About Sleep Medicine at USA Health
Our sleep medicine team specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, sleepwalking and restless leg syndrome.
Insomnia
Patients with insomnia have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Insomnia may result from medical, psychological or environmental causes. Treatment can include behavioral therapy, medication and environmental modification.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. Patients with narcolepsy often experience excessive daytime sleepiness and cannot keep themselves from falling asleep during the day. Treatment commonly involves medication and lifestyle modification.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless leg syndrome results from an irresistible urge to move your legs and sometimes arms, often during sleep. Treatment can include lifestyle changes, massage therapy, heat therapy and medication.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when you stop breathing while asleep. There are three kinds of apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, happens when the airway is blocked by excess tissue. Central sleep apnea, or CSA, is a central nervous disorder associated with brain injury or heart failure. Mixed apnea is diagnosed when patients show signs of both CSA and OSA.
Sleepwalking
Sleepwalking, also called somnambulism, occurs when patients walk or engage in other activities while appearing to be asleep. Stress, illness and psychological conditions can cause sleepwalking. Treatments include medication and behavioral therapy.
Sleep disorders are usually diagnosed through sleep studies conducted overnight. During a sleep study, a technician connects sensors to your body that measure breathing, eye movement, muscle activity, brain activity, heart rate and blood oxygen level. You go to sleep just as you would at home, sleep through the night, and go home in the morning. Sedation is available for patients who think they might not sleep well in an unfamiliar location. Following each study, our specialist reviews the results and discusses them with you.
