Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, narcolepsy and insomnia, prevent millions of people from having a sound sleep night after night. However, they can also pose many dangerous health threats that most people may not know about. Sleep disorders have been linked to health issues such as:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Impotence
• Respiratory Failure
• Strokes
• Fatal Heart Attacks
• Reflux disease
• Atrial Fibrillation

In addition, sleep disorders can lead to other dangers. Research shows that sleep disorders lead to 50,000 premature and preventable deaths every year and that 200,000 auto accidents per year are sleep related.

And while many sleep disorders can be diagnosed and effectively treated, 95% of all individuals with sleep disorders are undiagnosed.

Common Sleep Disorders and Symptoms

Sleep Apnea
     - Loud or irregular snoring
     - Excessive daytime sleepiness
     - Repeated nightly awakenings
     - Nightly periodic absent breathing
     - Non-refreshing sleep
     - Morning headache

Periodic Limb Movements
     - Excessive daytime sleepiness
     - Non-refreshing sleep
     - Nightly leg jerks
     - Restless sleep

Narcolepsy
     - Excessive sleepiness
     - Vivid dreaming when barely asleep
     - Sudden muscular weakness
     - Sleep when excited or angry
     - Disrupted sleep
     - Sleep paralysis

Insomnia
     - Difficulty initiating sleep or staying asleep
     - Repeated nightly awakenings 
     - Daytime fatigue
     - Restlessness

The Sleep Study
Sleep studies are a series of recordings that track several bodily functions throughout an entire night. Sensors and electrodes are strategically placed on the body to monitor brain waves, respiratory rates, oxygen levels, body position, muscle tone and heart rates and rhythms. This is a painless procedure that does not require any needles.

As with many medical proceedings, a thorough evaluation is the first step to a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. While there is sleep testing available in the sleep lab, it is not always necessary.

The Sleep Lab
If an overnight study is suggested, Salt Lake Regional Medical Center has worked hard to provide an environment that resembles a bedroom in your home. Guests will be provided with a private room and bathroom that includes wood floors and a HD television. Guests are encouraged to bring comfortable sleeping clothes and their own pillows so that falling asleep is as easy as possible.

Treatments
If you do suffer from a sleep disorder, our specialists will work with you and your results to provide a treatment plan that will lead you to a better night’s sleep. In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as weight loss or alcohol avoidance, will be recommended. In more serious cases, corrective surgery or further treatment by a sleep specialist may be necessary. There are also non-medicinal treatment options which include: light therapy, hypnotherapy, relaxation exercises, herbal treatments, behavioral modifications and conditioning exercises.

Our Specialists

Dr. Gregory Dupont is board-certified in Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Internal Medicine, and has been diagnosing and treating patients since 1992.

Dr. Jamile Woods trained at the University of Utah. She is board-certified in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care. Dr. Woods has taken care of patients with sleep disorders since 2000.

Dr. Wei Peng received his M.D., Ph.D., and completed his residency at Tongji Medical College in Wuhan, China and residency and fellowship training in pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep medicine at the University of Utah. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary disease.

For more information about our sleep services, please contact Salt Lake Regional Medical Center’s Sleep Clinic at 801-350-4451.