Sleep Disorders Center

(317) 468.4610

Are you getting a good night’s sleep? Millions of Americans aren’t and the number is growing.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from one of several common sleep disorders.

  • Difficulty initiating/maintaining sleep
  • Loud snoring or gasping
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Unrefreshed sleep
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Aches and pains, especially the back
  • Unusual behaviors during sleep (possible sleep walking or talking)

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

A person with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing repeatedly during sleep due to a collapse of the airway. This collapse can be caused by excess tissue in the back of the airway, a decrease in the tone of the muscles holding the airway open or the tongue falling back and closing off the airway thus preventing air from entering the lungs.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurologic disorder that is characterized by a failure to maintain normal boundaries between sleep and being awake. There are several different symptoms of varying frequency and severity.

  • The most prevalent symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness, which occurs in 100 percent of patients diagnosed with narcolepsy.
  • Cataplexy (episodes of muscle weakness) is the second most common symptom, occurring in 60 percent to 100 percent of patients.
  • Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations (vivid hallucinations occurring at sleep onset) occur in 15 percent to 80 percent of patients.

Less than 50 percent of patients are diagnosed. There are significant problems with diagnosing narcolepsy. Many of the patients are incorrectly diagnosed with depression, fibromyalgia and epilepsy.

The Hancock Regional Hospital Sleep Disorders Center is working with exciting new medications that dramatically reduce the occurrence of cataplexy.

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Also known as nocturnal myoclonus, involves disruptive movements of the legs and arms that occur during sleep and is believed to be related to restless leg syndrome. The movements occur at periodic (regular) intervals, usually every 30 seconds, and are clustered into episodes lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. These limbs movements may lead to excessive daytime sleepiness or sleep maintenance insomnia.

What happens if sleep disorders are left untreated?

A variety of health disorders can arise if sleep disorders are left untreated:

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • High blood pressure
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack
  • Car accidents

What can be done?

Sleep disorders can be corrected through the use of medical and/or surgical therapies. The method of treatment is determined by the type and severity of the sleep disorder.

Help is available

The staff at Hancock Regional Hospital Sleep Disorders Center can help diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

With four comfortable suites, the sleep center staff can schedule a time similar to the patient’s normal sleep period. Patients usually receive their diagnosis in less than three weeks. Most insurance plans cover the study.

You don’t have to suffer from sleep disorders. Let the Hancock Regional Hospital Sleep Disorders Center help you get a good night’s sleep.

Call (317) 468.4610 or e-mail the Sleep Center for more information.