SLEEP STUDIES

A good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be a dream.

Everyone dreams when they sleep, but many people simply dream of a good night’s sleep.  According to the National Sleep Foundation, approximately 70 million people in the United States are affected by a sleep problem.  About 40 million Americans suffer from a chronic sleep disorders, and an additional 20-30 million are affected by occasional sleep-related problems. However, an overwhelming majority of sleep disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated.  These disorders and the resulting sleep deprivation can interfere with work, driving, social activities and other aspects of life.

What’s Stopping You from Having a Good Night’s Sleep?

Waking up during the night, the inability to fall asleep, feeling sleepy at work or during classes, and moodiness or irritability can all be signs of a sleep disorder.  There are over 70 sleep disorders; most can be treated effectively so you can finally get that good night’s sleep you need.

Common sleep disorders include:

Insomnia – not being able to fall asleep or stay asleep

Irregular Sleeping Patterns – difficulty in finding an appropriate sleep/wake schedule

Narcolepsy – a medical disorder characterized by sleepiness during the day; muscle weakness as a result of anger, surprise, or amusement; and terrifying dreams or hallucinations at the onset of sleep

Sleep Apnea - temporary cessation of breathing, on and off all night; often accompanied by daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, irritability, and heavy snoring

Sleep problems also include a variety of more common disorders such as recurring nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep-talking, bedwetting, and teeth grinding

How Can the Schuyler Hospital Sleep Lab Help You?

Schuyler Hospital’s Sleep Lab provides evaluation, diagnostic testing and treatment for sleep disorders.  Patients come to the lab to sleep in a private, home-like room that is monitored by a specially trained sleep technician.  Using electrodes and sensors placed on the skin and connected to computerized technology located in another room, we monitor brain activity, eye movements, heart rhythm, breathing effort, and oxygen level in the blood.

Since many sleep disorders involve respiratory problems, the Sleep Lab is under the medical direction of a specialist; a board-certified Pulmonologist.  This Pulmonologist will read the results of the sleep test and interpret the results.  The physician will then provide a recommendation for treatment or follow-up.

Some sleep disorders require medicine.  Others require a simple change in daily habits or work schedules.  In all cases, our sleep specialists will continue working with the patient towards resolving the problem.