Sleep Disorders Center

If you're cranky during the day, need copious amounts of coffee to "get going," or find that your eyes close while you're driving, are you "just tired," or could you have a sleep disorder? A large and growing number of Americans do-the National Sleep Foundation estimates that about 20 percent of us are suffering from lack of sleep.

Caffeine, nicotine and alcohol all steal sleep. As do long hours at work, night shifts, and checking our Blackberries until seconds before bedtime. Indeed, there are so many opportunities to do something else besides sleep. Cable TV is available around the clock, as is email, facebook, and other Internet temptations.

But lack of sleep causes more than just sleepiness. A lack of quality sleep can cause accidents. It affects your relationships and your mental and physical health. Why?

As you sleep, your body rests and restores its energy levels. We know this instinctively; a good night's sleep is often the best way to help you cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from an illness. Sleep is just as important to your health as diet and exercise.

Everyone experiences occasional sleep problems. A temporary inability to get high quality sleep can be caused by stress, a change in schedule or time zones, or poor bedtime habits-and happens to almost everyone at some point in life.

So how do you tell if your sleeplessness is an isolated occurrence, or if you have a chronic sleep disorder? At Florida Hospital Altamonte Sleep Disorders Center, we begin by taking a look at your symptoms. If you:

• feel cranky, irritable or sleepy during the day
• have difficulty staying awake when sitting still, reading or driving
• have difficulty concentrating
• often get told by others that you look tired
• react slowly
• have emotional outbursts
• feel like taking a nap almost every day
• require caffeine to keep going

On a regular basis, your sleeplessness might be part of an ongoing problem or sleep disorder. Researchers have identified nearly 100 sleep disorders. Most common are insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring and restless leg syndrome.

Why is lost sleep such a serious matter? Several large studies have linked sleep deficits with negative life issues, such as:

• poor work performance
• driving accidents
• relationship problems
• mood disorders such as anger and depression

A growing list of health risks have been linked to sleep loss, as well, including:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• obesity

The great news is that sleep loss doesn't have to be a permanent problem. With help managing your sleep from The Florida Hospital Altamonte Center for Sleep Disorders, you'll be on your way to experiencing healthy, restorative sleep. To receive a brochure about the Florida Hospital Altamonte Center for Sleep Disorders, contact us and one will be e-mailed to you.

How to Get a Sleep Study
You can be self- or physician-referred to the Florida Hospital Altamonte Center for Sleep Disorders. Ask your physician to send any pertinent information and recent laboratory data (less than six months old) to the Center. The Center will contact you and ask you to complete a questionnaire concerning your medical, psychological and sleep history. This information will be reviewed by the medical directors. The review panel includes neurologists, psychologists, pulmonary specialists, and ENT (ears, nose, and throat physicians).