General Information

Are You Getting Enough Sleep?

The numbers alone are enough to keep you awake -- at least 40 million Americans report that they don't get enough sleep. And it's more than simply sleeping poorly at night; some can hardly stay awake during the day. Even children can have sleep disorders.

Sleep Deprivation Can Affect Your Health

Sleep disorders lead to sleep deprivation, which can negatively impact your brain, heart and whole body. Clinical studies have shown a link between certain sleep disorders and heart attacks, congestive heart failure, stroke, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

A sleep disorder also can result in impaired memory and physical performance, hallucinations and mood swings.

Treating sleep disorders can significantly lower blood pressure, relieve excess stress on the heart and vascular system, prevent or delay the progression of type 2 diabetes and its complications, and reduce the need for some medications. It can also improve your memory and make you feel better overall, physically and mentally.

Common Sleep Disorders

• Sleep apnea syndrome
• Insomnia
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Night terrors
• Sleepwalking
• REM sleep behavior disorder

Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?

• Do you snore?
• Have you been told you stop breathing during sleep
• Do you feel sleepy during the day?
• Have you ever fallen asleep while driving?
• Do you struggle to stay awake when inactive -- watching TV, reading, etc?
• Have you experienced performance problems at work or school?
• Is it hard to pay attention or concentrate on a task?

An answer of "yes" to any of these questions means you might have a sleep disorder. Ask your doctor if you need a sleep study if you are experiencing any of these problems.

We Can Help

Accredited through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the Baptist Health Sleep Disorders Centers offer extensive experience in diagnosing and treating individuals with sleep disorders. Our staff includes:

• An American Board of Sleep Medicine-certified medical director
• Board-certified and board-eligible pulmonology/critical care physicians who specialize in sleep medicine
• Registered polysomnographic technologists
• Registered respiratory therapists
• A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) educator

Because our Sleep Disorders Centers are located within all Baptist Medical Centers, patients in need of immediate medical treatment can be assured that they have access to comprehensive care and expert physicians.

The Comforts of Home

Our Sleep Disorders Centers offer a home-like setting with amenities that include:

• Queen-sized beds
• Complimentary continental breakfast
• Cable television
• Private shower/bath
• Spacious, quiet rooms that are dark enough for sleep

Many health insurance plans cover sleep studies and treatment. We'll help with confirming insurance coverage for you.

Pediatric Sleep Disorders Treatment

We offer a hospital-based sleep disorders program specifically for children in the region, and are the only local program to perform infant sleep studies. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are important because a child's behavior and ability to perform well at school can be affected by certain sleep disorders. Treatment can improve mood and behavior, reduce hyperactivity and inattention, improve learning performance in school, and reduce the need for medications.

Sleep Disorders Centers Physicians
Andrew M. Namen MD, FCCP, D, ABSM (Medical Director) Ian Nathanson, MD, FCCP (Pediatric Medical Director) Francisco Baraona, MD Richard A. Reid, MD, FCCP	J. Daniel Grigas, MD, FCCP Frederick L. Trent, MD, FCCP Mark A. Crowe, MD William Gill, MD