The Sleep Center at North Vista Hospital offers a comprehensive patient care program for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients diagnosed with sleep disorders.

What many people don’t know is that sleep disorders can eventually result in much more serious conditions and health risks. Sleep disorders have been linked to the following:

• High blood pressure
• Respiratory failure
• Obesity
• Impotence
• Strokes
• Fatal heart attacks

Facts about sleep disorders:

• 35 million Americans have sleep disorders
• 50,000 premature and preventable deaths occur each year as a result of sleep disorders
• 200,000 sleep-related auto accidents occur each year
• 95% of individuals suffering with sleep disorders are undiagnosed

Common Sleep Disorders:

• Snoring
  Snoring is one of the most common problems associated with sleep disorders. Snoring can interrupt sleep patterns and even harm your health. Nightly snoring may lead to hypertension (high blood pressure). In mild cases, simple self-help measures may suffice. They may include: keeping your nose clear, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills, maintaining a side sleeping position, and/or losing weight. Heavy, habitual snorers may need a detailed evaluation of the nose and throat and a sleep study in order to plan effective treatment.
   
• Sleep Apnea
  Sleep apnea (a pause in breathing) is a common sleep disorder treated at North Vista Sleep Disorders Center. Sleep apnea is present when an obstruction of the airway during sleep is severe. This condition is characterized by the presence of heavy snoring, disturbed sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness or tiredness. A person with this disorder is usually unaware that breathing actually stops many times during the night. The pauses in breathing, or apneic episodes, are usually quite alarming to the bed partner. During the periods of apnea, blood oxygen levels fall, adversely affecting the heart and circulation. Sleep apnea can be a serious medical problem that demands accurate diagnosis and aggressive treatment. Heart attack and heart failure, high blood pressure or a stroke may result. The severity of this condition is quite variable but in some instances may be life threatening.
   
• Narcolepsy
  Narcolepsy is characterized by daytime sleep attacks, uncontrollable sleepiness and a persistent lack of energy. It is often accompanied by cataplexy, a sudden brief loss of voluntary muscle control, often triggered by strong emotions. While falling asleep, vivid hallucinations and sleep paralysis (inability to move while partially awake) may occur.
   
• Insomnia
  A common sleep problem, insomnia, is a symptom that requires accurate diagnosis. The causes of insomnia are numerous, ranging from psychological factors to sleep-related medical illnesses such as apnea and nocturnal myoclonus (leg jerking during sleep). Sleeping pills often are not the answer. Research shows that withdrawal from certain drugs may cause insomnia or increase severity of sleep difficulties. A full evaluation is needed if insomnia is persistent.

The Sleep Study
As a patient referred to the center, your first evaluation will include a full medical history and physical examination. Next, you’ll be scheduled for a sleep study. This involves staying overnight in a comfortable, private room, while multiple sensors continuously monitor your brain waves, eye movements, 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.

For additional information, please call (702) 818-8173.