If you have trouble sleeping through the night or don’t feel rested in the morning, then you could be suffering from a sleep disorder. And as daunting a task as it may seem, getting properly diagnosed and treated for a malady like sleep apnea could be just what the doctor orders.
At the Comprehensive Sleep Center in Destrehan, patients’ ailments are professionally approached head on by an individualized treatment plan.
“Our treatment plans are based on a clinical and physical evaluation by a board-certified sleep specialist,” said Dr. Denise Sharon, clinical director at the east bank sleep center. “We also use additional information from sleep studies, questionnaires, blood work and other tests to properly diagnose a person with a specific disorder.”
For sleep center patient Gary Carbo, 64, finding a doctor who could not only diagnose, but treat his disorder, was crucial.
“I’ve had problems sleeping since my early twenties,” said Carbo. “I originally visited the center in 2007 and have since been diagnosed with and treated for sleep apnea.”
Carbo, who’s most prominent symptoms were drowsiness, fatigue, sleepiness, snoring and drowsy driving, says that he now uses a c-pap machine when he sleeps to ease and control his disorder.
According to Sharon, the International Classification of Sleep Disorders lists 95 different sleep-related illnesses. She says that her clinic treats all disorders.
“We offer diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up services for patients with sleep disorders along with educating each and every patient,” said Sharon.
Sharon also says that the Destrehan location provides genetic and occupational counseling related to sleep disorders and support groups for patients and their families.
The center is fully equipped to treat any sleep-related disorder, and has two on-site “sleep rooms” – each complete with a double bed and relaxing atmosphere – that are used to monitor a patient’s sleep patterns.
Sharon says that the most common patient complaints are related to needing more sleep and not getting enough sleep.
In addition to patients needing more sleep, Sharon says that the clinic diagnoses and treats sleep-related disorders such as snoring, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times/unexpected times, teeth grinding, restlessness related to bedtime, sleep related reflux, sleep-related unusual behaviors and morning headaches.
“In children, sleepiness may not be present, even with insufficient sleep,” Sharon said. “Therefore it’s important to pay attention to their sleep as well as symptoms of restlessness, irritability, frequent upper-airway infections, obesity, decreased school performance and changes in their behavior or personality.”
Sharon points out that accreditation is crucial when seeking out a sleep center and says both specialists at the Comprehensive Sleep Center are certified by the Board of American Academy of Sleep Medicine. She says the center’s polysomnography technicians are either registered or registry eligible by the Board of Registered Sleep Technologists.
“A person should always choose a sleep center that is properly accredited,” Sharon said. “And a patient should also ensure that they are getting a face-to-face clinical evaluation with a board-certified sleep specialist.”
Sharon says that these evaluations usually last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the information needed.
“Based on the initial evaluation, a sleep study may be recommended,” said Sharon. “It is important to remember that there are several types of sleep studies, therefore it’s crucial to have a comprehensive sleep medicine evaluation prior to deciding which type of sleep study is needed.”
In a center that is accredited by the AASM, the sleep study will be performed during or related to the patient’s regular sleep times and will be performed and scored by a registered technologist.
The study is then interpreted by a sleep specialist who subsequently discusses with the patient the results and a treatment plan, while following up the implementation.
Sharon says that the length of treatment for sleep disorders vary based on the disorder, the treatment and the patient.
“For some patients, treatment is immediate or short term,” Sharon said. “But for some it takes weeks, months or even years of treatment.”
Sharon says that Destrehan’s Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Center is different from others in southeast Louisiana because of their patient-centered approach.
“We are using our clinical expertise and our research-related experience to thoroughly evaluate and devise detailed, individualized plans for each patient,” Sharon said.“We are committed to our community, St. Charles Parish residents, to provide sleep education.”
And Carbo agrees.
“I have nothing but high regard for the professional courtesy I have been given at the sleep center,” said Carbo. “Everyone took a personal interest in my well being and showed concern when I spoke of my symptoms. The staff really made me feel relaxed and at home.”
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