Holy-Family Hospital

	Sleep Center

Holy Family Sleep Center is accredited byt the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). The Center uses state-of-the-art laboratory technology and a team of experienced, professional sleep specialists including staff from pulmonary medicine, neurology, surgical otolaryngology, clinical psychology and psychiatry.

The Center is well equipped to diagnose all the factors, both physiological and psychological, that keep you awake at night. And once your problem has been diagnosed, it can be effectively treated... so you don't have to lose sleep over it anymore!

Most health insurance plans cover all or part of the cost of diagnosis and treatment at the Holy Family Sleep Center.

What are Sleep Disorders?

Many psychological and physical conditions can cause sleep disorders. Holy Family Sleep Center uses sophisticated diagnostic techniques to determine which disorders are affecting your sleep. Here are some of the common causes:

Insomnia is the frustrating inability to get to sleep or stay asleep. This common disorder affects 30% of adults.

Sleep Apnea is the repeated cessation of breathing for more than 10 seconds. Sleep Apnea can occur as often as 40-60 times an hour -- that means the brain, heart, and other organs are deprived of oxygen. It causes fatigue and daytime sleepiness. Central Sleep Apnea, a less common form, occurs when the brain fails to signal the breathing muscles to initiate respiration. Sleep apnea is almost always accompanied by snoring, although not everyone who snores has this condition. Sleep apnea has been associated with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Restless Leg Syndrome is an irresistible leg movement often accompanied by a creeping sensation deep in the legs or arms. These repetitive movements may disrupt sleep and lead to daytime drowsiness.

Sleepwalking and Night Terrors are sleep disorders with some common symptoms such as walking around, looking for or hiding things,

or a fear of waking up somewhere other than their own bed. Sufferers may seem confused or disoriented and may not remember what they did after they awaken.

Narcolepsy is an embarrassing and possibly dangerous condition that affects a small percentage of people. Narcolepsy is characterized by uncontrollable daytime sleep attacks. It may be associated with Cataplexy, the loss of muscle tone, and with hallucinations while awake.

REM Behavioral Disorder normally causes a state of paralysis during REM sleep. It is characterized by vigorous sleep behaviors, accompanied by vivid dreaming where patients may physically -- often violently -- act out their dreams.

How Can the Sleep Center Help?

Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively. The Sleep Center will help your doctor determine exactly what factors are preventing you from getting a great night's sleep.

How does a sleep study work? You may be asked to keep a log of your sleep patterns for several days before coming to the Center. A physician will evaluate the information and may decide that specialized testing is needed to verify a suspected condition.

Many people come to the Sleep Center for an overnight study called a polysomnograph. Body functions are painlessly measured, including sleep patterns, brain wave and heart activity, and leg and eye movement, all while you sleep in an attractive, private room.

What do you bring to a sleep study? You can bring familiar items to make you comfortable... a pillow, blanket, pajamas, a book, or even a favorite teddy bear!

Some patients who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness may also participate in similar daytime studies involving a series of nap sessions every two hours.

Call 482-2116 for an appointment!