Sleep Disorders Lab
We currently have two, beautifully appointed and very comfortable rooms to accommodate our sleep study guests. Both rooms have all the comforts of home including private bathroom, and television.
Welcome to Pinehurst Neurology Sleep Disorder Lab
Pinehurst Neurology established our Sleep Medicine Program in response to the increasing awareness of sleep-related disorders and consequent demand for expert diagnosis and treatment. Backed by resources, expertise of the practice, and our state-of-the-art facility, the Sleep Medicine Program is a comprehensive, full-service clinical facility providing unsurpassed capabilities.
Our staff is highly qualified and specially trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders. We offer two fully capable sleep labs rooms for our patients’ convenience.
Operating with the latest and most advanced technology for the diagnosis of sleep disorders, our Sleep Medicine Program can provide patients with the best possible care in a relaxed environment. Unlike the majority of other sleep clinics, our Sleep Medicine Program isn't located within a hospital complex, making the location more accessible and convenient for patients. The rooms are furnished with patient comfort in mind, featuring regular beds instead of hospital beds and a pleasant atmosphere that looks and feels as much like home as possible. This setting provides a more favorable environment for conducting a sleep study, the most common procedure for evaluating and classifying sleep disorders.
Common Sleep Disorders
There are over eighty different conditions that fall within the category of Sleep Disorders; too little sleep, too much sleep or disturbed sleep are all signs of a sleep disorder. Excessive snoring should not be ignored, as that too can be indicative of a more serious problem. The most common sleep disorders include
Insomnia, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy.
Insomnia
Virtually every person has experienced occasional bouts of insomnia, trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or awakening too early, due to temporary stress or a change in sleep habits. One in three adults complain of occasional insomnia, whereas chronic insomnia has a prevalence of 10-18% in the general population. Insomnia is a symptom of many conditions, most of which can be successfully detected and treated.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
RLS can affect any age group but is more severe among the middle-aged and elderly. Patients with RLS have an unpleasant sensation deep in their legs, accompanied by a strong urge to move their legs. These symptoms are worse at rest and are relieved temporarily by movement. The disorder is most prevalent in the evening hours and manifests itself in sleep as periodic limb movements that disrupt a person's sleep without their knowledge. Spouses are more often aware of the problem than the sufferers themselves.
Sleep Apnea
Apnea, literally meaning 'no breath,' is a pause in the breathing pattern, which can last from ten seconds up to one minute. A person afflicted with Sleep Apnea may experience hundreds of breathing interruptions each night, resulting in brief awakenings. These arousals are caused by the increased effort to breath during an apnea. Due to these repeated awakenings, sufferers often complain of excessive daytime sleepiness. If left untreated, Sleep Apnea increases the risk of hypertension, heart attack and stroke. The condition occurs most often among middle aged, overweight men and post-menopausal women. Far from being a rare disorder, Sleep Apnea is as common as adult asthma, yet it is estimated that approximately 95% of cases remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone often brought on by strong emotions), hypnogogic hallucinations (extremely vivid dreams at sleep onset), and sleep paralysis. Narcolepsy sufferers transition quickly from wakefulness to dream sleep (REM), and often feel an irresistible urge to sleep. No amount of nighttime or daytime sleep produces full alertness for narcoleptics.
Sleep problems not only compromise the quality of life, but they can put individuals at greater risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, mental impairment or accident. If you feel you are at risk for a sleep disorder please contact us to schedule your sleep evaluation.