Insomnia

Perhaps the most common sleep disorder, insomnia affects your ability to fall and stay asleep. There are many potential causes, ranging from stress and caffeine consumption to an array of medical and mental health conditions. Your care team will work with you to determine and address the cause of your insomnia so you can get the rest you need.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a chronic condition that causes extreme drowsiness during the day. People with narcolepsy fall asleep unexpectedly. They may also experience loss of muscle control (causing weakness or slurred speech) or hallucinations. While there is not yet a cure, the right treatment can help you manage your symptoms and minimize their impact on your routine.

Snoring & sleep apnea

Loud snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition that interrupts breathing during sleep. Long-term, sleep apnea can increase your risk of developing a heart, liver or metabolic condition, so it’s important to get help if you suspect you may have it. Your care team will determine whether your snoring indicates sleep apnea and help you address them.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome causes the overwhelming urge to move your legs, usually due to an aching, “creeping” or itching sensation. If your symptoms prevent you from getting enough sleep, a Novant Health sleep specialist can help you find relief. Many people with RLS can reduce symptoms with medication, lifestyle changes or a combination of the two.

If your provider is unable to make a diagnosis based on information you provide about your sleep habits, he or she may refer you for a sleep study. This type of evaluation can provide a detailed picture of your sleep patterns.

What is a sleep study?

A sleep study, or polysomnography, is an overnight test that allows our experts to monitor your sleep stages and cycles. The overnight observation is done in a private room at one of our sleep centers.

What happens during a sleep study?

This study provides a noninvasive, painless evaluation of your sleep. Measurements taken while you sleep include brain activity, sleep duration, airflow, eye movements, breathing efforts, leg movements, muscle tone, heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

Other sleep tests

During the sleep study, your care team may conduct several additional tests, such as a multiple sleep latency test. This test measures the severity of daytime sleepiness using a series of five, 20-minute naps given every two hours throughout the day. Another test is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). If the initial sleep study suggests a significant breathing disorder, CPAP is sometimes used to treat the disorder. CPAP is a method of delivering the necessary air pressure through a nasal mask, which maintains an open airway during sleep.