The Sleep Disorder Treatment Center

St. Vincent Charity Hospital’s Sleep Disorder Treatment Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The Center is staffed by a highly skilled team of sleep specialists who are dedicated to working in partnership with primary care physicians to restore the health and quality of life to patients suffering from sleep disorders.

Questions? Contact us at (216) 363-3399 or via e-mail.

About Sleep Disorders

According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 70 million Americans suffer from disorders of sleep and wakefulness — of that, nearly 60 percent have a chronic disorder. Defined as a physiological condition that causes disruptive sleep patterns, sleep disorders inhibit an individual’s mental and physical performance and can seriously affect one’s health and quality of life. Sleep disorders can range in severity from snoring and restlessness, to gastro-esophageal reflux, to sleep apnea.

The Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment

Sleep disorders can seriously interfere with one’s overall emotional or physical health, often leading to depression, reduced concentration, and impaired memory and judgment. The extreme fatigue caused by sleep disorders can inhibit an individual’s job performance and social skills, as well as increase the risk of car- and work-related accidents. Lack of quality sleep also lowers the body’s ability to resist and fight illnesses. As a result, the sleep-deprived person is often sick.

Common Sleep Disorders

To date, sleep researchers have identified more than 80 different types of sleep disorders. The most prevalent are:

• Sleep Apnea
• Snoring
• Periodic Limb Movement
• Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease
• Narcolepsy
• Insomnia
• Fibromyalgia
• Parasomnias
• Circadian Rhythms

When to Seek Help

Patients should seek help from a sleep specialist if sleep problems persist for more than one month, despite prescription use. If the quality of a person’s life is impaired due to chronic fatigue, memory loss, confusion or irritability — or if dangerous symptoms occur, including sleepwalking or falling asleep while driving or at other inappropriate times — referral to a sleep specialist is highly recommended.

Using a Sleep Study to Diagnose Sleep Disorders

Prior to seeking a diagnosis, physicians should take a medical and sleep history, and conduct a physical examination. The physician must then determine whether an overnight sleep study is needed to conclusively diagnose the problem.

What Happens During A Sleep Study?

Sleep studies are conducted by a sleep specialist during a patient’s normal bedtime hours. Patients usually arrive around 9:00 p.m. and leave the next morning. During the study, patients sleep in private rooms while being monitored. Electrodes are placed on the surface of the scalp, face, chest and lower legs to monitor respiration, brain waves, eye movements, and heart and muscle activity. Since X-ray, medications and injections are unnecessary for this painless procedure, patients’ daily activities will continue without interruption. Patients diagnosed with sleep apnea may be required to spend a second night at the Center.

Treatment Recommendations

After the sleep study, referring physicians will receive a report explaining our diagnosis and recommending treatment options consistent with the type of sleep disorder. Treatments can include medication, lifestyle changes, weight loss, laser therapy, dental appliances, light therapy, ENT surgery, airway pressure appliances and internal body clock adjustments.

The Sleep Disorder Treatment Center
St. Vincent Charity Hospital
2351 East 22nd Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 363-3399