OUR LAB

The rooms are equipped with beds, night tables, lamps, Tv/Vcr, cable, infared light; one room has a queen sized bed, while our other room has a neuropedic bed (such as hospital beds, but larger). Each room has its own individual air conditioning control, for the comfort of our patients. Our lab is also equipped with a conveniently located restroom and fully equipped kitchen. Rooms are cleaned daily and meet OSHA requirements.

The control office is fully computerized and equipped to handle emergencies with intercom system, buzzers, emergency response system and security system at night.

The Sleep Disorder Lab at Lung Associates, P.A. offers a full range of services designed to evaluate, diagnose, treat, and help you manage your sleep disorder, such as Encore System for compliance, retitrate CPAP/BIBAP pressure, and a technologist to answer questions on CPAP/O2 therapy during the day even if you do not have your study done in our lab. Remember, most people suffering from a sleeping disorder are undiagnosed and untreated. We can help you; just call.

THE MOST COMMON SLEEP DISORDERS INCLUDE:

INSOMNIA - Extreme difficulty maintaining a "normal" sleep cycle; including difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep, early morning awaking, excessive use of sleeping pills.

NARCOLEPSY - The inability to stay awake during the day with normal sleep at night.

SLEEP APNEA - Repeated interruptions in breathing caused by heavy snoring, breathing irregularities during sleep with decreasing oxygen, blocking of the airway. Snoring and severe daytime sleepiness, choking or struggling for breath.

SLEEP DISORDERS CAN ALSO CAUSE:

Loss of memory; anxiety and depression; disorientation; change in mood; morning headaches; excessive daytime sleepiness; irritability; decreased ability to concentrate and complete a task; high blood pressure; stroke; heart disease or heart attack; motor vehicle or work related accident; decreased quality of life.

What can be done to help me if I have a Sleeping Disorder?

If you are diagnosed with a sleeping disorder, the physician reading he sleep study will make recommendations to your physician or treat you based on the test results. They can include individual or combination therapy.

Sleep apnea is treatable through a variety of methods, both surgical and non-surgical. The specific therapy for sleep apnea is tailored to the individual patient based on medical history and the results of diagnostic sleep study.

Some people may need additional testing called a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). This test is used to assess and evaluate daytime sleepiness.

Once the sleep disorder has been diagnosed, most disorders can be managed.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Weight Loss

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

Medications

Surgery

Neurological follow-up

Psychiatry follow-up

Simple sleep hygeine changes

Use of adjunct requirement such as chin straps or horseshoe pillows and monitors.

Behavioral therapy

HOW IS THE SLEEP STUDY PERFORMED?

When your doctor orders the study, they will contact the Sleep Lab. We will set up an initial appointment for you to meet with our sleep lab therapist or the physician. During this visit, you will provide a brief personal history and physical, and complete a questionnaire. We will complete all paperwork necessary for the medical record and billing. You will be given a tour of the lab and be scheduled to come back for the sleep study. The study will be done between 8:00 pm and 7:00 am in the Sleep Lab. When you wake up the next day, the therapist will remove the equipment and you may go home or to work.

SLEEP STUDY COST

The total cost of a sleep study will vary depending on the type of study performed. Most insurance plans cover the charges for this test. If you aren't sure if your insurance will cover this test, contact them directly or call 941-741-8633, and we will check for you.

QUESTIONS?

Please do not hesitate to call if you have a question, concern, or for more information regarding the Sleep Disorders Lab, at 941-741-8633 (Bradenton), or 813-634-3306 (Sun City Center). Our competent staff can answer most questions. If you need to speak with the doctor, your message will be conveyed and your call returned promptly. The doctor may be reached for emergencies 24 hours a day through an answering service by calling the office.