Sleep Lab & Snoring
Sleep is a key element in the health and wellness of an individual. At Davis ENT, we understand and value sleep as a vital part of overall health. Our sleep care and sleep lab help us cultivate unbelievable sleep again for our clients.
Common Sleep Problems
A handful of common problems that we see when a client is struggling with sleep disorders include:
High Blood Pressure
Heart Attack
Heart Failure
Stroke
Psychiatric problems (i.e. depression, mood swings, etc)
Mental impairment/memory loss
Decrease in Libido
Snoring - Why It Could Be A Problem
Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. In some cases the sound may be soft, but in other cases, it can be loud and unpleasant. Snoring during sleep may be a sign, or first alarm, of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Loud, chronic snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, including nasal congestion or blockage, large tonsils, a long uvula or a large tongue. Snoring can also be a sign of a serious medical condition called obstructive sleep apnea.
Whether you’re seeking help for the first time or have tried other snoring treatments without success, Dr. Davis offers the specialized expertise you need to achieve lasting relief.
Dr. Davis starts by performing a thorough evaluation and discussing your symptoms and concerns. Dr. Davis may recommend a sleep study during which your overnight sleep patterns will be thoroughly monitored and analyzed. The goal is to examine all possible causes of your snoring and pinpoint the best solution.
Do YOU Have A Sleep Disorder?
How can YOU know if you have a sleep disorder? If you answer “yes” to two or more of these questions, you might be dealing with a sleep disorder.
Do you often watch the late show because you can’t fall asleep?
Do you frequently wake up during the night?
Are you often cranky, or do you have trouble thinking clearly at work?
Are you experiencing high levels of stress in your life?
Do you snore?
Are you frequently tired throughout the day?
Are you overweight?
Do you wake up with morning headaches or with exhaustion?
Do you wake up choking, gasping for air, or having a skipping heartbeat throughout the night?
Have you fallen asleep while reading, sitting, watching TV, or driving?
If you answered yes to two or more of those questions, give us a call. Our experts would love to help diagnose and treat your sleep issues.
Sleep Apnea Explained
A U.S. study estimates that roughly one in every 15 Americans is affected by at least a moderate degree of sleep apnea. Dr. Davis sees many patients who suffer from sleep apnea but have never been properly diagnosed.
Sleep apnea occurs when your snoring is interrupted by moments of obstructed breathing. If not treated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as stroke and heart attack. It can also impair your job performance and put you at greater risk for auto accidents.
Snorers who suffer from sleep apnea don't achieve a deep sleep pattern because a free, uninterrupted flow of oxygen can't reach their brain. The tension of constant tightening of the muscles in response to lack of oxygen prevents deep sleep levels, causing the snorer to feel tired throughout the day. Snorers with sleep apnea often feel drowsy during sedentary activities such as reading or driving.
Our Sleep Studies
Our sleep studies can be an important step to identify whether your snoring problem is minor or should be treated right away. Dr. Davis, a board-certified sleep physician, will interpret the findings, identify the correct diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options.
If Dr. Davis determines that you need a sleep study, he will refer you to their accredited sleep lab where you will stay overnight in a comfortable, private room. As you sleep, a technician in a separate room will monitor and record a complete profile of your sleep patterns, including your breathing, heart rate and rhythm, oxygen levels and movement patterns. This information is collected from sensors that are applied to your skin at various locations.
The sensors are comfortable and allow easy movement.
Once this information is collected and analyzed at the sleep lab, Dr. Davis will review the results and use them to determine the most appropriate treatment to resolve your snoring problem.
Sleep Lab Testing Services
Our state-of-the-art sleep lab allows us to conduct several different sleep studies, each designed to help diagnose a client's root issue of their sleep problems. These are the four common sleep studies that we conduct.
Polysomnography
Also called a sleep study, is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. A sleep study records your brain waves, the oxygen level in your blood, heart rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements during the study.
Titration Study
This is a type of in lab sleep study where a machine (CPAP or Bi-Level) is used to calibrate external airway pressure to a level that prevents sleep apnea (when you stop breathing while sleeping).
MSLT
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a daytime sleep study consisting of four to five short naps of approximately 20 minutes each at two-hour intervals. The MSLT is commonly used to assist in the diagnosis of narcolepsy.
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) is a daytime sleep study in which the patient is given several opportunities to remain awake while in a relaxed, dark environment. This test evaluates how easy a patient can stay awake.