Galesburg Cottage Hospital Sleep Diagnostic Lab is used for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Treatment is available for sleep disorders. If you think you may suffer from a sleep disorder, please contact your physician.

Do you, your spouse or your child…

have a problem with snoring?
hold your breath while sleeping?
have high blood pressure?
have a weight problem?
have a neck size greater than 17?
have heavy night sweats?
wake up coughing or gasping for air?
struggle staying awake during the day?
get morning headaches?
fall asleep while driving?
experience frequent sore throats?
kick or jerk at night?
experience leg pain or cramps at night?
suffer from depression or a personality change?
have a diminished sex drive?
have attention deficit disorder?

These are just a few warning signs of a possible sleep disorder.

A Good Night's Rest

Most people need at least six to nine hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, many people don't get the sleep they need. The National Sleep Foundation reports that 40 percent of Americans report feeling so sleepy during the day that it interferes with their activities.

Lack of sleep doesn't just make you irritable—it impairs your ability to think, make decisions and be creative. Prolonged lack of sleep can lead to significant physical problems, such as heart disease and hypertension. Sleepy drivers also cause more than 100,000 accidents per year.

If you have problems getting the rest you need, try these tips for improving sleep:

stop all caffeine by early afternoon
don't smoke, as nicotine in tobacco may keep you awake
keep bedroom cool and dark
do not eat or drink heavily for 3 hours before bedtime
Keep regular bedtime and awakening hours
exercise regularly, but no later than 4 hours before bed
learn to wind down prior to sleep
limit naps to less than 30 minutes

If you still have problems with sleep, see your doctor. A sleep disorder could be the cause.

Common Sleep Disorders

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

People with sleep apnea stop breathing periodically during sleep for as long as 90 seconds. Breathing may stop up to a hundred times a night. Symptoms of sleep apnea are heavy snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, nighttime gasping and choking, personality changes, impotency and morning headaches. This sleep disorder can contribute to high blood pressure and heart disease. Common problems for children with sleep apnea are bedwetting, learning disabilities such as attention deficit disorder (ADD) and behavior problems.

Insomnia

This problem is characterized by the inability to sleep and may be caused by stress, physical pain, chronic depression, misuse of sleeping pills and irregular breathing.

Narcolepsy

People suffering with this sleep disorder fall asleep unexpectedly and at any time. Muscular weakness and terrifying dreams often accompany narcolepsy.

Some other sleep problems include restless leg syndrome, sleepwalking, problems adjusting to shift work, body clock disorder and age-related changes in sleeping patterns.

Relief from Sleep Disorders

At the Galesburg Cottage Hospital Sleep Diagnostic Lab, our medical team can diagnose and treat sleep problems.

If you think you might have a sleep disorder, first consult with your primary care physician, who will take a medical history and may do a physical exam. In some cases, your bed partner will also be interviewed. If necessary, a sleep study is done.

A sleep study is performed during your normal sleep hours. A quiet, comfortable room free of distractions is provided. Before you go to sleep, electrodes are attached to your face, scalp, chest and legs to monitor brain, nerve and muscle activity. Breathing patterns and eye movements are also monitored.

All of the information from the study is evaluated by a physician trained in sleep disorders. The physician will be able to diagnose a disorder and recommend treatment.

The diagnosis and treatment costs of most sleep disorders are covered by medical insurance. Call your health insurance company if you have questions regarding coverage.

If you believe that either you, your spouse or your child suffers from a sleep disorder, consult your physician.