Sleep Center
Altru's Sleep Center provides comprehensive clinical evaluation and treatment to patients with a variety of sleep-related disorders. The latest technology, expertise and state of the art equipment is used to evaluate sleep disorders.
Our physicians are board certified in:
- Sleep Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Neurology
- Ear, Nose and Throat
Our staff include Registered Polysomnographers and Respiratory Therapists. The Altru Sleep Center was granted reaccreditation through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) in 2023. This accreditation is good for five years.
For further information on Altru's Sleep Center, call 701.780.5484, toll-free 800.732.4277, ext 6400, fax 701.732.7599 or email sleepcenter@altru.org.
Altru's Sleep Center is located at 4350 S Washington Suite 112.
About Sleep Disorders
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 70 million Americans suffer from disorders of sleep and wakefulness. Of them, nearly 60 percent have a chronic disorder, defined as a physiological condition that causes disruptive sleep patterns. Sleep disorders inhibit an individual's mental and physical performance and can seriously affect one's health and quality of life. Sleep disorders can range in severity from snoring and restlessness, to gastro-esophageal reflux, to sleep apnea.
Do you have difficulty sleeping?
According to the National Sleep Foundation these are some warning signs of inadequate sleep:
- Dozing off while engaged in an activity such as reading, watching TV, sitting in meetings or sitting in traffic
- Slowed thinking and reacting
- Difficulty listening to what is said or understanding directions
- Difficulty remembering or retaining information
- Frequent errors or mistakes
- Poor judgment in complex situations
- Depression or negative mood
- Impatience, being quick to anger
- Frequent blinking, difficulty focusing eyes or heavy eyelids
- Hypertension
The Importance of Diagnosis and Treatment
Sleep disorders can seriously interfere with one's overall emotional or physical health, often leading to depression, reduced concentration and impaired memory and judgment. The extreme fatigue caused by sleep disorders can inhibit an individual's job performance and social skills, as well as increase the risk of car and work-related accidents. Lack of quality sleep also lowers the body's ability to resist and fight illnesses. As a result, the sleep-deprived person is often sick.
Types of Sleep Disorders
- Sleep Apnea occurs when people momentarily stop breathing while asleep. Snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness are common symptoms. If not treated, sleep apnea may result in heart attacks, strokes, impotency or other problems.
- Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Disorders such as sleep apnea, muscle twitches, pain or poor sleep hygiene may be causes of insomnia.
- Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. People experiencing this disorder will fall asleep at inappropriate times such as while talking, driving or eating. This is a lifelong disorder, usually occurring in childhood.
- Periodic Leg Movement Syndrome occurs through muscle twitches during the night that may disrupt sleep. Without adequate sleep, the patient feels fatigued during the day.
- Parasomnias are events that occur during sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, nightmares and acting out dreams. These events affect daytime performance and cause excessive sleepiness and irritability.
What Happens After Your Sleep Study
- Your test results will be scored and then interpreted by a physician specializing in Sleep Medicine.
- Test results will be available to your physician within 5-10 business days from the date of your study. If you have questions about your test results, please discuss them with your physician.
- If your test is positive for OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea), you will require a prescription for a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) or BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure device).
- If indicated, the physician who interprets your test may write an order to have the DME company of your choice provide your CPAP/BIPAP equipment.
- If you have not heard from your physician or the DME company after two weeks, please contact your physician directly.
- Find answers to more of your sleep study questions in our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
