- ArthritisThere are several painful medical conditions that may contribute in distinctive ways to poorer sleep continuity and sleep depth. Notably, certain rheumatologic conditions such as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis may cause a particular brain wave (EEG) disturbance that is readily apparent during a formal sleep study (polysomnogram) performed in a sleep lab. The invasion of normal sleep brain waves by a wakeful-drowsy brain wave, a phenomenon known as “alpha intrusion”, can be a tip-off that the person studied has a pain condition of a particular type. Identification of this disorder can lead to an effective medical treatment, and the resulting sleep is more satisfying and causes a lessening of daytime pain symptoms. Individuals with fibromyalgia are known to have clinical improvement in pain symptoms if the sleep quality is improved.
- FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia, a multiple system syndrome involving soft tissue pain, irritable bowel symptoms, depression and fatigue, is much more common in women than men by a ratio of 7 to 1. The syndrome has come to be regarded as a legitimate rheumatologic condition. Part of what has established its legitimacy is the discovery of a bona fide brain wave (EEG) abnormality interrupting the sleep of many persons with fibromyalgia. This EEG pattern lessens the effectiveness of the sleep and results in a generalized feeling of fatigue in the fibromyalgia sufferer during the day. Treatment of the sleep helps the fibromyagia symptoms and vice versa: less pain means better sleep.
- Medical Weight LossWeight reduction is an effective therapy for many persons with OSA, particularly for obese persons. The amount of weight reduction required is, however, often so prohibitively high as to put it out of reach for most dieting persons. Even those who undergo bariatric surgery often find that some form of apnea therapy is still needed until well over 100 pounds is lost.
- Stroke RehabilitationStroke rehabilitation research has identified that the more frequent the arterial oxygen saturation drops below the safety zone during early recovery, the more dependent in care is the stroke survivor after rehabilitation.
- Primary CareReferral Process Most patients are physician or psychologist referred. Most primary care physicians and specialists are aware of the importance of quality sleep and readily recognize the need for sleep medicine specialists to assist their patients. If your provider(s) is not familiar with us, we can make our referral process known to them. We will also receive patients who are self-referred, and be happy to forward information about your results locally or to out-of-town physicians on request.
- Smoking Cessation
- Sleep DisordersResearch has now conclusively shown that Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is related to the common sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). People with OSA will stop breathing or have rather shallow breathing periodically during their sleep. Depending on how frequently the apnea occurs, it can be a serious condition and even life-threatening.
- ElectrocardiogramIn-lab Polysomnography (formal sleep analysis) Traditionally, sleep analysis has been performed in a hospital or special sleep center. The study can identify many types of sleep problems, and is often used to establish a starting point of treatment after the clinical assessment has suggested a sleep disorder. Optimal Sleep Health has formal relationships with five sleep centers along the Florida west coast, from Bradenton to Port Charlotte. Each of these centers has been evaluated by our staff and meets out high standards for quality of services. The formal in-lab sleep study measures the following: EEG (electroencephalography—brain wave analysis) ECG (electrocardiography—heart rhythm measurement) EOG (electro-oculography—eye movement measurement) EMG (electromyography—muscle tone, leg moving assessment) Pulse oximetry (continuous oxygen measurement) Thoracic/abdominal expansion (breathing effort measurement) Airflow/nasal pressure monitoring Microphone (snoring/sleep talking analysis) Study subjects arrive between 8 PM and 9 PM and are taken to their bedrooms. Often there are snacks and a television available for relaxation prior to sleep time. The hook-up is not painful. Electrodes measuring the various bodily functions are attached to allow for freedom of movement in bed. If the subject needs to urinate one or more times in the night, it is easily arranged without the electrodes having to be removed. Subjects usually arise around 6 or 6:30 AM to depart. Analysis takes a few days. On occasion, a sleep aid may be needed for patients who are anxious about sleeping away from home. Dr. Scheer will always meet with the patient shortly after the analysis is performed to go over results and discuss treatment options.
- Neurology
- Multiple SclerosisOther types of hypersomnia include sleepiness associated with OSA when it is severe, pharmacologic side effects of certain medications, neurologic after effects of severe brain injuries including stroke or head injury, and as a symptom of psychologic or neurologic-degenerative diseases (bipolar depression and multiple sclerosis are examples). Finally, a fairly common hypersomnia is unassociated with narcolepsy or medical, neurologic or psychologic disturbances but causes profound sleepiness even with a long night time sleep period (so-called idiopathic hypersomnia).
- EpilepsyPrivitera, MD, Scheer, SJ. Vocational capacity with epilepsy. In: Scheer, S (Ed.), Medical Perspectives in Vocational Assessment of Impaired Workers. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen Publishers; 1991: 293-300.
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Hypothyroidism
- Bariatric Surgery
- Back Pain