Sleep disorders

HCA Florida North Florida Sleep Center is a modern facility equipped with advanced technology and staffed by experienced sleep specialists. As an Accredited Sleep Center by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, we are recognized for our expertise in performing on-campus, overnight sleep studies and home sleep testing.

Our sleep disorder clinic, located on our hospital's campus, is equipped with six total testing suites, including two accessible suites to accommodate patients in wheelchairs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Our sleep medicine physicians are certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Alongside registered technologists and therapists, they use the latest equipment to monitor your sleep and make an accurate diagnosis for your sleeplessness.

Each room is furnished with a queen bed, large sleep recliner and private bathroom to create a comfortable, home-like environment. Additionally, each room is equipped with a flat screen television and wireless internet.

HCA Florida North Florida Sleep Center aims to diagnose sleep disorders while they occur, which is while our patients are asleep. Because of this, the bedrooms in our sleep center are designed to feel like home. Our staff makes every effort to ensure patients are as comfortable as possible while they participate in a sleep study.

Prior to a stay in our sleep center, patients will be screened by a physician to determine how the sleep disturbances feel to them. During the night, our sleep technicians monitor brain wave activity, blood pressure, heart rhythms, muscle tone and movement in the eyes, legs and chest.

Patients usually spend one night in our sleep center. Afterward, our sleep staff works with patients to create solutions for their sleep problems at home.

What to expect during a sleep study

A sleep study, also known as polysomnography, is an evaluation of physical and brain activity that occurs during sleep. Brain waves, eye and leg movements, heart rate and oxygen levels are all recorded and measured during this exam. Sleep studies can confirm the type of sleep disorder you have. For example, someone experiencing what appears to be insomnia may actually have sleep apnea.

Overnight sleep studies conducted at HCA Florida North Florida Sleep Center are considered the gold-standard for sleep testing. However, we do also provide home sleep testing (HST). Patients who are eligible for HST must have a high pre-test probability of a sleep apnea diagnosis and no signs of co-morbid conditions. These may include congestive heart failure, neurological disorders and other conditions that would affect a patient's ability to use home testing equipment.

HST is only recommended for diagnosing sleep apnea. Patients with symptoms related to other sleep disorders should be scheduled for a sleep study at HCA Florida North Florida Sleep Center.

While a positive HST can confirm if a patient has sleep apnea, a negative result does not necessarily rule out a sleep apnea diagnosis.

Sleep disorders can also occur in children and result in symptoms such as behavioral problems and learning difficulties.

We treat the following types of pediatric sleep disorders:

• Obstructive sleep apnea — In children, this is caused by an obstruction of the upper airway, most often resulting from enlarged tonsils and adenoids.
• Parasomnias — In children, these conditions often occur during sleep or sleep/wake transitions and are characterized by undesirable movement or behaviors, including bed-wetting. Parasomnias may be present during childhood and worsen in adolescents and adults.
• Restless legs syndrome (RLS) — The symptoms of this condition are similar to those experienced by adults and include unpleasant sensations in the legs resulting in the urge to move the legs.

At HCA Florida North Florida Sleep Center, we are committed to educating our patients on the benefits of adequate sleep, the symptoms of sleep disorders and the help that is available to them.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three American adults are not getting enough sleep on a regular basis. The National Sleep Foundation says that the average adult needs eight hours of sleep per night. Despite efforts to reach those eight hours, millions of Americans still have problems feeling awake and refreshed in the morning.