Sleep Disorders

According to the National Institute of Health, 50 to 70 million Americans are affected by chronic sleep disorders and intermittent sleep problems.

These can significantly diminish health, alertness and safety. Untreated sleep disorders have been linked to hypertension, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Sleep problems can take many forms and can involve too little sleep, too much sleep or inadequate quality of sleep.

The Missouri Sleep Institute at CMH offers testing for all sleeping disorders in a state-of-the-art laboratory with specially trained technicians. If admitted to our sleep center, you will spend the night in our facility while sensors record your body’s functions.

For many people, sleep disorders are a chronic, nightly problem that can affect daytime behavior. Activities at work and school and relationships can be affected. A sleep disorder can make existing medical conditions worse, or lead to new medical problems. A sleep study can help diagnose sleep disorders.

Sleep Disorder Symptoms

Do you:

1. Wake up in the morning more tired than when you went to bed?
2. Have trouble concentrating?
3. Snore or gasp for air during sleep?
4. Wake up frequently during the night?
5. Experience difficulty staying awake during the daytime after a night's sleep?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you may have a sleep disorder. Please talk to your physician, who can refer you to the Missouri Sleep Institute for a sleep study.

Types of Sleep Studies

Sleep studies help to diagnose sleep disorders by recording biofeedback through electrodes attached to the body while sleeping. Two types of sleep studies are available: Home sleep studies and overnight sleep studies.

Overnight Sleep Study — The patient arrives at the Missouri Sleep Institute between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. The patient will sleep through the night while a polysomnography technologist monitors the information collected by the electrodes. The physician uses that information to determine a diagnosis. The study ends by 7 a.m.

Home Sleep Study — The patient goes to the clinic for instructions on using the machine at home. Patients use the machine while sleeping at home for one night and return the machine the next morning. The home sleep study measures three respiratory channels: The nasal channel, an ab belt and an oximeter probe.

The home sleep study will only diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. It is best used when a primary care physician strongly suspects obstructive sleep apnea.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea involves an obstruction, usually fatty tissue, in the airway. The gravity of sleeping pulls the obstruction down, partially blocking your airway. Sometimes, it blocks the airway, causing your oxygen level to drop.

The most common treatment for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The CPAP sits on a bedside table and is a machine connected to a hose with a mask. The mask goes over your airway, and the matching blows room air through your airway and splints the airway open. A variety of mask options are available, including nasal pillows for claustrophobic patients. CPAP machines, tubing and masks are available through CMH Home Medical Equipment and usually are covered by health insurance.

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