Sleep studies are tests that record what happens to your body during sleep. The studies are done to find out what is causing sleep problems.
Common Sleep Disorders include insomnia, snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Sleep-Wake Schedule Disorders, Daytime Sleepiness, Sleepwalking, REM Sleep Behavior Disorders, Parasomnias.
Some people wake up many times each night, sometimes 400 times or more, without being aware of it. The effort involved, gasping for air and oxygen deprivation cause excessive and chronic fatigue, lack of energy and results in gain of weight and depression. With time it leads to high blood pressure and can result inheart attack,stroke and even death.50% of strokes occur during sleep and are fatal.
Poor sleep may cause headaches,snoring and difficulty with keeping awake during normal waking hours. Some, such as sleep apnea, are serious, potentially life threatening conditions that can lead to problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease stroke and even death.
The most common sleep disorder Sleep Apnea (obstructive or central), occurs when person stops breathing for 10 seconds or longer (often over a minute!) This maybe caused by blocked airflow during sleep (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). Or it may be caused by a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles to work (Central Sleep Apnea).
Sleep study will determine the cause and severity of the symptoms. Based on the results and diagnosis provided by sleep specialist physician, a second study, called titration, is ordered.
The treatment may involve devices to aid patient’s breathing while sleeping. Recent advances in technology provide patients with range of options ranging from C-PAP breathing machines to simple and highly effective oral appliances worn at night. The oral appliances are created and monitored by dentist with oral appliance training.
Results following the sleep study and the treatment usually bring results fast and change quality of patient’s life. The result may be stabilization of blood pressure, significant decrease in risk symptoms of heart disease, stroke, noticeable loss of weight and elimination of depression. Increase of energy and overall well being changes patient’s quality of life.
