MeritCare Sleep Disorders Center
North Dakota's First Comprehensive Sleep Disorders Center
Established in 1982
What is the Sleep Disorders Center?
The Sleep Disorders Center is a medical facility for diagnosing and treating patients with sleep-related disorders. These conditions include difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep or remaining awake. The most serious symptoms of sleep disorders are daytime sleepiness, nighttime chest pains, morning headaches, heavy snoring and breathing irregularities during sleep.
Our center's services are provided by professionals experienced in sleep-related disorders and sleep-exacerbated disease. Specialty consultants with certification in ENT, neurology, pediatrics, pulmonary medicine, psychiatry and psychology are always available.
History
The sleep research of the 1950s and the 1960s led to the establishment of The Association of Sleep Disorders Center in 1976. A new field in medicine was born. The Sleep Disorders Center began in 1982 as a referral source for physicians. In November 1984, the first all night sleep study was done. This made the Sleep Disorders Center the first full-service sleep center in this region.
What Happens During A Typical Recording Period?
Most patients, whether hospitalized or outpatients, are recorded during their normal bedtime to simulate an average sleep period as closely as possible. Upon arriving at the Sleep Disorders Center, patients are greeted by the polysomnographic technologist. Patient questions related to the nature of the test are answered, a brief pre-sleep questionnaire is completed, and recording electrodes are applied.
The patient then retires in an individual soundproof and climate-controlled bedroom. The polysomnographic technologist monitors the patient's sleep in the Control Room; the technologist is continuously available should a patient require assistance.
Upon completion of the overnight recordings, electrodes are removed and a brief post-sleep questionnaire is completed. Patients usually are ready to leave the Sleep Disorders Center around 9 a.m. On occasion, further tests are run the following day.
Common Sleep Disturbances
Sleep Apnea and Snoring
Snoring is not always just a normal annoying occurrence. If snoring is light, it may not represent a health problem. However, heavy snoring may be a symptom of a serious sleep disorder called sleep apnea.
People with sleep apnea stop breathing many times during sleep. These apneas last 10 to 90 seconds and may occur several hundred times a night. The symptoms of sleep apnea are excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure and heavy snoring.
Narcolepsy
People who are too sleepy during the day and feel muscular weakness when they are angry, surprised or amused may have narcolepsy. Sometimes narcoleptics experience terrifying dreams or hallucinations just as they fall asleep. Narcolepsy often emerges in young adulthood and is a lifelong medical disorder. For more information about
Narcolepsy, visit the meritcare.com health library.
Insomnia
Insomnia is a symptom that may be caused by many conditions. Some of them are psychological (chronic depression or temporary stress), environmental (noise) or physiological (chronic breathing disorder or temporary pain). Another common cause of insomnia is misuse and overuse of sleeping pills. For more information about
insomnia and
sleep problems, vist the meritcare.com health library.
Nocturnal Myoclonus
People who have periodic leg movements (nocturnal myoclonus) during sleep may not get proper rest and feel they have either insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
Nightmares and Night Terrors
Nightmares are frightening dream experiences which can later be recalled. These may occur at any age.
Night terrors are often accompanied by an anguished scream, yet the person seldom recalls the experience. Night terrors generally disappear after adolescence.
The causes of nightmares and night terrors can vary. Frequent episodes deserve evaluation.
Body Clocks
The brain has clocks which time when we should get up, sleep, eat, etc. Jet lag and shift work can disturb normal bodily functions. If the internal clocks are out of order, physical and/or mental well-being is affected.
What Can Be Done About A Sleep Disorder?
Most of the disorders mentioned can be effectively treated once they have been accurately diagnosed. Some conditions require medication. Others may require a change in daily habits and work schedule.
When sleep apnea is present, weight loss, nasal CPAP, or for those patients who require it, an upper airway operation, may be necessary to diminish the serious health risks.
It is important to emphasize that correct treatment can be undertaken only after the real medical condition has been accurately diagnosed.
Treatment and Management
The medical staff reviews each case in detail and arrives at an optimal plan for further evaluation and/or management of the patient. Individualized management can appreciably improve disturbed sleep-wake functions.
The referring physician will receive a full account of the patient's diagnosis and the recommended plan of management as soon as they are determined.
Scheduling
Upon arranging a consultation with the physician, an extensive questionnaire is sent out to each patient and the bed partner to complete. These questionnaires are to be returned with the patient at the time of their consultation.
Patients can arrange a consultation by calling (701) 280-4600 or 1-800-437-4010 (ask for the Sleep Center), Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
All patients are required to have their primary physician refer them to the Sleep Disorders Center.