Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep plagues one in three American adults. If you suffer from insomnia, it disturbs your waking hours as well as your sleeping hours, since you’re likely to feel sleepy during the day and have trouble concentrating on tasks after a poor night’s sleep. In this case, insomnia treatment may be an option.

Narcolepsy can be defined as episodes of excessive drowsiness during the day with a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times. Highly stressful situations sometimes bring on the sleep episodes of narcolepsy and are not completely relieved by an amount of sleep. If you are experiencing these episodes, narcolepsy treatment may be an option. Like insomnia treatment, narcolepsy can be treated by maintaining good sleeping habits.

Although narcolepsy is a fairly uncommon condition, its impact on a person’s life can be serious and if not recognized and appropriately managed, disabling. A cure for narcolepsy has not yet been found, but most people with this disorder can lead nearly normal lives if the condition is properly treated.

Loud snoring can be a sign that something is seriously wrong with your breathing during sleep. Snoring indicates that the airway is not fully open, and the distinctive sound of snoring comes from efforts to force air through the narrowed passageway. Sleep can become a time of increased health risk.

An estimated 10-30 percent of adults snore. For the majority of them, snoring has no serious medical consequences. For 5 percent — particularly overweight and middle-aged men — extremely loud nightly snoring is an indication of a potentially life-threatening disorder called Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSA).

A disorder that affects the limbs and affects a person’s ability to sleep at night and function normally during the day is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). While the leg movements of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) are a voluntary response to ease the uncomfortable feelings in the limbs when a person is awake, the movements of PLMD occur most often when a person is asleep and are involuntary. People with PLMD are often not aware of these movements, although they may occasionally notice the involuntary movements of PLMD while they are awake. Bed partners can notice the leg movements, often by a slight jerking of the mattress or bed. Most people with RLS have PLMD, but patients with PLMD often do not have RLS.

The paralysis that normally occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is incomplete or absent in patients with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD), allowing the person to “act out” his or her dreams and make abnormal vocal sounds while sleeping. RBD is characterized by the acting out of dreams that are vivid, intense, and violent. Dream-enacting behaviors include sleep talking, yelling, punching, kicking, sitting, jumping from bed, arm flailing, and grabbing.

During sleep, the patient appears to act out the content of whatever she or he is dreaming. Normally, the body loses muscle tone during dream (REM) sleep, preventing most of us from physically reacting to our dreams. For reasons that are not yet understood, some patients do not lose muscle power during dream sleep, and thus begin to move about as their dream content dictates. The danger to the patient and bed partner is that these movements can cause injury.

Circadian rhythm refers to the body’s internal clock, which regulates the natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness over a 24-hour period. When this rhythm is disrupted, it can lead to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested at the right times of day. People with circadian rhythm disorders may find themselves wide awake late into the night, waking too early, or struggling with excessive sleepiness during the day.

Potential causes include irregular sleep schedules, frequent travel across time zones, shift work, or underlying medical and mental health conditions that interfere with the body’s natural timing. In some cases, the brain’s internal clock does not align with external cues like light and darkness, leading to ongoing challenges with sleep.

Diagnosis typically involves a thorough evaluation of sleep history, daily routines, and symptom patterns. Keeping a sleep diary or undergoing sleep testing may help identify whether disrupted circadian rhythms are contributing to sleep problems.

Snoring is relatively common, particularly in men who are middle-aged or older, but it can occur at all ages and in both sexes. Snoring implies that the upper airway is narrowed, and that the soft tissues are vibrating, making the sound. The treatment of snoring is determined by identifying the cause.

The major concern is whether this snoring is indicative of breathing problems during sleep, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, in which the airway collapses during sleep, blocking air from reaching the lungs. This might be noted as pauses in the snoring sound, sometimes associated with choking episodes during sleep. These individuals are often very sleepy during the day because of the poor quality of sleep.

Factors which can contribute to snoring include nasal and/or sinus congestion, use of sedative medications or alcohol near bedtime, and being overweight. Changing these factors can improve snoring in many people, but are sometimes not sufficient to bring satisfactory results. Severe snoring can sometimes benefit from upper airway surgery.

Sleep apnea can have serious effects on cardiac function. warning sound. If you or your bed partner notice any of the above findings, ask your physician about evaluating this at the Voltmer Sleep Center. Effective treatments are available.

First of all, sleeping six (6) hours is not enough for most people. To answer this question of sleep quantity, you should try going to bed 1-2 hours earlier for at least four nights in a row to pay back any “sleep debt” that you may have accumulated. Sleep problems such as sleep apnea and periodic leg movements can result in un-refreshing sleep.

It is normal to awaken several times at night. Many people simply roll over in bed or make a quick trip to the bathroom, and can return to sleep easily. When stresses are occurring in one’s life, thoughts may enter your mind that make it difficult to return to sleep. Addressing those stresses during the day can result in a better quality of sleep.

Alternatively, learning techniques to keep your mind free of those stresses when you awaken at night can also be of help. It is also important to avoid caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants before bedtime.

It is often hard to relax at the end of a busy day. This might be helped by performing relaxation activities prior to bedtime, such as reading or listening to music or meditating. It is also important to avoid caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants within six hours of bedtime. Some people can benefit by writing down their worries, saving them to address the next day. Persistent difficulty in falling asleep (Insomnia) can sometimes be aided by nighttime medications and/or behavior modification techniques.

This might be a symptom of Restless Leg Syndrome, an uncomfortable sensation in the legs that occurs near bedtime, often relieved simply by moving the legs. This is a common problem, and generally is not associated with any medical disorder, except that it sometimes is more common during pregnancy.

Restless Leg Syndrome is often associated with brief involuntary leg movements during sleep, called Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. The person may not be aware that his/her legs are moving during sleep. The movements can disturb the quality of sleep, leading to unrefreshing sleep and daytime sleepiness. This diagnosis generally is determined by conducting an all-night sleep study in a qualified sleep health center.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night. These pauses in breathing can reduce oxygen levels, disrupt sleep, and increase the risk of serious health conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Common symptoms include loud snoring, waking up gasping for air, morning headaches, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. Many people are unaware they have it until a partner notices their breathing pauses.

Diagnosis usually involves a sleep study (polysomnography), either done in a sleep lab or at home, which measures breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep quality. Hoag’s sleep specialists use this information to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of sleep apnea. Options may include lifestyle changes (like weight management or sleeping on your side), CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy, oral appliances, or in some cases, surgery.

Untreated sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, memory problems, and reduced quality of life. It can also increase the risk of accidents due to fatigue.

No. While CPAP is highly effective, it’s not the only option. Some patients benefit from oral appliances that reposition the jaw, lifestyle changes, or surgical procedures. Hoag’s sleep specialists tailor treatment to what works best for you.

A polysomnogram (overnight sleep study) is noninvasive, painless test that lasts generally one night. It involves recording vital signs and other physiologic variables during a night of sleep in the bedroom laboratory.

• Do not take a nap the day before your sleep study.

• Do not have caffeine, coffee or tea starting at noon on the day of your sleep study appointment.

• On the day of your appointment you should shower and wash your hair. Clean and dry hair is necessary for the application of electrodes to your scalp. Avoid using any hair products, including conditioner, hair spray, or mousse. Refrain from using skin lotions and powders.

• Bring any medications you may need during the night. Avoid stimulants or sedatives unless approved by your physician. Please ask the Sleep Center staff if you are unsure about how the medications you take may affect your sleep study.

• Eat a normal evening meal before your arrival. If you normally eat a small snack before bed, you may bring one with you. No more than your usual intake of alcoholic beverages the day of your study.

• Bring toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.) and appropriate sleepwear. Sweats, shorts, cotton or flannel nightgown, or pajamas will be fine. (Please no sheer or revealing clothing).

• For a more comfortable stay, you may also bring your own pillow & blanket, if you prefer.

• Please leave all valuables, such as jewelry, money, etc., at home.

• The use of line powered 120 Volt appliances are prohibited (i.e. heating blankets, space heaters, etc).

You will be asked to complete sleep questionnaires about your sleeping habits, the day’s events, medications taken, and so on.

A sleep technologist will ask you to change into your night clothes or a hospital gown. Small sensors or electrodes will then be attached to parts of your head and body using a water-soluble paste and tape. Flexible wiring is attached to the sensors, which are then connected to a central unit. If you are allergic to adhesive, please notify your tech so, we may use a skin barrier for your protection. A monitoring area is located close to your room. Once all of the sensors, electrodes, and belts are attached, the technologist will take some initial readings while you are awake. You may then read or watch TV before you are ready to go to sleep.

The attached sensors monitor and record various physical activities, such as heart rhythm and rate, eye movements, muscle activity, breathing, leg movements, and blood oxygen levels. Depending on the symptoms you have described to the sleep specialist, some or all of the following will be monitored:

• Brain activity – Multiple sensors attached to your scalp record your brain waves. This reading shows the technologist which sleep stage you are in.

• Airflow – A sensor placed on your upper lip monitors the airflow in and out of your nose and mouth.

• Rapid eye movements – One or two sensors placed on the head next to the eyes record rapid eye movements (REM), which are associated with dreaming.

• Breathing – Elastic belts around your chest and stomach measure your respiratory effort.

• Heart rate – Your heart rate and rhythm are monitored with multiple sensors attached to your chest.

• Oxygen level – A device that measures oxygen levels, is clipped or taped to your finger. In patients with sleep apnea, this measurement can determine how severe the apnea episodes are.

• Leg movements – Sensors are placed on your legs, usually on the shins below the knee.

One or more technologists will observe you the entire night while you sleep using an infra-red video camera. Technologists note if you snore and how loudly, or if you have periodic body movements. They also chart your sleep stages and other measurements. The next step is for you to get comfortable and go to sleep!

Some patients need to spend more than one night in the sleep lab. This will be determined by one of our sleep physicians after the sleep study results are processed and interpreted. These results will be discussed with you at your scheduled follow-up visit.

After you wake up in the morning, the technologist will remove the equipment and adhesive tape. You will also be asked to complete another questionnaire about your night’s sleep.

• You should be able to leave between 6am -7am. Unless, you are scheduled for possible MSLT testing.

• If you are scheduled for a possible Multiple Sleep Latency Test (Daytime Nap Study), you will find out at 6am if you will need to stay for further testing. Please, read over the following information as you may stay at our center, in some cases, as late as 4pm.

• We will supply breakfast and lunch. Special diets are available as needed. You are also welcome to bring your own food if you prefer. No caffeine is allowed during this testing process.

• Bring any medications you may need during the day (except stimulants).

• Bring clothing, such as a sweat suit, that is comfortable to nap in. Bring things to do (books, correspondence, laptop etc.) to keep you busy between naps.

• No smoking is allowed inside the Sleep Center

• On the day of the nap study you will be asked to submit a urine sample for a qualitative drug screen

The best option is to use very warm to hot water and shampoo. There are showers available in the Sleep Center.

No. It is impossible because the electrodes and sensors detect the electrical and physical signals that you produce. There is no electricity being sent through the wires to the sensors on your body.

Don’t worry – disconnecting the wires to the nearby unit is a fairly quick process and a technologist is always awake and available to help you. You only need to call out and the technologist will come in and disconnect your unit.

This is a very common question. Most people doubt their ability to sleep in the lab, especially if they are unable to sleep well at home. Sleep technologists find that most patients sleep better in the lab than at home. It could be due to the fact that some people feel more secure or less distracted in the lab than at home. Some individuals are simply relieved that someone is taking an interest in their problem, it will soon be diagnosed, and they are on the road to better sleep. Even if you do not sleep well in the lab, polysomnographic testing will most likely be able to determine a great deal of information.

If you need to cancel or change the sleep study appointment, please give our office a minimum of 24 hours notice, doing so would allow our office to call another patient in your place.

Most insurance plans, including HMOs and PPOs, offer coverage for sleep studies, but the exact benefits can vary. We encourage you to check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. Our team is happy to provide you with the billing codes you’ll need, and if you are an HMO patient, please call our office so we can assist you with the authorization process.