The amount and quality of sleep you get affects more than just how you feel the next day. Poor sleep has been linked to memory loss, hypertension and a higher risk for stroke, heart problems, obesity and depression. Many times, a sleep disorder can be the root cause of poor sleep; in fact, one third of American adults have a sleep disorder.
Talk to your doctor to discuss a possible sleep disorder or call the Upland Hills Health Heart, Lung & Sleep Center at (608) 930-7211 for more information. And because sleep disorders are relatively common, many health insurances cover the cost of diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms of a sleep disorder:
| Fatigue and daytime drowsiness | Restless legs |
| Hypertension | Snoring |
| Headaches | Acid Reflux |
| Falling asleep while driving, at work or at school | Uncontrolled diabetes |
| Poor concentration or memory | Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep |
Pauses in breathing while sleeping
Our team of physicians and polysomnographic technologists will identify your problem and offer possible treatment plans. This is done through a sleep study.
A sleep study is a diagnostic test where patients spend the night at Upland Hills Health in one of our comfortable, private and hotel-like sleep study suites. Throughout the night your breathing, heart rhythm, brain waves, leg movements and oxygen concentration are monitored by a polysomnographic technologist who is sitting in another room. Based on behaviors and data collected throughout the night, we can determine if you have a sleep disorder and what it is.
“For years I couldn’t get a good night’s rest. I could sleep endlessly and still not feel rested. Having several complex/difficult medical issues I
always just blamed my tiredness and poor sleep on my pain.
When my daytime drowsiness got severe enough that I was falling asleep at inappropriate times, I finally decided to have a home sleep study. I’m so glad I did.
It was simple and easy to complete, thanks to a sleep technologist at Upland Hills Health. I downloaded an app to my iPad, connected the parts, and turned on the machine before I went to sleep. I pressed “stop” in the morning when I woke up and the data was immediately sent to the Upland Hills Health Sleep Center.
Since I’ve received my CPAP I’ve been sleeping wonderfully. I can sleep the whole night without even rolling over anymore. The best part is that my chronic pain has decreased significantly and I feel like I can accomplish a little more from day to day.
The sleep technologist was amazing and so helpful with scheduling my set up/study, walking me through how to set it up at home, how I will get my results, the follow up process, and getting set up with my CPAP. Upland Hills is amazing! Thank you all!”
A.J. Rider, Dodgeville
Common Sleep Disorders
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Sleep Apnea—a condition that results from obstructed airways in the throat and that causes breathing to actually stop for up to two minutes at a time and as often as 100 – 500 times a night. Signs of sleep apnea include pauses in breathing during sleep, excessive snoring, dry mouth, nausea and headaches in the morning.
Possible treatments include weight loss, breathing devices, avoiding alcohol and sleeping pills or surgery.
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Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)—a condition where people suffer from unpleasant itchy or “creepy-crawling” sensations in the legs while sitting or lying still, especially at night. Those afflicted with RLS say that the uncomfortable feelings are temporarily relieved by stretching or moving the legs, which prevents them from falling and staying asleep.
Possible treatments include: Finding and treating the underlying cause.
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Insomnia—difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early or not feeling refreshed when you wake are all symptoms of insomnia. It may be caused by anxiety, depression, altered sleep patterns, breathing disturbances or pain.
Possible treatments include modifying behavior through stress-reducing programs, counseling, increasing relaxation and recreation time and medication.
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Narcolepsy—the overwhelming desire to sleep at inappropriate times or the ability to fall asleep almost anywhere without control. Signs included excessive sleep, muscle weakness, terrifying dreams, feeling paralyzed when falling asleep or waking with strong emotions.
Possible treatments include medication.
If you are experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, or “stop breathing” episodes in your sleep, talk to your primary care provider about it! Quality sleep is essential to your health.
