Sleep Disorder Articles Library

If you haven't been able to get to sleep lately, or feel you have been sleeping too much and aren't sure why, it may be time to visit your doctor and see if scheduling a sleep study is recommended. A sleep study by a Licensed Sleep Technician and the results analyzed by a Board Certified Sleep Physician can determine the cause of your abnormal sleeping patterns, and give you recommendation on the appropriate treatment.

Can't Sleep Properly?

Don't we all wish we could sleep like a baby? Well believe it or not we can. There are many reasons why we don't get the proper amount of sleep or the rest-full sleep we need to wake up refreshed and ready to start the day.  It can be as simple as sleeping on the wrong mattress, too much food or drink just before bed time or it may be a more serious medical problem such as Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy. You can easily change your mattress or stop eating at least 2 hours before bed but if the problem is medical it may be time to see your doctor for a sleep study. Below are two of the reasons someone might want to get a sleep study.

The Dangers of Sleep Apnea

woman sleeping

Sleep Apnea occurs when the sleeper repeatedly stops breathing for 10 or more seconds during sleep. The Greek word "apnea" literally means "without breath." There are three types of apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed; of the three, obstructive is the most common. It can be very be dangerous as people with sleep apnea sometimes stop breathing hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer.

Narcolepsy

Another reason for a sleep study could be narcolepsy. This is a condition that is characterized by falling asleep while performing daily tasks. People with narcolepsy are unable to stay awake for long periods of time, and can not control when they go to sleep. For this reason, it is very dangerous for individuals with narcolepsy to drive, operate machinery, or to care for small children, unless the condition is controlled with medication and treatments from the doctor. Narcolepsy can be characterized by brief attacks of deep sleep, and with symptoms including excessive sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, overwhelming daytime sleepiness (even after adequate nighttime sleep), and an abnormal tendency to pass directly from wakefulness into REM sleep. Not all narcoleptics have all of these symptoms.

If you think you have either of the symptoms above Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy you may want to contact your doctor and schedule a sleep study so you too can be sleeping like a baby again.  Below are three of the test done at Feeling Great Sleep Centers, NC.

Sleep Study Testing at Feeling Great Sleep Centers, NC

• The sleep study that you will most likely undergo once you arrive at the doctor's office is a polysomnogram. During the test, your body movements are monitored, and your breathing rate is observed so that doctors can determine whether or not you are suffering from insomnia, narcolepsy, or sleep apnea syndrome.
• You may also have the option of taking a multiple sleep latency test - this sleep study measures the time that it take for you to fall asleep, and a video camera is used in the testing to record your movements while you are sleeping.
• The multiple wake test is another method that doctors use to determine if you are having sleeping problem. For this test, doctors will determine whether or nor you can stay awake during the times when you're not supposed to be sleeping, such as during work hours, or while your performing regular tasks around the house.

If you think you may need to be a part of a sleep study, be sure to ask your doctor about the best tests for you. You can also visit our site www.FeelingGreatSleepCenter.com, www.webmd.com or www.sleepstudy.com to find out more about how you can get tested.

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