Sleep Disorders Center
Sleep is a basic human need. When it's disturbed, our body's systems and functions are affected. At Athens Regional's Sleep Disorders Center, trained diagnostic technologists work with specialty physicians to diagnose and treat common sleep disorders.
The Sleep Disorders Center is a certified center. This important distinction from other labs means we become a partner in your care, working with you and your doctor to tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
We diagnose sleep disorders through polysomnography and help develop treatment plans using BiPAP and CPAP systems.
Technologists monitor patients' sleep patterns during an overnight stay. Using infrared lighting, video cameras monitor each patient at the center. Electrodes are used to monitor chest movement, leg movement, breathing and heart rate.
The rooms at the sleep lab have been specially designed to look and feel like bedrooms. They have queen sleigh beds, comfortable linens, televisions and dressers.
When patients are ready for bed (cotton T-shirts and shorts are recommended) and electrodes are in place, the center is able to monitor brainwave activity, eye movement, muscle activity, oxygen levels, heart rates and leg movement.
The center's state-of-the-art equipment helps determine if a patient has abnormalities of breathing, movement, disruption of sleep stages or cardiac rhythm.
Overnight sessions begin around 8 p.m. and end about 7 a.m. By the time morning arrives, the center has collected enough information to help diagnose and/or treat a sleep disorder.
Services/Products
By observing sleep patterns, the sleep lab is able to diagnose sleep disorders and help our patients on the path to better health. Our technicians are all trained and skilled in their fields. Many are certified specifically in the area of sleep.
Common Sleep Disorders
Central Sleep Apnea - when you repeatedly stop breathing during sleep because the brain temporarily stops sending signals to the muscles that control breathing
Obstructive Sleep Apnea - a condition in which the flow of air pauses or decreases during breathing while you are asleep because the airway has become narrowed, blocked, or floppy. A pause in breathing is called an apnea episode. A decrease in airflow during breathing is called hypopnea episode. Almost everyone has brief apnea episodes while they sleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome and Periodic Leg Movement Disorder &ndash also known as nocturnal myoclonus, RLS or akathisia, is a disorder in which there is an urge or need to move the legs to stop unpleasant sensations.
Narcolepsy &ndash also known as daytime sleep disorder or cataplexy, is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness and frequent daytime sleep attacks.
Night Terrors - (sleep terrors) are a sleep disorder in which a person quickly wakes from sleep in a terrified state.
Sleepwalking &ndash also known as somnambulism, is a disorder that occurs when people walk or do another activity while they are still asleep.