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Flagler Diagnostic & Sleep Disorder Center
SERVICES
We at Flagler Diagnostic provide state of the art Sleep Disorder Diagnostic testing. We are an Independent facility that specializes in IN LAB Polysomnography (PSG Baseline) which determines if a patient has or does not have a form of Sleep Apnea. We then follow up with a CPAP Titration if the patient is positive which allows us to determine what pressure is needed in order to decrease or eliminate the Apnea episodes.
We also provide MSLT (Mul) for those patients who suspect Narcolepsy.
A sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG) is a test that electronically transmits and records specific physical activities while you sleep. The recordings become data that are analyzed by a qualified sleep specialist to determine if you have a sleep disorder. General monitoring of sleep and a variety of body functions during sleep, including breathing patterns, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rhythms, and limb movements. On the night of your sleep study, you will be assigned to a private bedroom in a sleep center or hospital. Near the bedroom will be a central monitoring area, where the technicians monitor sleeping patients.You will be hooked up to equipment that may look uncomfortable. However, most patients fall asleep with little difficulty. During the sleep study, surface electrodes will be put on your face and scalp and will send recorded electrical signals to the measuring equipment. These signals, which are generated by your brain and muscle activity, are then recorded digitally. Belts will be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing. A bandage-like oximeter probe will be put on your finger to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood.
PSG Baseline Study
CPAP Titration - Re-Titration
Full Night of sleep...Wake up refreshed
MSLT (Nap Test)
If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea -- a condition in which relaxation of the muscles around the tongue and throat causes the tissues to block airflow to the lungs while you sleep -- there are a number of treatment options to discuss with your doctor. Two of the most widely used and most effective are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and dental appliances, or mouth guards.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)
The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP blows air down your throat at night to keep your airways open while you sleep. The treatment is done using a CPAP machine, which consists of three main parts:
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Mask that fits over your nose -- or your nose and mouth -- and is held in place with straps while you sleep
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Motor that blows air
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Large tube called a cannula that connects the motor to the mask
CPAP machines are small, lightweight, and fairly quiet. If you travel, you should take your CPAP with you. Benefits of CPAP include keeping your airways open while you sleep, easing snoring, improving sleep quality, relieving daytime sleepiness, and lowering blood pressure.
Although you will likely feel better rested and alert once you start CPAP, getting used to the device can take some time. Some people have difficulty sleeping the first few nights of treatment.
Side effects of CPAP use are usually minor and may include:
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Feelings of confinement from the face mask
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Sore or dry mouth
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Nasal congestion, runny nose, sinusitis, or nosebleeds
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Irritation and sores over the bridge of the nose
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Stomach bloating and discomfort
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Discomfort in chest muscles.
If you are having any of these or other problems, call your doctor. An adjustment to your CPAP machine may make it more comfortable. Some CPAP machines have special features such as heated humidifiers to reduce problems such as drying of the airways. Other possible fixes include using a cushioned face mask, chin straps, and nasal saltwater sprays. Your doctor may have additional suggestions.
Mouth Devices
If you have mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and can't tolerate or haven't been helped by CPAP, oral appliances may be an effective treatment option.
The MSLT is used to diagnose narcolepsy and to measure the degree of daytime sleepiness. It measures how quickly you fall asleep in quiet situations during the day. It also monitors how quickly and how often you enter REM sleep. To ensure accurate results, it is performed on the morning following a diagnostic overnight PSG.
The multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) tests for excessive daytime sleepiness by measuring how quickly you fall asleep in a quiet environment during the day. Also known as a daytime nap study, the MSLT is the standard tool used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
The MSLT is a full-day test that consists of five scheduled naps separated by two-hour breaks. During each nap trial, you will lie quietly in bed and try to go to sleep. Once the lights go off, the test will measure how long it takes for you to fall asleep. You will be awakened after sleeping 15 minutes. If you do not fall asleep within 20 minutes, the nap trial will end.
Each nap will be taken in a dark and quiet sleep environment that is intended for your comfort and to isolate any external factors that may affect your ability to fall asleep. A series of sensors will measure whether you are asleep. The sensors also determine your sleep stage.
Excessive daytime sleepiness occurs when you are sleepy when you should be awake and alert. A board-certified sleep medicine physician will recommend an MSLT if he or she suspects you have excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy or a hypersomnia. The MSLT is offered at AASM-Accredited Sleep Centers. In order to provide the highest level of care for patients, the AASM requires a board certified sleep medcine physician to review the results of the MSLT.
