It is true a good night’s sleep is important for your health and well-being, but more than 70 million people in the United States have some type of sleep disorder. They affect children, teens, single adults, parents and seniors. So, when is it time to see a doctor? If you have trouble falling asleep night after night, or if you always feel tired the next day, then you may have a sleep disorder and should see a physician.

Medical Director of Health First Sleep Centers Dr. Prakash Reddy, MD, DABSM explains how Health First’s Sleep Centers can help effectively identify and treat sleep issues.

The Health First Sleep Centers provide a comprehensive evalu-ation for sleep disordered breathing problems which include diagnosis and treatment for the full spectrum of sleep disorders. “Our professional team of board-certified physicians includes a pediatric sleep specialist and nationally registered sleep technologists.”

The most common disorders are sleep related breathing problems or obstructive sleep apnea, sleep related movement disorders, parasomnias, insomnia, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm disorder, pediatric sleep issues which may include snoring, behavioral bedtime problems or nighttime awakenings. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder affecting at least 2 – 4 percent of the adult population. Snoring is a very common condition and a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea. “Obstructive sleep apnea can occur due to the collapse of the upper airways,” Dr. Reddy said. “This may lead to clinical symptoms of daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, witnessed breathing interruptions or awakenings.” The Health First Sleep Centers diagnose and treat sleep disorders through evaluation, lifestyle changes and medical equipment if needed. During the evaluation various electrodes and sensors will be applied in order to monitor brain activity, blood oxygen level, muscle activity, breathing, heart rhythm and heart rate. Nothing about this procedure is painful, and once in bed patients will be able to turn and move about in order to stay comfortable.

Signs that an evaluation might be needed:
• Snoring (usually loud and disruptive)
• Choking or gasping during sleep
• Observed pauses in breathing
• Daytime fatigue and/or sleepiness
• Dry mouth/sore throat in morning
• Morning headaches
• Night sweats
• Insomnia
• Poor concentration and attention
• Memory problems
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Sleep walking or night terrors

Health First Sleep Centers:

Cocoa Beach
321-868-5832
701 W. Cocoa Beach Cswy.(located in the modular building behind Cape Canaveral Hospital)

Viera
321-434-9133
8745 N. Wickham Rd.(located on 2nd floor of Viera Hospital)

Palm Bay
321-724-0015
5200 Babcock St. N.E., Suite 104

For more information visit Health-First.org/Sleep