Sleep Disorders Center
Sleep Patterns
Sleep patterns change with the aging process. Infants may sleep up to 16 hours per day; most adults sleep seven to eight hours a night, but some may sleep only four or as long as ten hours. The elderly may experience more disturbed sleep for shorter periods at night and nap during the day.
With adequate sleep, people should be able to function throughout the day feeling rested and alert. However, some people fall asleep at times when they should be able to stay awake. This dangerous situation may be a sign of a sleep disorder, which can be identified and successfully treated.
What Is a Sleep Disorder?
Insomnia
Insomnia includes problems falling asleep and/or staying asleep. It can occur at any age and can be caused by many conditions, including breathing disorders, leg movements, pain, stressful life events, chronic depression, or noise or temperature problems.
Other common causes include misuse or overuse of sleeping pills, alcohol, heavy smoking, changing sleep-wake schedules (as in shift work) or changes in the sleep-wake rhythm.
Narcolepsy
An urge to sleep at inappropriate times (sleep attacks) is a symptom that suggests a person may have narcolepsy. Muscular weakness when angry, surprised or amused and terrifying dreams or hallucinations when falling asleep are other signs. All these signs are not necessarily present in every person who has narcolepsy. The disorder usually begins in young adulthood and is life-long.
Obstructive Sleep apnea and snoring
Sleep apnea can occur at any age, but seems to be most common in older adults who snore loudly. People with this disorder stop breathing for varying lengths of time during sleep, usually causing their sleep to be chronically disturbed. These apneas last at least ten seconds; they may occur several hundred times a night and they may be associated with severe lack of oxygen, high blood pressure, or irregularities of the heart. People with sleep apnea may never experience the normal cycle of sleep. Symptoms of sleep apnea include excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headache and heavy snoring, but daytime symptoms may only appear late in the course of the disorder. A young infant who shows any sign of apnea or breathing irregularity during sleep should be referred for diagnosis and treatment.
When people have chronic breathing problems or lung disease, their symptoms often worsen during sleep. Complete evaluation of such respiratory diseases sometimes requires measurement of blood oxygenation during sleep.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic leg movements in sleep
RLS refers to discomfort in the legs when awake. This can interfere with normal time to fall asleep. People who have periodic leg movements (nocturnal myoclonus) during sleep may not get proper rest and feel they have either insomnia or excessive sleepiness.
Nightmares and night terrors
Nightmares are frightening dreams which can later be recalled; they may occur at any age. Night terrors are often accompanied by an anguished scream, yet the victim seldom recalls the experience; they generally disappear after adolescence. The causes of nightmares and night terrors are unknown.
Bedwetting, sleepwalking and sleeptalking
These disorders are common in childhood. Bedwetting is particularly common and, in most cases, the cause is unknown. Sleepwalking is also common in childhood and can be dangerous. Sleepwalkers should be protected by reducing the risk of falling and removing other dangers from their room. Sleeptalking is also common. It is usually incomprehensible and rarely of psychological significance. Most important is to determine whether the troublesome behavior is benign or a sign of sleep-related epileptic seizure.
Evaluating Sleep Disorders at Straub's Sleep Disorders Center
Most of the disorders described can be effectively treated once they have been accurately diagnosed. It is important to emphasize that correct treatment can be undertaken only after the real medical problem has been identified.
The first step is to make an appointment for an initial evaluation by a physician or trained sleep specialist working with a physician. After your appointment is made, you should ask your personal physician to send us your medical history and provide any information available about your sleep-wake problem. This may save you time and expense.
If a sleep study is recommended, you may spend one or two nights at the Center for sleep recordings, called polysomnograms. Each sleep room has sophisticated electronic equipment for monitoring sleep patterns, breathing, heart activity and body movements throughout the night.
The information gathered will be reviewed by the professional staff of the Center and recommendations regarding treatment will be discussed with you and your referring physician.
Self referrals and physician referrals are welcomed.
Fees
Diagnostic services from a hospital-based Sleep Disorders Center are accepted medical procedures and are covered by most insurance providers. Contact your insurance carrier about your specific policy coverage. Straub physicians participate with HMSA and Medicare and accept 150 kinds of insurance.
The Straub Sleep Disorders Center has been offering comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services since 1982 to people of all ages who have suspected sleep-related disorders. Such disorders include difficulties in falling asleep, staying asleep or remaining awake, such as:
- insomnia or trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or awakening too early
- excessive daytime sleepiness
- breathing irregularities during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea)
- heavy snoring
- sleep-wake schedule problems/sleep problems related to shift work
- narcolepsy
- nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep-talking
- disturbing leg movements before or during sleep
The Center's services are provided by health professionals with special expertise in Sleep Disorders Medicine and in consultation with specialists in Ear, Nose and Throat, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pediatric Neurology, Pulmonary Medicine, Urology, Psychiatry and Psychology.
For More Information, contact the Sleep Disorders Center at (808) 522-4448. Neighbor island residents may call toll free, 1 (800) 232-9491, ext. 4448.
Professional Staff
Director
- James W. Pearce, M.D.
Board Certified in Sleep Medicine
Associate Director
Clinical Associate
Consultants
Ear, Nose, Throat
- T. Roy Kaku, M.D.
- Alfred O. Park, M.D.
Pediatric Neurology
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
- Robert W. Schulz, M.D.
- Randolph K.M. Wong, M.D.
Psychiatry/Psychology
- William T. Tsushima, Ph.D.
Pulmonary Medicine
- Roy S. Adaniya, M.D.
- Elaine M. Imoto, M.D.
- Patrice Weiner, M.D.
Urology
Sleep Disorders Center of the Pacific
888 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
1-808-522-4448