Health Services
Sleep Laboratory at Great River Medical Center
Quality sleep is necessary for good health. It restores our bodies and minds. So when a person has a sleep disorder, their mental and physical health can be affected.
What are symptoms of a sleep disorder?
A person with a sleep disorder may experience all or some of the following:
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Depression |
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Excessive tiredness |
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Falling asleep at inappropriate times |
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Irritability |
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Loud, disruptive snoring |
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Memory loss |
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Morning headaches |
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Reduced attention and concentration |
What are the different types of sleep disorder?
The three most common sleep disorders are:
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Sleep apnea – A condition when breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep, causing those afflicted to wake many times a night. Sleep apnea is the most common of all sleep disorders, affecting eight million Americans. The relaxation of the upper-airway muscles during sleep and the subsequent blockage of the airway can cause obstructive sleep apnea by the tonsils, uvula or fatty tissue. The following short quiz can help you determine if you may have sleep apnea. Check each of the following that applies to you.
If you circled three or more of the above, you show symptoms of sleep apnea. You may wish to consult with your physician. |
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Insomnia – When a person has trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep, night after night. Insomnia can be caused by a number of conditions, including:
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Narcolepsy – A life-long neurological disorder primarily characterized by sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks and persistent daytime sleepiness. Narcolepsy is a genetically determined disease that usually appears in young adulthood. |
How are sleep disorders diagnosed?
Sophisticated new tests now are available to help physicians diagnose sleep disorders. Monitoring your sleep during an overnight sleep study is the most common and reliable method to diagnose a sleep disorder. The activity of your heart and brain, eye movement and movement of respiratory muscles, air flow from your nose and mouth, oxygen level in your blood, as well as snoring and body position are monitored and recorded.
If obstructive apneas are present, and depending on the severity, a device called CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) may be applied. The CPAP devise directs a steady flow of air from a small compressor into a mask placed over the nose. The mask is worn while you sleep. The air pressure keeps the airway open, preventing apneas and frequent awakenings. In addition, your physician may suggest that you lose weight, avoid alcohol (especially close to bedtime) or refer you to an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist) for possible surgical evaluation.
What should I do if I think I have a sleep disorder?
The first step is to talk with your physician. Your physician must order a test for a sleep disorder; it can only be performed with your physician’s approval. Your physician will make arrangements for your test. Your physician does not have to be a member of the Great River Health Systems medical staff to order the test at our center.
For more information about sleep disorders or the hospital’s Sleep Laboratory, please call (319) 768-4325.