Diagnosing Sleep Disorders

It's important to recognize the symptoms of these disorders which range from daytime sleepiness, fatigue and irritability to frequent illness and reduced concentration and memory. But left untreated, long-term effects can include exhaustion, impaired mental and job performance, depression, impotency, high blood pressure, heart problems, congestive heart failure and even death.

Through advances in diagnosis and treatment, patients can control the nocturnal and daytime effects of sleep disturbances. To diagnose a sleep disorder, a sleep study is often prescribed. A sleep study, or polysomnogram, is a recording that includes measurements used to identify different sleep stages and classify various sleep problems.

The Sleep Centers include roomy, luxurious sleep bedrooms that are equipped with DVDs, cable television and private bathrooms. Patients are monitored throughout the various stages of sleep, including drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep and dream sleep by measuring different activities of the brain and body.

The results of these tests help determine an accurate diagnosis. Once the disorder is identified, a treatment plan is developed.