While some sleep problems are caused by things we can control—too much caffeine, alcohol consumption or staying up too late to watch TV—others are caused by medical conditions.
At Black River Memorial Hospital, our fully equipped Sleep Center is used to diagnose sleep-related disorders including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and insomnia.
Our sleep technicians conduct sleep studies at BRMH two to three evenings per week. Patients are seen prior to a sleep study for a comprehensive exam upon referral from their doctor.
The Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
You will come to the sleep center where you will be instructed in the use of a portable sleep unit which you will take home and set up in the convenience of your own home. After completion of your home study, you will return the unit to the hospital where the results will be evaluated by a physician.
Actigraphy
Actigraphy is a watch-like monitor that a patient takes home and wears continuously for a two-week period. Actigraphy is used to diagnose certain sleep disorders by monitoring activity levels throughout the day/night.
Multi Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
This is a daytime test that is performed in the sleep center following an in-center sleep study. MSLT is generally done to rule out narcolepsy.
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
This test is used to measure how alert a patient is during the day and if they are capable of staying awake for a period of time.
Self-Management Education & Training
One-on-one assistance is provided to assist patients that are not able to tolerate their CPAP/BiPAP therapy.
Watch Michelle's sleep disorder story
SLEEP APNEA
There are two types of sleep apnea:
Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send the appropriate signals to the muscles we use to breathe.
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open. Obstructive sleep apnea is far more common than central sleep apnea.
