs offered at hospitals can help diagnose sleep problems. Many sleep disorders can be treated once they are clinically evaluated.
Common Disorders
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
- Narcolepsy
- Restless leg syndrome
- Chronic insomnia
- Muscle twitching
Diagnosis and Treatment
At most sleep disorder centers, your first evaluation will include a medical history and physical examination. Next, you’ll be scheduled for a sleep study. Diagnosis of sleep disorders sometimes requires an overnight sleep study or polysomnogram. This kind of sleep evaluation includes EEG and EKG monitoring, and tests for eye movements, muscle tension, respiratory activity and blood-oxygen saturation.
Specially trained technologists monitor you throughout the night in comfortable surroundings designed to simulate your sleep environment at home.
This study may sometimes involve staying overnight in a comfortable, private room, while multiple sensors continuously monitor your brain waves, eye movement, air exchange, heartbeat, breathing effort, muscle activity, and oxygen levels. The information obtained from the sleep study may help lead to an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.