Hawthorn Medical Associates | Hawthorn Sleep Center

Hawthorn Sleep Center

Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

If you or someone you know snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, it could be Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
• Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Restless sleep
• Excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day
• Large neck size (greater than 17" in men; greater than 16" in women)
• Morning headache
• Sexual dysfunction
• Frequent urination at night
• Poor judgment or concentration
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Obesity

Millions of people have sleep disorders that prevent them from having a healthy sleep rhythm. This can lead to issues like chronic fatigue, irritability, headaches and lack of concentration.

Hawthorn's Sleep Center is committed to minimizing the negative issues related to sleep disorders. Our physicians are specially trained in sleep medicine, have years of experience, and can fully explain treatment options to patients.

Sleep disorders that can be evaluated and treated include insomnia, narcolepsy (excessive daytime sleepiness), sleep-related movement disorders such as restless leg syndrome, and the most common, obstructive sleep apnea.

Patients seeking treatment for sleep disorders first meet with one of our physicians. Symptoms are reviewed and in some cases, changes in habits and lifestyle can eliminate sleep disorders. When needed, polysomnographic testing will be scheduled. These sleep studies provide physicians and staff the details of your sleep cycle. They will evaluate your progression through the stages of sleep, breathing and oxygen levels, snoring and movement.

Patients having overnight studies will arrive in the evening and meet with sleep technologists. Electrodes, applied to the scalp, sides of the head, chest and leg, will measure brain waves, heart rate and eye movements. A sensor is also placed by the nose and mouth to measure airflow. Other monitoring may be done. The electrodes will relay information to the sleep technologists.

Once completed, the sleep study is interpreted by the physicians and appropriate follow-up is arranged. For most patients, sleep studies are easy to tolerate, comfortable, and will give the physician all of the information he needs to diagnose and treat your sleep disorder.

Resting Is Easy
Hawthorn's Sleep Center features six spacious sleep study rooms. Each is equipped with the latest diagnostic technology. With your comfort in mind, the rooms are beautifully decorated, have private baths with showers, and have flat screen televisions.

For more information about the Hawthorn Sleep Center or to make an appointment, call 508-996-3991.

WITHIN THIS SPECIALTY

• Robert W. Conroy, DO

Normal Sleep: What Is It?

How and when we sleep is determined by a number of factors. One of the most important is our internal clock, also known as our circadian rhythm. This clock regulates our biologic rhythm over a 24-hour period.

Sleep occurs in stages throughout the night. There is REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. During non-REM sleep, many of the body's restorative functions occur. During REM sleep, our thoughts and experiences from the day are processed and dreams may occur.

Because we all have different rhythms, stages of sleep, and required amounts of sleep, there really is no "normal" sleep. It is when you routinely wake from sleep feeling unrefreshed or sleepy that there could be a problem.