Sleep Medicine
Sleep disorders program at Emerson Hospital
Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome, affect more than 100 million Americans of all ages. These disorders can deprive people of the sleep they need, and may cause a lowered quality of life, reduced personal health, and an inability to carry out important daily functions.
Fortunately, diagnostic testing and treatment are available. The Sleep Disorders Program at Emerson Hospital has helped thousands of people over the last several years find their way to a better night’s sleep.
Diagnosis and testing
Sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated by many different medical professionals at Emerson Hospital, including general practitioners, and specialists in neurology, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology and pediatrics.
Your health care team may schedule a sleep study, or an overnight diagnostic test conducted at the Sleep Disorders Program, a private, comfortable and relaxed setting on the fourth floor of Emerson Hospital. Recently renovated, it is complemented by board-certified and board-eligible sleep specialists and specially-trained sleep technologists.
During a sleep study, different body functions are measured, including brain waves, breathing, blood oxygen levels, and leg movements, using small, thin monitoring wires that are attached on the head, near the eyes, under the nose, on the chin and at the chest and legs.
Standard methods of measuring sleep include the following tests:
• Polysomnography: This records a variety of body functions during sleep, such as the electrical activity of the brain, eye movement, leg muscle activity, heart rate, respiratory effort, air flow, and blood oxygen levels.
• Multiple sleep latency test: This measures the time it takes to fall asleep.
Treating sleep disorders
Treatments for sleep disorders vary, but always include treating the underlying cause. For example, as many people with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight, a weight reduction program may be prescribed. Another effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is continuous positive airway pressure, which uses a special machine and tubing to gently blow air into a patient’s nose and throat using a mask. The air flow keeps the upper airway open, eliminating snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep. Alternatively, some people benefit from an oral dental appliance, or from upper airway surgery.
People with narcolepsy often benefit from medications that help to overcome feelings of excessive daytime sleepiness. Patients with restless leg syndrome may also benefit from appropriate medication therapy.
Physicians on the sleep disorders team
Gary Stanton, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and board-certified sleep specialist, and is medical director of Emerson’s Sleep Disorders Program.
Terese C. Hammond, MD, is board-certified in critical care medicine, internal mediciane and pulmonology. She is very active in the Sleep Disorders Program.
Meena Mehta, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonology, and critical care medicine, and is board-certified as a sleep specialist.
Insurance
Most insurance plans will cover the cost of a sleep study when prescribed by a physician.
For more information
For more information about the Emerson Hospital Sleep Disorders Program, call 800-432-8808. Appointments for sleep tests are usually available within three weeks of the initial call.