If You Have Trouble Sleeping, You Are Not Alone.
Sleep disorders are quite common. Fifty to one hundred million Americans suffer from a sleeping problem at some time in their lives. The greatest proportion of people experiencing sleep disorders (three of every ten) have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. At least another five percent of the population has difficulty with excessive sleep and ten million people with sleep problems seek medical help from a physician each year.
Pasco Regional Medical Center offers the services of board certified Pulmonologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders.
Pasco Regional Medical Center Sleep Lab Location
6233 Abbott Station Drive
Zephyrhills, Florida 33542
Telephone: (813) 783-1866
How do you know if you have a sleep disorder? Symptoms may include:
- A long time falling asleep
- You are excessively sleepy during the day
- You feel fatigued or weak during the day
- You rely on alcohol or pills to help you sleep
- You snore loudly during sleep or have trouble breathing during sleep
- You move around excessively during sleep
- You sleepwalk or talk during sleep
Types of Sleep Disorders
- Insomnias are sleep disorders that make it difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep or cause you to wake up too early. Hypersomnias are sleep disorders that cause you to sleep excessively.
- Narcolepsy is one type of hypersomnia. It is a condition with two primary symptoms: excessive daytime sleepiness and periods of loss of voluntary muscle control. This condition is most obvious when a person becomes sleepy or falls asleep during everyday activities, such as having a conversation or eating a meal.
- Sleep Apnea, a second type of hypersomnia, is a condition in which a person unknowingly stops breathing for several seconds many times each night. Apneic episodes cause the oxygen content of the blood to decrease and the carbon dioxide level to increase. This means the heart, brain and vital tissues are deprived of much-needed oxygenated blood. The person experiencing sleep apnea is excessively sleepy during daytime hours because nighttime sleep has been interrupted many times by these episodes of stopped breathing. Loud snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnea.
- Nocturnal Myoclonus, also known as Restless Leg Syndrome, is a twitching or sudden jerking movement of the lower extremities during the night. These rhythmic leg jerks occur approximately every 20 to 30 seconds during the night and can disturb the quality of a good night's sleep.
- Jet Lag, also called work shift changes, is a sleep disorder that affects the sleep-wake schedule. This disorder is experienced when there are rapid time-zone changes, frequent work-shift changes or self-imposed irregular sleep schedules. Interruptions in sleep cycles cause difficulty in sleeping when a person wants, needs or expects to sleep. These interruptions result in a person awaking at inappropriate times (such as in the middle of the night) or experiencing excessive drowsiness during the day.
- Parasomnias are sleep disorders associated with a variety of sleep behaviors. These sleep disorders cause undesirable physical symptoms that either appear in sleep or worsen with sleep. Such symptoms include night terrors, sleep walking, nighttime bed wetting, nightmares, teeth grinding or head banging.
The Pasco Regional Medical Center Sleep Lab provides complete clinical evaluations, including a nighttime sleep test called a polysomnogram. A polysomnogram test involves sleeping in a laboratory where all aspects of sleep are carefully monitored. It is done in a comfortable, private room with a technician in attendance throughout the night for assistance. The test is safe and painless.
During the sleep test, sensors are placed on the patient's head, chest, on either side of the eyes and under the chin. These sensors record brain waves, eye movements and heart and muscle activity. Other sensors are used to monitor breathing and blood oxygen levels. Nighttime recordings often are followed by a daytime test, such as the multiple sleep latency test, to determine whether the sleep disorder involves increased tendency to fall asleep.
Can Sleep Disorders be Treated?
Absolutely. Once a sleep disorder is diagnosed, it can be successfully treated. The information from your sleep tests can assist your physician or recommended sleep specialist in designing the proper treatment to help you get a better night's sleep.
A good night's sleep is essential for your well being. For more information, talk to your doctor about the Sleep Lab at Pasco Regional Medical Center or call a Sleep Specialist at the Sleep Lab at (813) 783-1866.