ST. PETER’S HOSPITAL

Sleep Disorders

NarcolepsyNarcolepsy, a disorderof irresistible daytimesleep attacks, is aninherited disorderwhich may also cause asudden loss of muscletone during laughter orexcitement. Narcoleptics also experiencenumerous sleep disruptions at night.

Nocturnal Myoclonus or Restless LegsThis common disorder is typified by jerkingmuscle movements of the legs and feet whichoccur throughout the night and disturb normalsleep patterns. The movements may be of suchshort duration that they hardly awaken theperson. However, this disorder often affectsthe sleep patterns of bedpartners and thesufferer’s fragmented sleep results in daytimesleepiness.

Sleep Disorders andComplaints

Difficulty Initiating andMaintaining SleepResearchers have discovered that there aremany reasons why people have trouble fallingasleep and/or staying asleep, and have madenumerous advances in the treatment of thisdisorder. There can be many causes including

general depression, stress or poor sleep habits. St. Peter’s Sleep Center, which utilizes a number ofeffective treatments, selects a course of treatmentbased upon the specific disorder.

Sleep Schedule DisordersSome people have difficulty sleeping duringnormal bedtime hours. The most common reasonfor this problem is delayed sleep phase. In most ofthe population, the body temperature peaks in theevening, falls around bedtime and rises in themorning. With delayed sleep phase, the body’stemperature and internal clock (circadian rhythmsystem) vary from this standard. Significantadvances have been made in treating this disorder.Behavior modification and innovative bright lighttherapy, appropriately scheduled, actually can resetthe internal clock.

ParasomniaParasomnia refers to a disorder that occurs inconjunction with sleep such as sleep walking andnight terrors. Most parasomniacs do not recallthese sleep episodes. While parasonmnias occurwith relative frequency in children, they also mayoccur in adults and treatment is determined afterevaluation.

St. Peter’s Sleep Center is accredited by theAmerican Academy of Sleep Medicine

ST PETER’S HOSPITAL SLEEP CENTEROne Pine West Plaza

Albany, New York 12205518-464-9999

www.sphp.com

Sleep DisordersEach year 10 million Americans seek help from their physicians for sleep disorders.These disorders may be triggered by stressor may be the result of a lifetime of sleepdifficulties. Either way, effective treatmentis often available.

St. Peter’s Sleep Center, a member of St. Peter’s Health Care Services, offers aspecialty service established for diagnos-ing and treating sleep/wake disorders.The center provides professional evalua-tion and comprehensive sleep monitoring services for a complete range of sleep andwakefulness problems.

The center serves a 24-county regionencompassing all of northeastern New York andwest central New England. The center isaccredited by the American Academy of SleepMedicine.

Advancing the study and understanding of sleep/wake disorders, the center’s experienced staff isdedicated to helping people who suffer fromsome chronic form of sleep disorder find helpand lead more satisfying, healthier lives.

Taking a multidisciplinary approach – tapping the expertise of local specialists in the fields of otolaryngology, pulmonary medicine, psychology,pediatrics, neurology, dentistry and nutrition –the center evaluates patients with a variety ofsleep complaints and disorders including:• Sleep Apnea Syndromes • Narcolepsy• Nocturnal Myoclonus or Restless Legs• Difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep• Sleep schedule disorders• Parasomnia

Evaluation and Sleep StudiesOnce a sleep/wake problem is identified, the center’s sleep specialists design each patient’s evaluation protocols. The center’s hotel-likeaccommodations are designed to produce a comfortable “homey” atmosphere. The patient isasked to sleep as if they were at home, eventhough they are constantly being evaluated.

The center’s diagnostic equipment records and documents more than 1,000 pages of data, whichis compiled during each night’s sleep and isrequired for the in-depth evaluation process.Most patients are evaluated during normalsleeping hours. Sleep specialists monitor brainwaves, muscle activity, breathing patterns, oxygenlevels and heart rate.

Treatment for Sleep/WakeDisordersAfter the diagnosis has been established,treatment of sleep disorders can includebehavior modification, medication, and surgeryor the use of devices which open the upperairways and assist breathing. Treatment,determined on the basis of results of the totalsleep evaluation, is tailored to each patient.

Help Is AvailableIf you or someone you know is experiencing asleep/wake problem, St. Peter’s Sleep Center isready to help. Patients should be referred to thecenter by a primary care physician whorecognizes that a patient is suffering from asleep-related disorder.

Initial office visits and any follow-up care are generally covered under health or insuranceplans. Sleep studies are considered to beoutpatient procedures and are treated as suchby most insurance plans. Patients should checkwith their individual insurance plans for exactcoverage.

The center’s staff will be glad to assist you in determining your insurance coverage and willhelp you obtain the necessary prior approvals. Ifreferral and/or prior approval is required by yourhealth insurance plan, these must be obtainedbefore services are rendered at the center.

Sleep Disorders andComplaints

Sleep Apnea SyndromesSleep apnea is a serious disorder that can belife-threatening. A person with sleep apneastops breathing at intervals throughout thenight. This is often caused by a blockage of theupper airway. Over a period of time, the personoften becomes severely sleep deprived and mayexperience excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleepapnea sufferers may also awaken frequently andcan develop heart and lung complications.

Many people who snore have, or will develop,sleep apnea. However, it also can occur in non-snorers.

The airway obstruction associated with sleep apnea may be caused by obesity, by the resting place of the tongue or by other physiologicalfactors.

Treatment may involve the application of a mechanical breathing aid that forces air throughthe passageway during sleep or the surgicalremoval of the obstructing tissue.