Sleep Disorders
Tired of being tired?
Getting a good night’s rest is important for your well-being. Not only does it affect your overall physical health, it’s good for your brain because when sleeping, your brain is preparing for the next day by forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information.
Too often, sleep problems are ignored or assumed to be psychological in origin. Better testing procedures have revealed new information on sleep-wake disturbances, resulting in greater understanding and more successful treatment.
Our sleep study center, accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, offers objective and systematic diagnosis and treatment of clinical sleep-wake disorders for persons of any age. Patients can be referred by a family physician or self-referral.
Common sleep problems
Insomnia
A person with insomnia has difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. This can lead to daytime sleepiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and irritability.
Sleep apnea
A person with sleep apnea stops breathing multiple times throughout the night, which puts significant stress on the body. This stress can lead to health problems and dangerous medical issues over time, such as daytime fatigue, heart problems, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, liver problems, complications with medications and general anesthesia from surgery.
Learn more about Firelands Health sleep apnea treatment
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks
Restless leg syndrome
A person with restless leg syndrome has an uncomfortable, irresistible urge to move legs often while sleeping. They may experience aching, tingling or crawling sensations.
Sleep study tests
Tests available at the sleep study center include, but are not limited to:
- Nocturnal polysomnography
- Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT/MWT)
- Nasal CPAP trial and re-evaluation
- Thorough medical evaluations and testing
Treatment and management
With accurate diagnosis, most sleep disorders can be effectively treated. Treatment plans vary by patient. Some plans may include medication while others may require changes in daily habits or working conditions. When sleep apnea is present, a technique of assisted respiration called nasal CPAP may be used to diminish serious health risks. Occasionally, surgical procedures can provide the most effective treatment for sleep-wake disorders.
Inspire Sleep
Inspire is a surgical alternative to CPAP that works inside your body. It’s a small implantable device placed during a same-day outpatient procedure. The device is turned on nightly with a small remote and stays on while you sleep. Learn more
Why is sleep so important?
According to the National Institutes of Health, a good night's sleep improves learning and sleep deficiency alters activity in some parts of the brain, making it difficult for someone to:
- Make decisions
- Solve problems
- Control emotions and behavior
- Cope with change
In addition, sleep deficiency has been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.
Adults aren’t the only ones who need sufficient rest. Children and teens who have sleep issues may also have problems getting along with others or feel angry and impulsive, have mood swings, feel sad or depressed, or have a lack of motivation. They also may have problems paying attention, get lower grades and feel stressed.
How much sleep do you need?
You may think you can function on very little sleep; that 4-5 hours of sleep a night will be just fine. However, sleeping less than what is recommended adds up over time. Sneaking in a nap or two once in a while is ok, but naps don’t provide all of the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
The National Institutes of Health recommends the following amounts of sleep:
| Age |
Recommended Amount of Sleep |
| Newborns |
16–18 hours a day |
| Preschool-aged children |
11–12 hours a day |
| School-aged children |
At least 10 hours a day |
| Teens |
9–10 hours a day |
| Adults (including the elderly) |
7–8 hours a day |
