Patient Care
What is Sleep Medicine?
Sleep Medicine is a rapidly developing field that is devoted to the identification and treatment of sleep disorders and disturbances. Sleep disorders can have widespread, significant consequences that can affect productivity, and impact other medical conditions such as obesity, mood disorders like depression and anxiety, and fatigue-related accidents (such as work-related errors and automobile accidents).
Why seek evaluation at Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine?
At the Division of Sleep Medicine, our board-certified specialists are available to discuss your sleep health concerns, as well as utilize up-to-date evidence-based methods of diagnosis and therapies. Our clinicians are passionate about serving the Hampton Road community and have worked in the area for more than three decades combined.
What are Sleep Disorders?
There are several different types of sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing such as obstructive sleep apnea, insufficient sleep syndrome, restless leg syndrome, hypersomnia conditions, and circadian rhythm disorders.
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is a condition in which there is an inability to fall or stay asleep. Acute insomnia may occur due to a recent life event or stressor and lasts for less than three months. Chronic insomnia can persist for more than three months. There are a variety of factors that can contribute to insomnia. While it is common to seek treatment of insomnia with medication, behavioral interventions are more beneficial and long lasting. Chronic insomnia can lead to insufficient sleep. Our team of experts can assist in guiding you to making changes in your sleep that may not require intervention with medications.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common condition that occurs when the muscles of your throat and airway relax, causing a blockage of air flow to your lungs. This can be associated with a reduction in oxygen to the brain, which in turn prompts the brain to wake the person up from sleep and disrupt the person’s restorative sleep. It can manifest in the form of choking, snorting, snoring, or gasping. It is common for a person to then return to sleep, and not be aware that this is occurring without a bedpartner observing this repetitive pattern. Our team are experts at diagnosing and treating sleep apnea, to help restore a person’s sleep quality.
How do I know if I suspect or have a Sleep Disorder?
Talk to your doctor about a consultation at the Division of Sleep Medicine if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Consistent tiredness and fatigue during the day
- Loud snoring
- Waking up without a feeling of being restored
- Observed pauses in breathing while asleep
- High blood pressure that is not responsive to therapy
- Frequent awakenings at night
- Gasping or choking at night
- Waking up with palpitations
- Morning headaches
To schedule an appointment, contact the Sleep Disorders center at (757) 446-5908 or request an appointment with one of our sleep experts through your doctor.