Sleep Disorders

Snoring - A Sign of the Most Common Sleep Problem

Snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a serious disorder that causes breathing difficulty during sleep. Loud snoring may be the signal that something is seriously wrong. It occurs because the airway is not fully open, and the noise of snoring comes from the effort to force air through the narrowed passageway. With sleep apnea, there are pauses in breathing during sleep that result in lower levels of oxygen in your blood. If you are experiencing chronic fatigue or daytime sleepiness or are waking up tired every day, you may have sleep apnea, which is associated with an increased risk for heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, as well as a higher risk of having an automobile accident.

Fighting for Oxygen: Your body will fight to get the oxygen it needs. If your airway is constricted, it may wake you up a little or it may wake you up a lot. In either case, the depth of your sleep will be impaired. As a result, you will be tired the next day, and the cycle will have a negative effect on your health.

Quality of Life: 18 million Americans have sleep apnea .Only 10% are being treated and 90% are living with unnecessary health risks and discomfort. Treatment can improve overall health and quality of life.

Not all snorers have sleep apnea. A proper diagnosis is essential to rule out this condition. If you feel you have a problem, you should first consult with your primary physician. If your physician feels you need a sleep study, you may be referred to the Sleep Center at Phelps for evaluation.

The Sleep Center at Phelps: The Sleep Center at Phelps is a state-of-the-art diagnostic facility dedicated to diagnosis of sleep disorders. The Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the gold standard by which the medical community and public evaluate sleep disorder programs.The Sleep Center is capable of diagnosing a full spectrum of sleep disorders. Using the latest diagnostic equipment, our credentialed staff can determine if you are experiencing sleep apnea or other less common sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy or chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients enjoy comfortable, private rooms.

We also offer sleep studies for children under the guidance of a Board Certified Pediatric Sleep Specialist.

Evaluate Your Sleep: Having a sleep diagnostic evaluation can change your life.

We invite you to fill out the questionnaire that is provided below and discuss it with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about snoring, fatigue, and other sleep problems. If you and your doctor feel that you would benefit from a sleep evaluation, the staff of the Sleep Center is prepared to provide a complete diagnosis at our state-of-the-art sleep center.

Patient Sleep Quiz - Please check all that apply:
I snore.
I wake up tired.
I wake up gasping.
I wake up with a sore throat.
I have trouble losing weight.
I frequently wake up to use the bathroom.
It is hard for me to stay awake while driving.
I have fallen asleep while laughing or crying.
I wake up with pain and numbness in my legs.
I have difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep.
I have been told that I stop breathing while I sleep.
My child has behavioral problems.

If you checked off any of the boxes, you (or your child) might have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. Consult your physician about having a sleep study...Take your first step toward a healthier life.

How We Can Help

The Sleep Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of snoring and sleep apnea. The expertise of our physicians, technologists, and therapists, combined with advanced diagnostic technology, offers you and your physician an in-depth diagnostic evaluation and appropriate treatment options.

The sleep study records your sleep patterns, which include activities of your heart, lungs, brain, muscle movements, air flow, and oxygen levels in your blood. The test will be performed overnight in the hospital as an outpatient procedure.

Accommodations: Sleep Center accommodations feature 6 bedrooms with cable TV and private bathrooms.

Cost: Our fee is reasonable and is covered by a majority of insurance companies and managed care organizations. Check with your insurance company to determine if a referral from your physician is required.

Contact: For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (914) 366-3626.

The Sleep Center Medical Staff includes pulmonologists Gary Lehrman, MD, FCCP, Medical Director, and Charles Abate, MD, FCCP.who are both Board Certified in Sleep Medicine, and Michael Bergstein, MD, FACS, Surgical Director. Nadav Traeger, MD, who is Board Certified in Pediatrics an Pediatric Pulmonology, performs sleep studies for children.

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