The Sleep Disorders Center

Treatment is Available for Sleep Disorders

St. Mary's Sleep Disorders Center can evaluate you for sleep disorders using an advanced method of testing. During an overnight stay at the center, clinicians monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, breathing, muscle movmenet, brain waves and oxygen levels. Using this information, physicians can recommend a plan of treatment.

types of sleep disorders

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a health risk that many Americans endure. It is characacterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep, sometimes as many as 20 to 30 or more events per hour. Sleep apnea is usually accompanied by loud snoring, though not everyone who snores has sleep apnea. About 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to early morning headaches, drowsiness and impaired functioning during the day.

Narcolepsy
Those who suffer from this sleep disorder have daytime "sleep attacks," characterized by daytime sleepiness and a tendency to sleep at random even after getting regular nightly sleep.

Periodic Limb Movements
PLMs are repetitive limb movements during sleep that can disrupt not only their own sleep, but someone who is sharing the bed. Patients may not even be aware of their actions.