The Sleep Medicine Center’s multidisciplinary approach offers the patients a more individualized treatment plan to improve a patient’s sleep. Our sleep experts manage sleep disorders with lifestyle changes, PAP machines, implantable devices, medication, behavior therapy or surgical management.
Lifestyle changes
Patients may be referred to specialists dealing with smoking cessation, weight loss, exercise programs and nutritional counseling.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the most common and non-invasive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It does not require medication or surgery.
The CPAP machine works by wearing a mask. The mask will cover the nose and/or mouth. A flexible tube connects the mask to the CPAP machine. When the machine is turned on, it delivers the optimal positive airway pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. The optimal pressure setting is determined during the overnight sleep study.
The CPAP is considered a medical device therefore requires a physician’s prescription for the machine and the supplies.
Typically, CPAP devices and the supplies are covered by a patient’s insurance company. This is usually a durable medical equipment benefit.
Our Sleep Center staff will work with local durable medical equipment companies to provide you with the appropriate machine and supplies such as your mask and hose.
Implantable device
Inspire® is a device that works from inside the body and with a patient’s natural breathing process to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The implantable system includes a small generator, a sensing lead and a stimulation lead. Turned on by a handheld remote, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep. Learn more about this treatment option.
Pharmacotherapy
In the clinical setting, physicians rely on pharmacotherapy solely or in conjunction with other forms of treatment, depending on the sleep disorder. Such disorders would include insomnia, restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movements, narcolepsy and REM sleep disorder behavior, to name a few. The Sleep Medicine provider will discuss which medications may be appropriate for you during the initial consultation visit.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy is offered to our patients and primarily managed by our psychiatrist and/or psychologist to help with sleep disorders. Often these approaches focus on lifestyle changes, learning relaxation techniques, setting expectations and achieving goals, and taking control of the situation.
Some of the common therapy techniques include cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), sleep hygiene education, sleep restriction, stimulus control, relaxation training including imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, and guided meditation, imagery rehearsal therapy and bright light therapy.
At the Sleep Medicine Center, behavioral therapy is widely used with patients who have the following sleep problems: insomnia, difficulty tolerating CPAP, circadian rhythm sleep disorders such as shift-work, jet lag, and delayed sleep phase (“night owls”), chronic nightmares, nocturnal eating syndromes, sleep walking, and difficulty sleeping due to PTSD, depression, anxiety or other issues.