It's All in a Good Night's Sleep

With more than 100 million Americans suffering from a poor night's sleep, it's not surprising that so many people turn to their physician for help. After all, a good night's sleep can affect an individual's overall health as well as job performance and personal relationships.

Helping to identify and treat sleep disorders is the purpose of the Atlanta Center for Sleep Disorders at Atlanta Medical Center. The sleep center treats individuals who suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty in falling and staying asleep or other medical problems that may occur or worsen during sleep.

Children Can Benefit from Testing

The problem is not limited to adults. Often children who experience bed-wetting, night terrors or other sleep-related problems come to the Center for help. Children with sleep problems often experience learning difficulties, slow growth and hyperactivity.

"Medical causes of sleep problems that we associate with adults also may occur in children and adolescents," says Dr. Francis B. Buda, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Atlanta Center for Sleep Disorders.

"These problems are fairly easy to treat once they're identified, and you can produce a very remarkable change in a child's life," he said.

In addition to Dr. Buda, physicians affiliated with the Center include Robert A. Schnapper, M.D., and Jonne B. Walter, M.D., specialists in neurology and pulmonary medicine. The multidisciplinary staff has more than 50 years of combined experience in sleep disorders medicine.

What to Expect

Contacting the Atlanta Center for Sleep Disorders is the first step. While most patients are referred by their primary care physician, patients may contact the center directly by calling (404) 265-3722. A sleep questionnaire is sent to the patient after a consultation is scheduled. The patient may complete a sleep log to aid in the evaluation.

Following an initial consultation, testing is scheduled. Common disorders that the staff may test for include:

• Sleep apnea - when breathing stops for at least 10 seconds
• Narcolepsy - frequent attacks of drowsiness and sleepiness
• Insomnia - an inability to initiate or maintain sleep
• Periodic limb movements - twitching in the legs and sometimes arms in the night
• Parasomnias - disorders that include sleep walking (somnabulism), bed wetting (enuresis), teeth grinding (bruxism), night terrors and more
  

Types of Testing

Sleeps disorders are tested through several methods.

A sleep study or Nocturnal Polysomnogram is an overnight test that simultaneously measures brain waves, eye movements, muscle tension at the chin and lower legs, heart rate and rhythm, percentage of oxygen in the blood, oral/nasal airflow and chest and abdominal wall movement during sleep. The test occurs at Atlanta Medical Center in a home-like setting that begins around an individual's normal bedtime. It takes about 10 hours.

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) measures daytime sleepiness and consists of five 20-minute naps throughout the day following a sleep study. The patient must remain awake for two hours between naps.

The Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Study or Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (Bi-PAP) Study is an in-home treatment for the symptoms of sleep apnea. Air blown into the upper airway via a nasal mask produces a minimal amount of pressure to keep the airway open and eliminate periods of apnea. This noninvasive treatment requires one night of study to determine the appropriate amount of pressure that will eliminate the apnea and snoring.

The Center maintains computerized sleep equipment that allows for data acquisition and date review or interpretation to occur simultaneously. Reports are turned around rapidly, allowing for a quick treatment program.

For individuals suffering from sleep problems or their loved ones, a better night's sleep may simply be a phone call away. Please call Atlanta Medical Center at (404) 265-3722 for more information.


Good Sleeping Tips from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine

• Get up about the same time every day.
• Go to bed only when sleepy.
• Establish relaxing pre-sleep rituals such as a warm bath, light bedtime snack or 10 minutes of reading.
• Exercise regularly. Get vigorous exercise in the late afternoon, at least 6 hours prior to bedtime and mild exercise, such as simple stretching or walking, at least 4 hours prior to bedtime.
• Keep a regular schedule. Regular times for eating meals, taking medication, performing chores and other activities help keep our inner clocks running smoothly.
• Avoid caffeine within six hours of bedtime and don't drink alcohol, especially when you are sleepy. Even a small dose of alcohol when you are tired can have a potent effect. Do not smoke before bedtime.
• Try to nap at the same time every day. Mid-afternoon is best for most people.
• Use sleeping pills conservatively. Most doctors seldom prescribe the use of sleeping pills for more than three weeks. Do not take sleeping pills after drinking alcohol.

Click Here to view our Sleep Center Brochure.