Sleep Center

Experts estimate 70 million Americans (approximately one in three adults) experience problems sleeping, which can interfere with daily activities, and half, or 35 million, have an undiagnosed sleep disorder and should be tested. Ninety-five percent of patients suffering from sleep disorders are undiagnosed, which can add $15 billion to healthcare expenses and can cost industry more than $150 million per year. Sleep disorders affect all age groups, from pediatric to geriatric, both sexes, all races and all income levels. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the most common sleeping disorder, is responsible for at least 50,000 premature and preventable deaths per year.

The Sleep Center at VVMC has four high-tech, comfortable sleep rooms that are available for sleep studies five nights each week. The center has added 16-channel polysomnography capabilities and a second technician as demand has grown. A polysomnograph is a test of sleep cycles and stages through the use of continuous recordings of brain waves (EEG), electrical activity of muscles, eye movement, breathing rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, chest and abdominal breathing, nose and mouth breathing, heart rhythm, and direct observation of the person during sleep. In addition, limb or leg movement also is monitored, oxygen levels and expanded EEG. A video camera is used to record movements during sleep.

Types of sleep disorders that can be diagnosed in the sleep center include OSA (breathing stops during sleep), insomnia (difficulty staying asleep), narcolepsy (difficulty staying awake), periodic limb movement disorders or restless leg syndrome (involuntary movement of the legs or arms during sleep), and parasomnias such as sleep walking, sleep talking, teeth grinding and nightmares.

Patients concerned they may have a sleep disorder should talk to their primary care physician about referral to the VVMC Sleep Center.