Sleep Disorders

At Ochsner’s Sleep Centers, specialists offer a spectrum of diagnostic sleep tests, including:

• Home sleep test or home sleep apnea test — evaluates breathing patterns during sleep from the comfort of your home
• Maintenance of wakefulness test — measures how well you can stay awake during the day
• Multiple sleep latency test — measures how quickly you fall asleep during the day and is used to detect narcolepsy
• Polysomnogram — an overnight sleep study that records breathing patterns during sleep, as well as brain activity with the added benefit of having a technician to ensure integrity of the recording technology

If you are having a sleep study that requires staying at one of our state-of-the-art Ochsner facilities, you will check into a private room with a bed and bathroom. Before the actual test begins, you will have around 30 minutes to settle in and talk with a member of our sleep staff.

Specialists with the Ochsner sleep disorders program diagnose and treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Obstructive sleep apnea — One of the most common sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea causes interruptions in breathing during sleep. You may have obstructive sleep apnea if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness or snore during sleep.
• Insomnia — With chronic insomnia, you may have trouble falling asleep or struggle to stay asleep. Short-term insomnia may be caused by stress or a change in your schedule or environment. Long-term insomnia occurs over a period longer than three months and can impact your quality of life.
• Narcolepsy — This disorder disrupts your normal sleep/wake cycles. People with narcolepsy can experience sudden muscle weakness (also called cataplexy), sleep paralysis, sleep-related hallucinations and excessive daytime sleepiness.
• Restless leg syndrome — Characterized by an urge to move the legs, restless leg syndrome makes falling asleep difficult.
• Severe daytime sleepiness — Also referred to as hypersomnia, severe daytime sleepiness is often caused by an underlying sleep disorder.
• Shift work disorder — This condition affects people who work nights, early mornings or alternating schedules.

You don’t have to struggle with your sleep. Once sleep disorders are diagnosed, you can find the right treatments to improve your quality of life. Options at Ochsner include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy — This form of talk therapy can help you communicate and resolve stressful thoughts that may contribute to insomnia.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine — If you are living with obstructive sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine at night can help open breathing airways during sleep.

If your sleep disorders are due to underlying conditions or dental issues, Ochsner sleep specialists will refer you to the appropriate provider.

Ochsner can help you determine if you have a sleep disorder and provide you with the treatment you need to have better quality sleep.

A sleep disorder is a condition that affects one's ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get restful sleep. Common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy. These can lead to fatigue, poor concentration, and other health issues.

A sleep study, or polysomnography, monitors your sleep patterns to identify potential issues like sleep apnea, snoring, or other disturbances. Our experts track your breathing, heart rate, and brain activity during the study to develop a personalized treatment plan. Sleep studies can take place at one of our accredited sleep centers or even in the comfort of your home.

If you're struggling with trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling tired despite a whole night's rest, it may be time to seek help. Signs like loud snoring, gasping for air during sleep, or constant daytime fatigue could point to a sleep disorder.