Sleep Disorders

Good sleep – both quantity and quality – are now recognized as pillars of overall good health.  This is not too surprising since we spend about a third of our life in this state of existence.  Health consequences of chronic sleep loss and sleep disorders include risks for obesity, diabetes, depression, headaches, fibromyalgia, heart disease, strokes and memory decline.  The common features of sleep disorders include excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty with getting to sleep and staying asleep, and abnormal events during sleep such as snoring, twitching and other movements.  It is estimated that approximately 20% of the American population has a form of sleep or wakefulness disorder.  This not only has an impact on individual health, but also on family, work and social structures.

Obstructive sleep apnea gets a lot of press – and rightly so.  Untreated obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially deadly condition that is easily diagnosed and treated.  The public health risk of drowsy driving from sleep apnea and other disorders continues to grow with the 24/7 world we live in.  Sleep apnea, however, is only one of many sleep disorders.  There are approximately 90 sleep disorders described.  These include narcolepsy, central sleep apnea (very different from obstructive apnea), insomnia, restless legs, sleep walking, REM behavior disorder (acting out dreams such as punching, kicking or screaming during sleep) just to name a few.  There are 2 questions to ask yourself if you think you may have sleep disorder:  1.  Do I feel that sleep is refreshing for me?; 2.  Does my sleeping partner believe there is problem with my sleep?  The last question is because many disorders can have little symptoms.

Our sleep testing clinic and laboratory is a combined partnership with Thedacare.  We are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and are one of the few labs in Wisconsin that can claim this prestigious mark.  Not everyone needs a sleep study, but if you do we can decide on lab testing or home testing if appropriate.  Preauthorization is done before any testing occurs.  We have a great working relationship with home care companies on sleep equipment if needed.  We want you to have the best experience not only during your sleep evaluation and treatment, but also the best sleep quality going forward.  So ask yourself those two questions.  You deserve to sleep well.