Breathing disorders during sleep may cause or be the result of other serious health problems. The Sleep Disorders Centers at Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and the Sleep Disorders Laboratory at Providence Milwaukie Hospital can give diagnostic help to people suffering from breathing disorders during sleep as well as other sleep disorders. The centers can help determine causes of excess daytime sleepiness and offer treatment for those who can't breathe properly during sleep.
Many people have sleep apnea (literally, breathing cessation during sleep) and don't realize it. Often it is a bed partner, family member or friend who notices the signs of sleep apnea. Many people don't understand that sleep apnea may lead to a number of medical problems if left untreated. Research has show that people with sleep apnea may experience:
Extremely loud, heavy snoring often interrupted by pauses and gasps
Daytime sleepiness, sometimes leading to falling asleep at work, while driving or during conversation
Decreased daytime alertness, loss of energy or constant fatigue
Irritability, short temper
Morning headaches
Irregular heartbeat during sleep
Forgetfulness
Change in mood or behavior
Decreased interest in sex
Impaired on-the-job performance
Increased rate of accidents when driving or operating equipment
Heart abnormalities or hypertension
Fortunately, most people can be helped once their condition is diagnosed.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The Sleep Disorders Centers and Sleep Disorders Laboratory will provide referring physicians with the information for a definitive diagnosis of their patient's sleep disorder, and assist in the development of an optimal treatment program.
Patients who are appropriate for referral include individuals who have had chronic (longer than six weeks) problems with persistent snoring or suspected sleep apnea, and those with excessive daytime sleepiness.
After referral from a physician, the patient spends a night in one of our Sleep Disorder Centers or the Sleep Disorders Laboratory. Sleep technologists monitor and record the patient’s heart rates and rhythm, brain waves, muscle and eye movement, abdominal and chest movement, oxygen saturation, and airflow from the nose and mouth. By analyzing this data, our specialists can accurately diagnose the sleep disorder and can offer appropriate and effective treatment.
The Sleep Disorders Centers
Our Sleep Disorders Centers at Providence Portland Medical Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center utilize several diagnostic tests including
Nocturnal polysomnograms
Multiple sleep latency testing
Maintenance of wakefulness testing
These tests can be used to evaluate the efficacy of treatment utilizing nasal CPAP or BiPAP (positive airway pressure mask treatment for sleep apnea) and to diagnose the following conditions:
Sleep apnea (central or obstructive),
Nocturnal myoclonus
Periodic limb movement disorders
Narcolepsy
Parasomnias
All testing is done in accordance with standards established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Providence Portland Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center has been accredited by the AASM as a Laboratory since 1988 and as a Center since January 2000. Providence St. Vincent Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center has been accredited as a Center since July 1999. The sleep disorder centers' services are covered by Medicare and most major medical insurers.
The Sleep Disorders Laboratory
The Sleep Disorders Laboratory at Providence Milwaukie Hospital has been in operation since fall 2001. Its staff performs nocturnal polysomnograms to diagnose sleep apnea (central or obstructive) and nocturnal myoclonus, and evaluate the efficacy of treatment utilizing nasal CPAP or BiPAP.
Medicare and most major medical insurers cover these services.
How to reach us
Appointments require a physician's referral. The hours for scheduling are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For information or to refer a patient, call:
Providence Portland Medical Center, 503-215-6552
Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, 503-216-2010
Providence Milwaukie Hospital, 503-513-8383
Providence Newberg Medical Center, 503-537-5963
Providence Hood River Medical Center, 541-387-6155
