Sleep

Overview

Sleep studies are offered at our sleep centers in Salisbury, Maryland, and Seaford and Millsboro, Delaware.

An estimated 30 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders and a majority of those are undiagnosed. If left untreated, a sleep disorder can lead to serious medical problems, including stroke, congestive heart failure and high blood pressure. Sleep disorders also increase your risk of car accidents and work mishaps. Fortunately, sleep disorders are easily diagnosed with a sleep study and can be treated before serious problems arise. Our sleep medicine providers can evaluate your symptoms, interpret sleep study results and work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

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Sleep Disorder Signs

• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Excessive daytime sleepiness
• Snoring
• Falling asleep at inappropriate times
• Twitching or kicking legs while at rest or asleep
• Low energy
• Morning headaches
• Weight gain
• Irritability and memory problems

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Locations

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Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep Apnea
A condition that causes you to stop breathing while sleeping. During sleep the muscles around your tongue and throat help keep your airway open. If these muscles relax, the airway becomes blocked. When this happens during sleep, you stop breathing for a short period of time which is called sleep apnea. If air cannot pass to your lungs for ten seconds or more, it is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA happens in both children and adults. 

Common symptoms include:

• Snoring that is usually loud and bothers others trying to sleep near you
• Gasping or choking sounds
• Breathing pauses noticed by someone watching you sleep
• Sudden or jerky body movements
• Restless tossing and turning
• Frequently waking up from sleep

Risk Factors:

• Overweight
• Smoking
• Using alcohol excessively
• Frequently taking sleep aid medications
• Family history of OSA

Insomnia
Being unable to get to sleep or stay asleep. 

Restless Legs Syndrome
Irresistible urge to move your legs or body at night. 

Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness, also called sleep attacks.

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Common Sleep Disorders in Children

Sleep Onset Association
When a child wakes in the night and is unable to get back to sleep.

Limit Setting Sleep Problems
When a child stalls at bedtime or otherwise pushes limits to avoid sleep.

Inadequate Sleep Hygiene
Trouble sleeping resulting from poor sleep habits.

Insufficient Sleep Syndrome
Failing to get enough sleep.

Rhythmic Moving Disorders
Repeated body movements such as body rocking caused by insufficient sleep.

How much sleep is needed? 

• Newborn 0-3 months: 14-17 hours
• Infants 4-11 months: 12-15 hours
• Toddlers (1-2): 11-14 hours
• Preschoolers (3-5): 10-13 hours
• School age (6-13): 9-11 hours
• Teenagers (14-17): 8-10 hours
• Adults (18-64): 7-9 hours
• Older adults above age 65: 7-8 hours

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Sleep Study Information

To schedule a sleep study you must first receive a physician’s referral. Your referring physician’s office will contact the TidalHealth Sleep Center and staff will call you to schedule the study. Prior to the day of the study, our staff will call and confirm the scheduled time and date.

The Sleep Center is available seven nights a week for your convenience.

Specialized testing and daytime study options are available for shift workers. Accommodations can be made for patients with special needs.