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Sleep LaboratoryThe sleep laboratory at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin offers one of the largest sleep testing facilities in the area. Equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, the six-bed lab provides testing for the full range of sleep problems — from breathing and movement disorders to sleep seizure and teeth grinding. The Sleep Disorders Program is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is staffed by fully certified registered polysomnographic technologists. The lab functions seven nights a week for maximum flexibility in scheduling a sleep study.
Advanced SurgeriesThe Sleep Disorders Program is a national and international leader in advanced surgery for sleep problems caused by breathing disorders. Using a variety of techniques, Froedtert & The Medical College surgeons can reconstruct the airway to alleviate obstructions that interfere with sleep. Treatment options include laser surgery, noninvasive radiofrequency procedures and simple palatal implants.
Occupational TestingFor some workers, like long-distance truck drivers, sleep disorders can pose a serious safety threat. The Sleep Disorders Program offers performance vigilance testing to evaluate individuals for sleep-related occupational risk.
Hard-to-Diagnose Sleep DisordersSleep disorders are often caused by a combination of factors. In many cases, patients who did not have their sleep problems resolved in other sleep programs found effective treatment at the Sleep Disorders Program at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin.
Examples of missed/incorrect sleep disorder diagnoses include:
- A patient was diagnosed elsewhere with sleep apnea, a condition that interferes with sleep. But the patient also suffered from restless legs syndrome (RLS), a disorder that also interferes with good sleep. The patient’s physician did not ask about the symptoms for RLS, and the patient did not receive treatment for this. After the patient came to the Sleep Disorders Program, RLS was diagnosed and treatment was provided.
- Some adolescents who are said to have attention deficit disorder (ADD) may, in fact, have a significant sleep disorder. Unlike adults who may lack energy without enough sleep, an adolescent may appear irritable, distracted and hyperactive. A sleep problem may be completely overlooked unless a physician is trained in diagnosing sleep disorders.
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Last Review Date: Oct. 5, 2006 Online Editor(s): Christopher Sadler |
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