Sleep Studies

Sleep studies are performed on those experiencing difficulties with sleeping. Recurring sleep problems usually mean that other aspects of life may be suffering as well. Physical health, work performance, social interaction and even sexual behavior are all directly influenced by the amount and quality of sleep. The longer people wait to have a sleep study, the more chronic conditions they experience as a result of having undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorder, such as:

Diabetes
Stroke
High blood pressure
Depression
Irritability
Extreme daytime drowsiness
Heart arrhythmia
Acid reflux
Enlarged heart
Congestive heart failure
Memory difficulties
Sexual dysfunction

Sleep disorders can be easily identified through sleep studies at Lakes Regional Healthcare, such as:

Sleep apnea
Narcolepsy
Restless leg syndrome
Insomnia
REM sleep behavior disorder

During the Sleep Study

Testing is performed at night in the privacy of your own home through our Outpatient Center. If needed, you may need to have a follow-up sleep study in a private sleep room in our Surgery Department. Regardless of the location of your sleep study, a Certified Sleep Technician hooks you up to sensors and once you are asleep, they evaluate the quality of your sleep throughout the night. They specifically monitor breathing, heart rate, brain activity, muscle activity and oxygen levels while you sleep.

Oftentimes patients are found to have sleep apnea, but occasionally other conditions are present. Regardless of what is found, the results are sent to your family physician for a customized treatment plan.”

After the Sleep Study

If a sleep disorder is identified early in the testing period, a treatment trial period may be administered. Computerized data is analyzed and interpreted by a licensed pulmonologist. Results are then sent to your physician.

For more information about sleep studies at Lakes Regional Healthcare, talk to your physician.