Sleep Medicine
For an appointment, a second opinion or more information, please call 1-888-DMC-2500.
Sleep is essential to good health. Poor sleep quality can affect your concentration, daytime performance, memory and interpersonal relationships as well as mental and physical health. Detroit Medical Center (DMC) connects you to knowledgeable sleep physicians that can evaluate, diagnose and explore treatment options to significantly improve the quality of your sleep.
DMC Sleep Medicine Specialists
Sleep Specialists are usually Pulmonologists, physicians who specialize in the lungs. The DMC has Adult Sleep Medicine Specialty Centers located in both DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital (accredited by the National Academy of Sleep Medicine), and a pediatric sleep medicine program at DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan.
The Sleep Medicine Center at Detroit Receiving Hospital is certified by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
About Sleep Disorders
People suffering from sleeping disorders experience serious disturbances in their normal sleep pattern and often feel very sleepy during the day. Unrestful sleep can significantly impact:
- Concentration
- Daytime performance
- Memory
- Interpersonal relationships
- Mental and physical health
These symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can even be life-threatening. The risks of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea include:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Impotence
- Irregular heartbeats
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
Other common sleep disorders include:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Restless leg syndrome
- Age-related sleep issues
Patient Resources
For more information on sleep and sleep disorders visit the following:
More on Sleep Apnea
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is characterized by apnea (Latin for “without breath”) episodes during sleep. The sufferer’s breathing may stop for 10 seconds or longer, at rates ranging from 5 to 50 times an hour.
There are three types of sleep apnea.
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Central sleep apnea
- Mixed sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common of the three types.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
A blockage or narrowing of the airways in your nose, mouth or throat generally causes obstructive sleep apnea. This usually occurs when the throat muscles and tongue relax during sleep and partially block the airway.
Sleep apnea can also occur if you have bone deformities or larger than normal tissues in your nose, mouth or throat. For example, you may have large tonsils. During the day when you are awake and standing up, this may not cause problems. However, when you lie down at night, your tonsils can press down on your airway, narrowing it and causing sleep apnea.
Other factors that make sleep apnea more likely include:
- Being obese
- Using certain medicines before bed
- Drinking alcohol before going to sleep
- Sleeping on your back
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Loud snoring and feeling very sleepy during the day are the two main symptoms. Your bed partner may notice periods when you stop breathing during sleep. Other symptoms may include:
- Tossing and turning during sleep
- Waking up with a headache
- Feeling irritated and sleepy after a full night’s sleep
Sleep Quiz
Are you one of the 40 million Americans living with a sleep disorder? Take this informal sleep quiz to find out.
- Do you feel sleepy or doze off while engaged in daily activities, such as watching TV, reading or driving?
- Do you have trouble sleeping three nights a week or more?
- Do your legs ache prior to bed or when getting up?
- Does your partner complain about your loud snoring?
If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you may have a sleep disorder.
