Having trouble sleeping?

Sleep accounts for approximately one third of our lives. Sleep disturbances are very common and include:

• Snoring
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Choking sensations during the night
• Apnoea ( periods of no breathing)
• Morning headaches
• Loss of memory
• Decrease in concentration

Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is associated with significant medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, obesity, depression and lung disease.

The best way to diagnose a sleep disorder is with a sleep study.

Overnight admission to a sleep disorders unit will enable observation of your breathing and sleep patterns. Small electrodes are placed on your skin to measure:

• Brain activity
• Heart activity
• Eye activity
• Muscle tone
• Chest and abdominal effort
• Airflow
• Leg movement
• Blood oxygen level

None of these devices are uncomfortable and should not interfere with your night’s sleep. These monitoring devices are connected to a terminal located at the bedside which sends information to a computer located at the nurses station. During the night a trained nurse will constantly monitor your progress to ensure the best quality study is recorded.

A highly trained physician reviews the sleep study to assist in providing a diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, your specialist will discuss a treatment plan to assist you in returning to better health and better sleeping.

Your nearest sleep studies unit is located at Wangaratta Private Hospital. The service is available to self-funded, Veterans and privately insured patients.

For more information please see your General Practitioner or Physician or contact Wangaratta Private Hospital on 03 5722 2678 for more information about the service.