In Search of a Good Night's Sleep
Most of us have
been plagued with a poor night's sleep at one time or another,
but chronic sleep disorders affect more of us than you might
think. More than 20 million Americans are estimated to suffer
from sleep disorders--some with serious consequences.
Sleep disorders have been linked tohigh blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, depression and accidents. Insufficient sleep in children can stunt growth, slow hormone secretion and impair academic abilities.
"Patients are often unaware that they have a sleep disorder," said Bruce Abbott, MD, director of the St. Luke's Hospital Sleep Clinic. "They are prompted to see a doctor by a bed partner who is kept awake or a coworker who notices sleepiness on the job."
St. Luke's houses a four-bed sleep laboratory dedicated to helping those who have difficulty with sleep. Six nights each week, anywhere from two to four patients are hooked up to a variety of machines that record brainwaves, eye movement, jaw tension, breathing effort, leg movement and cardiac function in an attempt to diagnose and treat people suspected of having sleep disorders.
"We see mostly sleep apnea here, but we also get people with narcolepsy, insomnia, restless legs syndrome and many other disorders," said Madeline Luis, RPT, a registered polysomnographic technician at the Sleep Lab.
Their causes can be just as wide ranging and may include anything from allergies to obesity to iron deficiency.
If you suspect (or someone close to you suggests) that you have a sleep disorder, talk to your primary care physician about it. Depending upon the nature of the problem, your physician may refer you to an otorhinolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), neurologist or pulmonary physician.
"With proper diagnosis and treatment, you could be on your way to a better night's rest and better days," Dr. Abbott said.