Connecticut Center for Sleep Medicine
Sleep disorders affect more than a third of the population. Many of these disorders have a significant impact on job performance, personal relationships, mood and sex drive. In addition, they can increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents, stroke, heart attacks and high blood pressure. In children, sleep disorders can affect school performance, behavior, growth and development.
Effective treatment is available for most sleep disorders. Following treatment at the Connecticut Center for Sleep Medicine, most patients can achieve better sleep and greater daytime alertness. An initial consultation is needed to determine whether or not a sleep study will be required.
The Connecticut Center for Sleep Medicine has board-certified physicians, trained at Yale and Harvard, who are experts in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders, including snoring, sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and restless legs syndrome. In addition, our Sleep Center has one of the few board-certified specialists trained in pediatric sleep medicine in Fairfield County, providing special expertise in the treatment of sleep problems in infancy through the teenage years. Our Sleep Center staff works closely with highly trained specialists in the fields of Neurology, Psychiatry, Psychology and Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat). We are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Our six-bed center, one of the largest in the state, is located on the third floor of Stamford Hospital. We are able to schedule most sleep studies within two weeks. Each patient room is furnished like a hotel room with a private bathroom, a large recliner chair and a TV and VCR to make your stay as comfortable as possible. In addition, the rooms are large enough to accommodate a caregiver who might want to spend the night with the patient.
Pediatric Sleep Disorders
Approximately 20 percent of people experience sleep problems in childhood.
Does your child:
- Constantly snore?
- Have irregular breathing when asleep?
- Engage in violent movement when sleeping?
- Appear tired during the day?
- Seem hyperactive?
- Have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night?
- Have difficulty waking up in the morning?
These symptoms are warning signs that indicate the possibility of a childhood sleep disorder. Approximately 20 percent of people experience sleep problems in childhood. Sleep disorders are linked to lower grades and poor IQ scores. Also, children with sleep disorders mistakenly may be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and given unnecessary medication.
The Connecticut Center for Sleep Medicine specializes in diagnosing and treating children. Dominic Roca, M.D., director of sleep medicine, has specialized training in pediatric sleep medicine, having trained with Dr. Richard Ferber (author of the best-selling book, Solving Your Child's Sleep Problems), an internationally recognized expert in his field.
Some of the more common sleep disorders in children, their definitions and treatments are listed below:
- Sleep apnea is a disorder characterized by repetitive episodes of blockage of the throat that occur during sleep. Approximately 3% of children have sleep-disordered breathing. Children with this disorder often snore and have learning or behavioral problems. A diagnosis is made with an overnight sleep study. Treatment consists of minor surgery, a nasal mask or orthodontic manipulations.
- Restless legs syndrome is a disorder associated with discomfort in the limbs. This sensation often makes going to bed or sitting for a long period of time very difficult. Medications are very effective at treating the disorder.
- Narcolepsy is a disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, sudden weakness in the body, hallucinations and a sensation of not being able to move. It is easily treated by a combination of medications.
- Phase delay is a condition where the child has difficulty falling asleep at night and waking in the morning. This situation is treated with behavioral modification in combination with light therapy.
- Insomnia is a disorder characterized by an inability to sleep. Children with insomnia often have difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Treatment usually consists of behavioral modification.
- Sleep onset association disorder is usually characterized by a baby's inability to fall asleep alone. Behavioral treatment is usually very effective.
- Limit setting sleep disorder is characterized by children who constantly refuse or stall going to bed. Behavioral treatment is usually very effective.
To better understand your child's sleep disorder, a sleep study often is performed in our facility. The child must be over a year old and must be accompanied by a caregiver or parent who will spend the night in a homelike setting. Using stick-on electrode patches, the study measures a child's respiratory muscles, airflow, leg movements, brain waves, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, eye movements and heart activity.
While childhood sleep disorders are common and oftentimes serious, they are usually easily treated. Our team of specialists will work closely with your pediatrician to restore healthy and refreshing sleep to your child.
Most insurance companies cover the cost of evaluating, testing and treating sleep disorders. The center's staff can assist you and your doctor in obtaining the necessary pre-authorizations from your health plan.
If you would like your child to be evaluated to see if a sleep disorder is causing problems, talk to your pediatrician. Ask him or her for a referral to a board-certified sleep specialist. Alternatively, you can call us directly at 203-276-2300.
Do you have a sleep disorder?
The following is a questionnaire that you can use to determine if you or your child may have a sleep problem:
- Do you have difficulty sleeping through the night?
- Are you sleepy during the day?
- Do you frequently snore loudly?
- Have you been told that there are short periods when you stop breathing at night?
- Are you a restless sleeper?
- Do you walk in your sleep?
- Do you act out your dreams?
- Do you have morning headaches?
- Do you have un-refreshing sleep?
- Do you ever feel like you can't move when either going to bed or waking up?
- Do you ever get sudden episodes of weakness in any part of your body during emotional moments?
- Do you get an irritable or creepy feeling in your legs that improves when you move?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a serious sleep disorder and should contact your primary care doctor. Or, you can call our Sleep Center directly for more information at 203-276-2300.