By Annette Pinder
More than 70 million Americans suffer from some form of sleep disorder and its impact is far greater than just for the sufferer. Sleep deprivation has resulted in accidents like the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Challenger space shuttle disaster and, more recently, the crash of Flight 3407 in Buffalo. And, according to Harvard Medical School, the leading cause of fatal truck crashes is fatigue.
If you have insomnia, sleep apnea, or narcolepsy, sometimes it takes more than just your doctor to investigate. That’s where a sleep center can help. Physicians there are specially trained to find answers. Dr. Kenneth Murray, Director of Buffalo’s DENT Neurologic Sleep Center says, “It’s important to be evaluated at a sleep center if you have symptoms like daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, restless sleep, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, sleep walking, or any one of more than 85 sleep disorders.”
Sleep centers employ a variety of tools to diagnose sleep problems. One of the most frequent is polysomnography, also known as a sleep study. These measure sleep cycles and stages to diagnose possible disorders. Air flow, blood oxygen levels, body position, EEG, breathing rate, muscle activity, eye movement and heart rate are recorded and analyzed.
Accommodations are similar to what you would experience at a fine hotel since comfort is important. A trained polysomnographic technician places electrodes on the chin, scalp, and outer edge of the eyelids. These remain in place while the subject sleeps. Monitors to record heart rate and breathing are attached to the chest, and the technician observes and notes changes in breathing or heart rate. Signals will be recorded, along with the time it takes to fall asleep and experience the REM, or deep sleep, phase. The number of times breathing stops, or almost stops will also be measured.
Occasionally, portable sleep study devices can be used in the home instead of at a sleep center to help diagnose sleep apnea, but these devices are typically not used until the subject has been evaluated by the medical team.
When the data is finalized, the doctor also reviews the study and any other important details. For example, Dr. Murray looks at findings such as history and physical exam to make a proper diagnosis and decide on treatment. He says the good news is that sleep disorders can be diagnosed and treated, and most all of his patients enjoy greatly improved quality of life when normal sleep patterns are restored.
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DENT Sleep Center has a fully equipped diagnostic laboratory, including 10 private suites. Board certified sleep specialists at DENT diagnose and treat sleep problems in patients age 7 and up. Sleep center labs are located in Amherst and Orchard Park, but patient offices are also located in Batavia and Derby. For more information or for an appointment call 250-2000 or visit www.dentinstitute.com/sleep.html.
Polysomnographic technologists, as referenced above, are also in demand. They work closely with physicians to assist in the diagnosis of sleep-related problems and provide support services to patients. Genesee Community College offers the only Polysomnographic A.A.S. Degree Program in New York. For information contact the Program Director, Marshann Thomas at 585-343-0055 x6188 or mythomas@genesee.edu. To learn more visit www.genesee.edu.
