Sleep isn't just a "time out" from life, itís important for renewing our mental and physical health every day. Falling and staying asleep can be as natural as breathing for some, for others it would be an answer to a prayer.

Sleep research has developed sleep hygiene rules, which if followed, may have positive effects on sleep, if other sleep disorders are not a factor. The sleep hygiene rules are as follows:

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol within four to six hours of bedtime.
• Avoid nicotine close to bedtime and during the night.
• Avoid large meals before bedtime.
• Avoid strenuous exercise within six hours of bedtime.
• Minimize noise, light, and extremes in temperature in the bedroom.
• Try to sleep when you are drowsy.
• Maintain a regular arise time, even on weekends.
• Avoid napping during the day. If daytime sleepiness becomes overwhelming, take only one nap for less than an hour, before 3 p.m.
• If you cannot fall asleep or stay asleep, leave your bedroom. Engage in a quiet activity somewhere else, but do not allow yourself to fall asleep outside the bedroom. Return to bed only when you are sleepy. Repeat this process as often as necessary throughout the night.

If sleep problems persists after four to six weeks of adjusting your sleep and daytime patterns or if a sleep disorder is suspected, it is time to talk with your physician.

More than 100 million Americans regularly fail to get a good nightís sleep. Sleep is not a simple process. Sleep and its different stages are influenced by parts of the brain. The stages of sleep include drowsiness, light sleep, light sleep, deep sleep, and dream sleep.

At least 84 disorders of sleeping and waking lead to a reduced quality of life and health. Sleep disorders can lead to problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties staying awake or staying with a regular sleep/wake cycle, sleepwalking, bedwetting, and nightmares. Other problems that interfere with sound sleep, such as snoring and gasping for breath during sleep, can lead to other health problems and can be life threatening.

What Is A Sleep Disorder?

Snoring can be more serious than annoying. Mild snoring may be classified as social snoring, and not life threatening. Snoring that causes embarrassment or marital discord, or is heavy and irregular may be related to a more serious and potentially life-threatening condition called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

Sleep Apnea is found in people of all ages and sizes. Apnea is a word meaning lack of breath. For a breathing event to be classified as an OSA event, it must be at least 10 seconds in length, and caused by some type of obstruction in the airway. Apnea events can occur from a few times to several hundred times a night. Sleep apnea can cause temporary low oxygen levels in the blood, high blood pressure, frequent arousal from sleep and a strain on major organs, including the heart.

People who have OSA are often unaware of their condition. The first to suspect that something is wrong is usually family members, generally from the heavy snoring and the struggle to breathe.

The effects of OSA include, but are not limited to, frequent morning headaches, restless sleep, decreased mental alertness, excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, frequent trips to the bathroom at night, impotence, and can result in stroke.

Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or to sleep during regular sleep hours. For most people this is an infrequent or rare occurrence. When insomnia develops into a daily event, you should talk with your physician.

Causes of chronic insomnia can include use of some medications, poor sleep habits, drugs and alcohol, stress, restless leg syndrome, and OSA.

Periodic Leg Movements or Restless Leg Syndrome are legs that twitch or jerk during sleep causing sleep disturbance. People who have periodic leg movements or restless legs suffer from fragmented sleep, frequent awakening, insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and occasionally, leg cramps while sleeping.

Narcolepsy is a life long disorder, emerging after adolescence, with no known cause. While narcolepsy is incurable, it can be helped with medications.

The main characteristic of narcolepsy is excessive and overwhelming daytime sleepiness. A person with narcolepsy may fall asleep at inappropriate times and places, sometimes several times a day. Other symptoms of narcolepsy may include sleep paralysis (unable to move temporarily upon awakening), loss of muscle function caused by sudden emotional reactions such as laughter, anger or fear, and sleep onset hallucinations.

Night Terrors and Nightmares can occur at any age. It is common for small children to occasionally have these and is considered normal. In adults, frequent night terrors and nightmare may be a symptom of a sleep disorder.

Disruption of the Normal Sleep Cycle can occur as a result of jet lag, shift work, and or poor sleep habits. Sleeping and waking are governed by an internal biological clock, which can be disrupted. Keeping a sleep diary can help diagnose the disruption of the sleep/wake cycle.

Daytime Sleepiness is a common symptom that can be caused by one or more of the above mentioned sleep disorders. The most common causes of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness include, but are not limited to: sleep apnea, periodic leg movements, narcolepsy, chronic insufficient sleep, insomnia, and medication affect.

Oxygen Levels during sleep can be affected in people that have chronic breathing problems or lung disease. A complete evaluation of blood oxygenation and respiratory function during sleep may be required for a full evaluation of a chronic respiratory condition. Please check with your physician if you have questions regarding this.

What Is A Sleep Disorders Center?

The Mercy General Health Partners (MGHP) Sleep Disorders Center is a specialized medical facility, located on the Oak Campus, in Muskegon, Michigan. Technologists that staff the Sleep Disorders Center are experienced in Respiratory Therapy, Sleep, and EEG technologies. Physicians, experienced in diagnosing and treating sleep-related disorders, interpret the sleep studies.

ěWeíre excited about the services MGHP can now offer the community. People who have suffered from sleep disorders will now have hope for relief, said Patty Boker, Sleep Disorders Center manager. ěThe equipment used in diagnosing sleep disorders is the newest and best that technology has to offer. MGHP has spared no expense to make this a quality program.î

A comfortable ěhotel likeî atmosphere with the personal attention and expertise required for accurate sleep diagnostics. Each patient has their own private room that is monitored from a control room.

Do I Have A Sleep Disorder?

o YES o NO Do you snore loudly enough to disturb the sleep of those around you?

o YES o NO Do you stop breathing, snort, or gasp for breath while sleeping?

o YES o NO Do you feel sleepy and tired all the time, even though you sleep?

o YES o NO Do you wake up too early and have trouble getting back to sleep?

o YES o NO Do you fall asleep in public places, while driving, or while reading?

o YES o NO Do you kick your legs, toss and turn, sleep walk, or have night terrors?

o YES o NO Do you have trouble getting to sleep more than 4 times per week?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may suffer from a sleep disorder.

If You Think You Have a Sleep Disorder

The first thing that you should do is talk to your doctor or a sleep specialist. A sleep specialist consultation is necessary to schedule an appointment with the Sleep Disorders Center.

Most sleep disorders can be effectively treated once accurately diagnosed. A variety of treatments exist and the type of treatment required will depend on the diagnoses. Sleep patients may require life long treatment, with your doctor and the Sleep Specialist working together.

What to expect at the Sleep Disorders Center

The testing is called Nocturnal Polysomnography (NPSG). Polysomnography means to monitor while sleeping and is a painless procedure. Small electrodes are placed on the skin with tape or gauze, attached by wire to a monitoring device, and used to document sleep patterns, breathing and heart rates, leg and body movements, oxygen levels, and other important signals.

You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your previous night and day. Complete explanations are given for all of the testing procedures. Once you are in your nightclothes, the technologist will apply the electrodes and other monitoring devices. You will then get into the bed and fall asleep naturally. A minimum of six hours of monitoring is needed for a complete sleep evaluation.

Sleeping in the Sleep Center is not as difficult as it sounds. Our staff is professional, helpful, and friendly. The Sleep Disorders Center is quiet, comfortable, and clean. You will be assigned your own room and bathroom with clean linen and towels. You will be able to change positions and get up to use the bathroom during the night, if necessary. The technologist will be able to see and hear you, as you are continuously monitored throughout the night.

Costs

There are separate charges for the consultation with the Sleep Specialist, the Sleep Study, and the Sleep Study interpretation. Most insurance plans cover all or part of these charges. We encourage you to check with your health insurance company to be sure. Call the Sleep Disorders Center for a list of charges and codes that your insurance company may require.

Making an Appointment

Your doctor can make an appointment for you, or you can call the Mercy General Health Partners Sleep Disorders Center for more information at (231) 672-6186.

The Sleep Specialists

Medical Director
Kevin Kellogg, M.D.
Board Certified Neurologist
Diplomat, American Association of Sleep Medicine

Staff Physicians
Douglas E. Hoch, M.D.
Board Certified Pulmonologist

Mark Ivey, M.D.
Board Certified Pulmonologist
Diplomat, American Association of Sleep Medicine

Andrew Kleaveland, M.D.
Board Certified Pulmonologist

Ivan Landan, M.D.
Neurologist

Sleep Center Manager
Patti A. Sargent, R. EEGT, R. PSGT, CRT

Staff
The Sleep Disorders Center is staffed with Registered and Certified Respiratory Therapists, as well as Registered Polysomnographic Technologists, which are Registered by the International Board of Sleep Technologists.

LINKS
National Institutes of Health Sleep Information
National Sleep Foundation Sleep Disorders

Sleep Disorders Center, Muskegon General • 1700 Oak Avenue • Muskegon, MI 49442 • (231) 672-6186