Unfortunately, as many as one third of all American adults are affected by sleep disorders and 95% of patients with sleep disorders remain undiagnosed. Adults continually deprived of adequate sleep are not just irritable and worn down. They can also pose a serious threat to others by falling asleep at the wheel.

Children suffering from sleep disturbances often experience impaired waking function, socialization, and school performance, and are likely to develop multiple sleep disorders as adults. Newton Medical Center's Sleep Disorder Center can help.

The Sleep Center at Newton Medical Center was developed to diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders. Our mission is to eliminate our patients' struggle for a good night's rest and return the quality of their sleep...and quality of their lives.

There are several sleep disorders we look for here at the Sleep Center at Newton Medical Center:

o Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common sleep disorder. This disorder is caused by the tissues and/or tongue falling back and obstructing the airway while sleeping, cutting off your supply of oxygen and causing your body to struggle to breath. You will gasp for breath, perhaps feel like you are choking, and wake up with a headache, sore throat, or dry mouth. You are not aware of it, but you are constantly waking up and falling back to sleep all the time.

o Narcolepsy is a disorder that usually surfaces in the early teens to mid 20’s. There are younger children who have it and older people suffer from it also. This is usually described as people falling asleep at undesirable times. They just can’t seem to stay awake during the day even after getting a good night sleep.

o Insomnia is a disorder when you can’t sleep at night. No matter how hard you try, or how many sheep you count, you just can’t go to sleep.

o Parasomnias are a disorder when people "act out" in their sleep. Sleep talking, sleep walking and fighting in your sleep are the most common.

o Restless Leg movements are when your legs feel creepy and crawly and you are constantly trying to stretch them to relieve the pain and sensations.

o Periodic leg movements are slight twitches in your extremities that disrupt your sleep at night. You may not even be aware you are disturbed by this disorder.

o Night Terrors are a common "disorder" for children. They are awake, but still crying and screaming and not aware you are there. Children will usually grow out of this disorder by the time they reach school age.

If you have any general sleep questions or have questions about your appointment, you may call Tracy Garner, Clinical Coordinator directly at 770-385-4159.

The good news is there’s help for you or a loved one. All we require is a referral from your physician to make an appointment. You will be required to spend the night with us, or day if you work the night shift. If any of these disorders sound familiar or you know someone who is suffering from one, please call us for more information at 770-385-4156. We will be happy to talk to you or send information in the mail.