Sleep Medicine

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We all know that getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Unfortunately, millions of Americans don't get quality sleep. Sleep specialists at the Sleep Lab at Santa Rosa Medical Center help patients with a range of sleep disorders, which can affect overall quality of life, health and safety.

Find a sleep specialist near you.
Call (850) 626-5295

Common Types of Sleep Disorders
There are many types of sleep disorders, and they are more common than you might think. In fact, around 70 million Americans are not getting a good night's sleep. Talk to your doctor about getting specialized care if you have been diagnosed with one or more of these common sleep disorders:

• Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea is caused by disrupted breathing during sleeping hours. When symptoms of sleep apnea are left untreated, this disorder can cause high blood pressure, stroke or heart failure.
• Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty in falling asleep or remaining asleep. People who suffer from insomnia frequently wake up throughout the night, never feeling truly rested. In some cases, insomnia can be caused by another health condition, such as depression, asthma, heartburn or bodily pain from other health issues.
• Chronic snoring: Although snoring is known to be a common, harmless condition, there are certain situations in which snoring can be a serious concern requiring medical attention. In some cases, snoring causes airflow dysfunction in the nose and mouth, creating breathing interruptions, which may lead to sleep apnea or increase strain on the heart.
• Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy, also known as hypersomnia, is a medical condition characterized by falling asleep or extreme sleepiness during the day.
• Night terrors and sleep walking: Night terrors are characterized by extreme terror, fear, screaming and flailing while still asleep. Night terrors are different than nightmares in that the affected person is not able to recall a dream or any details. These incidents are much more common in children than adults.
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS): RLS is a condition that causes affected individuals to have an uncontrollable desire to move their legs. This syndrome may worsen with age, and is amplified at night or while a person is at rest. This may interfere with normal sleep patterns, and can affect a person's health and quality of life.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
Specialists at the Sleep Lab at Santa Rosa Medical Center see many people who suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep specialists are knowledgeable about the harm a sleep disorder may cause, and desire to educate people. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact the Sleep Lab at Santa Rosa Medical Center by calling (850) 626-5295.

• Snoring
• Daytime sleepiness
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Morning headaches
• Pauses in breathing during sleep
• Restless legs causing sleep to be interrupted
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Sleepwalking or night terrors

Are you at risk?
Sleep disorders can affect anyone, but certain people may be at a greater risk. Common risk factors for sleep disorders may include, but are not limited to:

• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Obesity or weight gain
• Morning headaches
• Having a large neck size (more than 17 inches in men and 16 inches in women)
• Having a family history of sleep disorders
• Having a nasal obstruction

Diagnosis and Treatment
Sleep medicine doctors and technologists in the Milton-area sleep lab are focused on restoring the overall quality of your life by addressing issues related to sleep quality. The Sleep Lab at Santa Rosa Medical Center is equipped with technology that aids in diagnosing, treating and curing sleep disorders.

With a hotel-like atmosphere, our goal is to offer a comforting and safe space where patients are treated with the utmost care as we diagnose and treat your condition.

In order to correctly diagnose and treat your condition, sleep specialists may recommend a polysomnogram (sleep study), which will relay to the physician critical information about your condition, including your oxygen levels, respiratory function, leg movements and brain activity. Results are reviewed by the medical director, and reports are provided back to the referring physician.

Schedule with a Sleep Specialist in Milton
If you are experiencing any symptoms of a sleep disorder, or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact the Sleep Lab at Santa Rosa Medical Center by calling (850) 626-5295.