The Sleep Disorders Center
at Hunterdon Medical Center provides a state-of-the-art program for monitoring, evaluating and diagnosing sleep disorders in individuals 16 and over. The Center was recently ranked number one in the country in Patient Satisfaction, according to Press, Ganey, a national patient satisfaction survey tool.
Up to 30% of the general population suffers from insomnia, and half of this group experiences the problem as serious. Up to 90% of older people report some type of sleep difficulty. And drowsiness at the wheel may account for 30% of fatal driving accidents.
Snoring can be more than just an annoying habit, it could be a symptom of sleep apnea, which can pose a serious health risk.
People with sleep apnea experience an obstruction in the throat during sleep. Lack of sufficient air causes the individual to awaken, usually with a cough ora gasp that opens the airway Airflow is re-established and breathing resumes until the next episode. People with sleep apnea have to wake up briefly to breathe, sometimes hundreds of times during the night, although there is usually no memory of these brief awakenings. The risks of undiagnosed sleep apnea include heart attack, stroke, impotence, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, it can cause daytime sleepiness that can result in accidents, lost productivity and interpersonal relationship problems.
Patients at the Sleep Disorders Center first complete a detailed questionnaire about their sleep habits, then undergo a clinical evaluation with a physician who specializes in sleep disorders. If the doctor determines the patient is at risk for a sleep disorder, a sleep study, called a polysomnogram is ordered.
Patients spend the night in the Sleep Disorders Center, which is outfitted with all the comforts of a home bedroom. A technologist monitors oxygen levels, heart rate and rhythm, breathing, body movements, air flow and brain wave activity, all of which indicate sleep quality. If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, the Center will contact the patient and the physician to determine treatment options, many of which are non-surgical and non-invasive procedures.
The Sleep Disorders Center monitors, evaluates and treats sleep disorders in adults, including:
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Air flow is blocked in the upper airway. Lack of sufficient air causes the individual to awaken, usually with a cough or a gasp that opens the airway. Airflow is reestablished and breathing resumes until the next episode.
- Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep: Those with this disorder are awakened repeatedly by multiple thrashing movements, typically of the legs.
- Narcolepsy: This genetic sleep disorder is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. Individuals fall asleep at inappropriate and, occasionally, dangerous times.
- Insomnia: While frequently due to anxiety or stress, insomnia may occasionally reflect a sleep disorder. A physician can determine whether testing for a sleep disorder is necessary.
For more information call Hunterdon Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center at (908) 788-6392.
Request a brochure about the Sleep Disorders Center