Sleep Disorders Laboratory
More than 100 million Americans do not regularly get a good night’s sleep and about 40 million suffer from sleep-related disorders such as snoring, fragmented sleep and sleep apnea. However, only about five percent have been diagnosed and treated according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
About Us
The Sleep Disorders Laboratory at Mercy Hospital was established in 1994. It has enjoyed broad-based support from the medical community and it is among the busiest laboratories in South Florida. Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine our laboratory provides treatment for Insomnia (inability to fall or stay asleep), Restless Legs Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (crawling sensations in the legs or thrashing or kicking of the legs resulting in disturbed sleep), Narcolepsy (characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks during the day) and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (repetitive interruptions of breathing during sleep).
Our lab provides you with:
- Timely, accurate evaluations
- Multidisciplinary team approach
- Private rooms with bathrooms
- Cable TV
- Pre and post test support
- Network of sleep specialists
Why Do I Need to Sleep?
The quality of our sleep has a direct impact on our quality of life. Sleep is essential to physical and emotional health. Adequate sleep helps bodies recover from illness and injury and carries mental benefits as well. With enough sleep, it’s easier to concentrate, accomplish takes and handle minor annoyances. Not enough sleep can impair ability to do mathematical calculations, memory, learning, logical reasoning. Even occasional sleeping problems can make life feel more stressful or make us less productive at work. Insufficient sleep can strain relationships and can lead to fatigue related accidents. Sleep deprivation is also associated with other more serious medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, premature heart disease, stroke, sudden cardiac death and sleep apnea.
What is Sleep Apnea?
The most common sleep disorder diagnosed and treated at Mercy Hospital’s Sleep Lab is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). OSA is a life threatening disorder characterized by brief, repetitive interruptions of breathing during sleep. Estimates indicate four percent of men and two percent of women suffer from OSA. Symptoms of OSA include: Daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, loud, irregular snoring and obesity. Untreated OSA increases risk of hypertension, stroke, heart attack and industrial accidents. Once diagnosed, the most common treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, when a preset amount of air pressure is mechanically delivered to maintain an open airway during sleep. Other treatments may include weight loss, oral appliance therapy, or surgical intervention.
How Do I Get Help?
Your physician is your best source for advice and help if your sleepiness interferes with how you feel or function during the day. In many cases, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes or medicine that can help promote sleep. However, this may not be enough and you may have a more serious problem. At this point your physician may recommend a diagnostic sleep test.
Our staff is happy to work with you and your physician. Your doctor will be asked to send us your recent medical information. We will review results and recommend treatment to your referring doctor. If you need a physician, we can recommend one of many from our network of sleep specialists. For more information call (305) 860-5208 or send an email to sleeplab@mercymiami.org.
Insurance
Most health insurances plans are accepted, including most managed care plans.