- Phone 614-766-0773
- Location Dublin, Ohio
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have a sleep disorder?
Although the number of sleep disorders is many, they all tend to share varying degrees of up to three very recognizable symptoms:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most common reason why patients come to seek help from a sleep medicine specialist. Excessive sleepiness is generally most noticeable when a sleepy individual sits still or becomes inactive such as reading or watching TV. Excessive sleepiness can become particularly dangerous when driving a motor vehicle, placing the individual and other drivers at risk from a motor vehicle accident from falling asleep at the wheel. A well-rested individual should be able to sit through these and other boring situations without nodding off. If you nod off when inactive, it is a strong indication that you may have a pathological sleepiness.
- Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or non-refreshing sleep, are symptoms commonly associated with insomnia. Although there are several specific disorders of insomnia, insomnia can be a symptom of many other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome or other medical conditions such as depression or anxiety. It is helpful to regard insomnia as a symptom like a “fever”. Just as many things may cause a fever, many disorders may cause insomnia. To the extent possible, we try to identify and treat all of the underlying causes of a patient’s insomnia. If you have difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or non-refreshing sleep, you may have a sleep disorder and should consider an evaluation from a sleep medicine specialist.
- Parasomnias are unwanted or undesirable behaviors or experiences that occur during sleep, such as sleep walking, sleep terrors, nightmares, sleep eating behavior, or enuresis (bedwetting). Some parasomnias occur more specifically during deep slow wave sleep such as sleep terrors, and, therefore, are most common during the first half of the night. Other parasomnias may present during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as dream sleep. Since REM sleep is most prominent in the early morning, REM sleep parasomnias such as nightmares or REM sleep behavior disorder are more likely to manifest during the second half of the night. Parasomnias are generally easily treatable once the underlying diagnosis has been established.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most common reason why patients come to seek help from a sleep medicine specialist. Excessive sleepiness is generally most noticeable when a sleepy individual sits still or becomes inactive such as reading or watching TV. Excessive sleepiness can become particularly dangerous when driving a motor vehicle, placing the individual and other drivers at risk from a motor vehicle accident from falling asleep at the wheel. A well-rested individual should be able to sit through these and other boring situations without nodding off. If you nod off when inactive, it is a strong indication that you may have a pathological sleepiness.
- Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or non-refreshing sleep, are symptoms commonly associated with insomnia. Although there are several specific disorders of insomnia, insomnia can be a symptom of many other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome or other medical conditions such as depression or anxiety. It is helpful to regard insomnia as a symptom like a “fever”. Just as many things may cause a fever, many disorders may cause insomnia. To the extent possible, we try to identify and treat all of the underlying causes of a patient’s insomnia. If you have difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or non-refreshing sleep, you may have a sleep disorder and should consider an evaluation from a sleep medicine specialist.
- Parasomnias are unwanted or undesirable behaviors or experiences that occur during sleep, such as sleep walking, sleep terrors, nightmares, sleep eating behavior, or enuresis (bedwetting). Some parasomnias occur more specifically during deep slow wave sleep such as sleep terrors, and, therefore, are most common during the first half of the night. Other parasomnias may present during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, also known as dream sleep. Since REM sleep is most prominent in the early morning, REM sleep parasomnias such as nightmares or REM sleep behavior disorder are more likely to manifest during the second half of the night. Parasomnias are generally easily treatable once the underlying diagnosis has been established.
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study is an overnight procedure conducted either at our sleep lab under the supervision of a technician or at home sleep study unattended. We record your sleep through various sensors to determine your sleep stages and cycles as well as important physiological parameters such as your blood oxygen level, heart rate, pulse, respiratory effort, airflow, brain waves and body positions. Sleep studies are safe, pain free and noninvasive.
Do all snorers have sleep apnea?
The presence of snoring is a strong indication of increased resistance through the upper airway during sleep and definitely raises the suspicion that a disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea may be present. However, some patients may have obstructive sleep apnea even in the absence of snoring. Such patients may have “heavy breathing” or, in some cases, make very little noise at all. Patients who have extensive soft palatal tissue, such as a long soft palate or uvula, tend to be loud snorers. However, others who have a small or micrognathic mandible in the presence of a normal soft palate can have a severe obstructive sleep apnea even though they do not snore.
Can I have more than one sleep problem?
It is actually common to have more than one sleep disorder. For example, approximately 25% of the general population over the age of 65 has some form of obstructive breathing during sleep. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in patients over the age of 65 is also approximately 25%. As a result, it is common for patients, just by chance, to have both obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. We have also found that patients with narcolepsy are more likely to have or develop obstructive sleep apnea, particularly as narcoleptic patients age. Unless all sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated in any given patient, symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness will not adequately improve or resolve. At the Ohio Sleep Medicine Institute we take a comprehensive approach to identify and treat all sleep disorders to achieve the greatest success in patient satisfaction and outcome
Will my insurance cover a sleep evaluation?
Almost all health insurance plans cover sleep medicine evaluations from the initial consultation visit, to the overnight sleep study (polysomnogram), and most treatment options. At the Ohio Sleep Medicine Institute, we are in network with all major insurance carriers with the exception of Medicaid. Please note, our Institute is independent of any hospital affiliation, providing a big cost savings in patient care.
What is a CPAP?
CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. It is the standard of care for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A CPAP involves the use of an adjustable blower unit connected to a small mask usually covering the nose. A nasal CPAP acts as a “pneumatic splint” by increasing pressure in the oropharyngeal airway, allowing air to flow in and out easily, thereby reducing the work of breathing. Consequently, microarousals due to apneic events are eliminated, sleep is less disrupted and patients feel more refreshed and energetic. Patients typically adapt very quickly to CPAP, and most patients report sleeping better and feeling better the next morning after using the device. Some patients may undergo an adjustment period lasting a few days to a few weeks, depending on how potential side effects are managed.
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