SLEEP MEDICINE

Helping patients achieve better sleep and in turn, improve their lives

SLEEP MEDICINE SERVICES IN PRINCE GEORGE AND HENRICO, VA

Sleep medicine is a medical subspecialty focused on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders and other sleep-related concerns. Sleep disorders are common and, if left untreated, can have significant long-term consequences, such as the increased risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, about one-third of adults report insomnia symptoms, and 6-10 percent meet the criteria for insomnia disorder.

Sleep disorders involve problems with the quality, timing and amount of sleep, which result in daytime distress and impairment in functioning. They often occur along with medical conditions or other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or cognitive disorders. Although there are several different types, insomnia is the most common. Other sleep disorders include obstructive sleep apnea, parasomnias, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome.

Bed and chair inside sleep medicine room

Sleep difficulties are linked to both physical and emotional problems. In addition, sleep problems can both contribute to or exacerbate mental health conditions and can be a symptom of other mental health conditions. Treating patients with sleep disorders involves a blend of physiology, neurology and psychiatry in patients of all ages.

HOW ARE SLEEP DISORDERS DIAGNOSED?

Our sleep medicine experts use a variety of tools to make an accurate diagnosis of your sleep problem, beginning with a complete medical history that includes information about activities, school, work, life at home, and medications that may be affecting your sleep.

Our doctors will use specialized diagnostic tools to gain better insight into the cause of some sleep problems. These tools include sleep journals and the sleepiness scale. If medical history and the information collected from the sleep diary and sleepiness scale suggest an underlying medical condition, our doctors may recommend a sleep study or polysomnogram. During sleep studies, patients are connected to sensors that monitor the stages of sleep, body movements, oxygen levels, and breathing patterns.

Vitalcare managing sleep disorders as a family blog

TYPES OF SLEEP DISORDERS

  • Central sleep apnea
  • Circadian sleep disorders
  • Hypersomnia
  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Nighttime leg cramps
  • Nightmare disorder
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
  • Parasomnias
  • REM sleep behavior disorder
  • Restless legs syndrome
  • Sleep terrors (“night terrors”)
  • Sleepwalking (somnambulism)
  • Snoring

AT-HOME SLEEP TESTS

What Do At-Home Sleep Tests Measure?

When you take an at-home sleep test, specific biological parameters are measured to gain insight into your sleep issues. Several factors are measured:

  • Nasal and oral airflow
  • Respiratory effort
  • Oxygen levels

TREATING SLEEP DISORDERS

Based upon the patient’s diagnosis, preferences, and goals, a sleep medicine specialist may recommend one of these sleep-disorder treatments:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
  • Medications
  • Better sleep hygiene habits and behaviors
In house sleep study device

IN-LAB SLEEP STUDIES

VitalCare Family Practice’s sleep lab in Prince George and Henrico, VA conducts in-lab sleep studies, also known as polysomnographs, to diagnose a variety of sleep disorders in children and adults.

Sleep apnea medicine difficulty sleeping

SLEEP APNEA

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by irregular breathing during sleep, in which breathing stops and starts throughout the night. Patients with sleep apnea may experience daytime sleepiness, snoring, morning headaches and more.

Sleep apnea treatment

INSPIRE THERAPY

Inspire Therapy is treatment option works from within the body to help patients with sleep apnea get better rest. Like CPAP therapy, Inspire Therapy works to keep the airway open during sleep. Inspire is surgically placed and improves a patient’s sleep by internally treating the core causes of sleep apnea.

Insmonia difficulty sleeping sleep medicine treatment services

INSOMNIA

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Left untreated, it can impact your mood, energy, focus and overall quality of life. Our team in Prince George and Henrico, VA is here to help you take control of your sleep health!

Sleep medicine narcolepsy treatment services

NARCOLEPSY

Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes sudden sleep onset and drowsiness. While there is no definitive cure for narcolepsy, our compassionate team at VitalCare Family Practice will help you to manage your symptoms and live as normal of a life as possible.

Teen boy sleeping

PEDIATRIC SLEEP MEDICINE

Sleep is essential to your child’s growth and development. If your teen is suffering from a sleep disorder, our sleep specialists at VitalCare Family Practice can swiftly diagnose your child’s sleep issues, and help them achieve more regular, restful sleep.