Sleep Center

Are you having trouble sleeping?

You're not alone. More than 130 million Americans suffer from sleep problems, and an estimated 40 million of those are suffering from a sleep disorder. Unfortunately most of those go undiagnosed and untreated.

If you have a sleep disorder you may experience problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties staying awake or adhering to a consistent sleep/wake cycle, sleepwalking, bedwetting, and nightmares. Sleep apnea, a momentary pause in breathing while sleeping, is among the most common disorders. It can interrupt sleep hundreds of times a night.

The good news is most sleep disorders can be treated but only if recognized and properly diagnosed. Westlake Sleep Center is a specialized facility providing accurate diagnosis and treatment of sleep related problems.

Effects of sleep apnea on health

Sleep apnea has serious health consequences and can even be life-threatening. The main effects of sleep apnea are sleep deprivation and oxygen deprivation.

Sleep deprivation

Sleep deprivation effects the person with sleep apnea and the bed partner. Frequent waking, whether remembered or not, causes fitful sleep and prohibits therapeutic rest. A bed partner may lose an hour or more of sleep each night from sleeping next to a person with sleep apnea.  Along with the apnea episodes, side effects like excessive sweating and a frequent need to urinate can disrupt sleep.

Often, a person with sleep apnea will wake up feeling like they have not slept or may have difficulty staying awake during the day.  Some trickle-down effects of sleep deprivation include a compromised immune system, poor mental and emotional health, and irritability.

Oxygen deprivation

When you stop breathing, your brain does not get enough oxygen.  Serious problems can result from the oxygen deprivation of sleep apnea, including heart disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and learning/memory problems.

Depression and sleep apnea

Approximately one in five people who suffer from depression also suffer from sleep apnea, and people with sleep apnea are five times more likely to become depressed. While it is not clear whether the apnea causes the depression or vice-versa, studies show that by treating sleep apnea symptoms, depression may be alleviated in some people.

Symptoms of potential sleep disorders include:

• Constant drowsiness
• Irritability
• Loud or irregular snoring
• Difficulty breathing during sleep
• Morning headache, sore throat or mouth dryness
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep at inappropriate times and/or sudden, uncontrollable desire to sleep (narcolepsy)
• Momentary cessation of breathing while sleeping (sleep apnea)
• Bedwetting
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
• Nightmares, sleep walking, night terrors, confused state upon awakening (parasomnia)

Committed to Quality Sleep

Westlake Sleep Center offers diagnostic and clinical services to treat many sleep disorders. We conduct comprehensive sleep studies to meet the needs of each patient. During each study, a technologist will track data from state-of-the-art computer-based recording systems. Within seven business days after completion of the study, a report is available to the patient’s physician. Your sleep study will be interpreted by a board certified sleep specialist. Westlake Sleep Center is committed to providing outstanding clinical care for those with sleep disorders.

Facilities

Westlake Sleep Center is located on the first floor of building K on the campus of The Hospital at Westlake Medical Center. Our two bed facility is designed much like a comfortable bedroom. Each room provides a comfortable night’s rest with all of the amenities of home including a full-size bed and a flat screen television. The rooms and bathrooms are handicap accessible.

Sleep Testing Offered

• Polysomnogram (PSG) - An all night diagnostic study for the evaluation of sleep disorders measuring your sleep cycles and stages by recording brain waves (EEG), electrical activity of muscles, eye movement, breathing rate, blood oxygen saturation, and heart rhythm.
• CPAP/Bi-Level Titration - An all night therapeutic study to determine appropriate levels of airway pressure for the treatment of sleep related breathing disorders such as sleep apnea. This involves the use of a mask that covers the nose and/or face as well as the sensors used for the original study. Air from the mask works as a pneumatic splint to keep the airway from collapsing.
• Split Study - A combination study to diagnose and treat sleep related breathing disorders in one night if possible. Certain criteria for severity must be met.
• Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) - Includes both an all night diagnostic study and an all day series of naps. It is most commonly used to diagnose narcolepsy.
• Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) - This test is used to assess wakefulness and measures whether you can stay awake during a time when you are normally awake.  This test does not typically require a full night sleep study, but may be requested by your ordering physician.

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Referrals & Appointments

Patients requesting a sleep evaluation need a referral from a licensed physician. Each patient referral must be accompanied by a recent patient history and a physical examination. If requested, our staff physicians are available for consultation. We provide insurance approval and scheduling which is coordinated with your referring physician’s office.

To schedule an appointment please call 512-697-3712

Our Sleep Lab follows all nationally accepted standards for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and provides the highest quality of care.