Center for Sleep Studies

Sleep restores our bodies and minds. Without sleep, we may suffer:

• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Depression
• Reduced attention, concentration and memory
• More frequent illness
• Lost productivity
• Workplace mishaps or car crashes (from falling asleep on the job or at the wheel)

What Are Sleep Disorders?

A sleep disorder is a disruptive pattern of sleep that may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, excessive total sleep time or abnormal behaviors associated with (sleep walking, sleep terrors).

Three common sleep disorders are:

1. Sleep apnea – when a person stops breathing and then starts breathing again many times each night.
2. Narcolepsy – when a person falls asleep suddenly many times each day.
3. Chronic insomnia – when a person has trouble falling asleep night after night.

It is estimated that 30% of the population suffers from some type of sleep disorder. Although there are over 80 different sleep disorders, only three make up 90% of referrals to a sleep studies program.

Sleep apnea is the most common sleep disorder. It is found in people of all ages, affecting nearly 7% of the overall population. This incidence is equal to that of asthma and diabetes. 20% of men between the ages of 25 and 55 experience some sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea typically stop breathing 100-300 times per night. Repeated pauses in breathing prevent rested sleep, leading to problems staying awake while driving or on the job.

Studies have shown that 40% of people who take four or more medications for high blood pressure have undiagnosed sleep apnea. Also, the incidence of heart attack and stroke may be increased in the person with untreated sleep apnea.

Anyone Can Have Sleep Apnea

But, it’s more common among:

• Males
• People who are overweight
• People who are middle-aged or older
• Even if you aren’t in one of these categories, you may have sleep apnea. There are common symptoms that you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

Take This Quiz to See If You Might Have Sleep Apnea

(Ask your partner, family members, housemate, etc., to help you answer questions 1 and 2.)

1. Do you usually snore loudly?
2. Is your snoring interrupted by silence followed by a gasp or snort?
3. Do you ever fall asleep or almost fall asleep while driving or other waking hours?
4. Do you regularly have trouble concentrating or remembering?
5. Are you experiencing mood or behavior changes?
6. Do you often wake up with a headache?
7. Has your interest in sex declined?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, talk to your healthcare provider. Your symptom(s) may be from sleep apnea or some other problem. Either way, medical attention is important.

Note: This brief quiz is not a substitute for proper diagnosis by a qualified healthcare provider.

Contact Us

For more information, please call (863) 402-1577 or fax (863) 402-1014. We are located at 4301 Sun ‘n Lake Boulevard, Sebring, FL 33872.