High-Quality Sleep Disorder Treatment
CLS Health Sleep Center is a sleep disorder treatment facility that provides professional sleep studies for adults. Our mission is to decrease the risk of medical and psychological complications associated with sleep disorders, thereby improving your quality of life. Our multi-disciplinary team of physicians is led by a board-certified sleep specialist who has more than a decade of experience in diagnosing and managing the gamut of sleep disorders.
About Our Technicians
All of our sleep technicians are Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (RPSGT) and qualified to monitor patients. Each technician has been carefully trained to provide professional and excellent care. Using the latest technology, our sleep technicians effectively monitor patients regularly throughout the course of each sleep study. At each step of the process, our patients know they are in good hands.
Sleep Studies
CLS Health Sleep Center has the capability of providing a range of sleep studies as necessitated by the patient’s specific sleep complaints and circumstances.
Most of the sleep studies are performed as outpatient procedures. All of our sleep rooms are private and have adjoining full bathrooms. Some patients may be required to have home sleep testing. Usually, this is dictated by a patient’s insurance company. Also, if clinically indicated, an in-patient study can be ordered, and the patient will be monitored in the hospital.
During the study, you will be monitored. There will be digital video recordings of you sleeping. These video recordings are completely confidential as all data is being collected on patients at the CLS Health Sleep Center. Please note: it’s not possible to obtain your video records because it requires a special software program.
Types of Studies
Common Sleep Conditions
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by a disruption in airflow, which initiates periodic episodes of non-breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can also result in an increased risk of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and other major health concerns.
Common Symptoms
- Snoring
- Choking, gasping, or snorting
- Recurrent pauses in breathing
- Frequently waking up throughout the night
- Day-time sleepiness despite adequate sleep time
- Headaches and fatigue upon awakening
Sleep Apnea Treatments
The goal of treatment is to restore airflow while you sleep. This will help reduce daytime sleepiness. There are no medications to treat sleep apnea, but there are many treatments that are effective.
Lifestyle
If you have mild sleep apnea, some changes in your daily activities may help lessen the symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol and medicines that make you sleepy
- Weight loss can lessen symptoms
- Sleep on your side instead of your back
- Avoid smoking
Mouthpiece (Oral Appliance)
If you have mild or moderate sleep apnea, your sleep medicine specialist may recommend a mouth guard. The mouthpiece will help adjust your lower jaw and tongue position to assist in keeping your airways open while you sleep.
Breathing Devices
In adults, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for moderate to severe sleep apnea. A CPAP machine is one where a mask that fits over your mouth and nose (or just your nose) is connected to a quiet machine that gently blows air into your throat. This stops your airways from becoming narrowed or blocked.
Before CPAP treatment is rendered, a sleep study will be conducted to determine the appropriate airflow settings. The CPAP equipment will be set up in your home and after the initial setup, you will occasionally have them adjusted to make sure airflow is sufficient.
Side effects of CPAP treatment include a dry or stuffy nose, irritated skin, sore eyes, or stomach bloating. If you have these symptoms, please contact your sleep specialist who will make adjustments to the CPAP machine and mask.
Surgery
In some cases, your sleep medicine specialist may recommend surgery. Surgery is performed to widen breathing passages. It usually involves removing, shrinking, or stiffening excess tissue in the mouth and throat or resetting the lower jaw.
Narcolepsy
What is Narcolepsy?
A chronic neurological disorder, narcolepsy impairs the process of regulating sleep patterns in the central nervous system, therefore disrupting the ability to stay awake or fall asleep. It is the second-leading cause of excessive daytime sleepiness after obstructive sleep apnea. Evidence suggests that the condition is genetic.
Common Symptoms
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Uncontrollable periods of sleep during the day
- Loss of muscle control during the day
- Hallucinations while falling asleep or waking
- Sleep paralysis
- Automatic muscle behavior
Narcolepsy Treatment
While there is no known cure for narcolepsy, medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies can help relieve many of your symptoms. Treatment depends on the type and severity of symptoms. Our sleep medicine specialist will develop and oversee a treatment plan that is right for you.
Medications
You may be prescribed one or more medications to treat narcolepsy symptoms. These may include:
- Stimulants to ease daytime sleepiness and raise your alertness.
- Medication to help make up for low levels of hypocretin in your brain. (Hypocretin is a chemical that helps control levels of wakefulness.)
- Medication to help you sleep at night.
- Medication to treat depression that also helps prevent cataplexy, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes may also help relieve some narcolepsy symptoms. You will be taught to develop good sleep and health habits, including:
- Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Doing something relaxing before bedtime, such as taking a warm bath.
- Keeping your bedroom or sleeping area quiet, comfortable, dark, and free from distractions.
- Exercising regularly, but not within three hours of bedtime.
- Consulting your physician before taking any over-the-counter medications.
- For several hours before bedtime, avoiding large meals, tobacco, alcohol, chocolate, and drinks that contain caffeine.
- Taking short naps during the daytime.
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
What is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)?
PLMD is characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements during sleep, ranging from a small amount in the toes to wild flailing of all four limbs. More common in the legs than the arms, these movements accumulate into episodes that last from a few minutes to several hours.
Common Symptoms
- Various levels of flexing and twitching of the muscles and limbs during sleep (as observed by bed partners).
- Partial or full awakenings that disrupt sleep
- Irritation or uncomfortable sensations upon going to sleep, or after awakening during the night
- Restless sleep
- Hot or cold feet in the morning
PLMD Treatment
If another underlying disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea causes your symptoms, your sleep medicine specialist will address it so as to decrease the severity of your symptoms. If necessary, your sleep specialist may prescribe a medication that is also used to treat RLS (see Treatment of RLS).
Treatment is administered according to the severity of the symptoms, the level of relief experienced with the medication, and any potential side effects experienced by the patient.
Treatment options for PLMD can include any of the following:
- Avoid caffeine–Caffeine can make PLMD worse so avoid caffeinated products (e.g., coffee, tea, cola, some non-cola pops [like Mountain Dew], energy drinks, chocolates, and some medications [Excedrin ®]).
- Check iron level–Your physician may wish to check your iron and folic acid levels. Low levels of these nutrients can contribute to PLMD symptoms.
- Take medications–Several different types of drugs that play a role in regulating muscle movements can be tried as a last choice in severe cases. Your sleep specialist will determine when it is medically necessary and discuss the treatment options with you.
Insomnia
What is Insomnia?
Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for a reasonable amount of time. This disorder is not defined by the amount of sleep one gets nor how quickly one falls asleep but by the quality of sleep achieved.
Common Symptoms
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Waking frequently during the night or early morning
- Not feeling refreshed after sleep
- Feeling exhausted after sleep
- Daytime tiredness and lack of energy
- Inability to concentrate
- Irritability
Insomnia Treatment
If you suffer from ongoing or chronic insomnia, a sleep medicine physician can help. A sleep medicine physician has additional training in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. He or she can help determine if there is an underlying medical cause of your insomnia. There are a variety of effective treatments for both short and long-term insomnia.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes often can help relieve short-term insomnia. See our guide to good sleep habits.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
A type of counseling called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help target the thoughts and actions that may be disrupting your sleep. You will be encouraged to develop good sleep habits and to use techniques to relieve sleep anxiety. Therapy usually takes two to three months. During therapy, you may:
- Undergo relaxation training and biofeedback to reduce anxiety.
- Work to replace sleep anxiety with more positive thinking and learn what to do if you can’t sleep.
- Talk with a therapist to help you understand why your mind races when you try to sleep and learn techniques to help you settle down.
- Work with your therapist to develop a sleep schedule that ultimately results in a full night of sleep.
- CBT works as well as a prescription medicine for many people who have chronic insomnia, and it may provide better long-term relief than medication alone.
Prescription Medicines
Many prescription medicines are used to treat insomnia, but they are not for everyone. Some medications have side effects including sleepwalking, sleep eating, or making you feel groggy the next morning. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and side effects of insomnia medicines. In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy may be more effective than medication. If depression is causing insomnia, an antidepressant drug may be combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Over-the-Counter Products
Some over-the-counter (OTC) products claim to treat insomnia and include melatonin, L-tryptophan supplements, and valerian teas or extracts. Some products that contain antihistamines are marketed as sleep aids and while they make you sleepy, they pose risks. Talk to your doctor before regularly taking sleep aids. Over-the-counter (OTC) products may not offer the best treatment for your insomnia. Talk to your doctor about your insomnia. Or ask for a referral to a sleep specialist, if you have ongoing insomnia.
Sleep Center Specialists
Bashar Zleik, MD
Sleep Medicine, Neurology
The Heights Clinic
Mahmood O. Dweik, MD
Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary & Critical Care, Hospitalist
Administration Office
Schedule An Appointment Today!
If you are experiencing fatigue, lack of concentration, or fogginess during the day or are unable to finish your work, the best thing to do is to consult a sleep medicine specialist. A sleep medicine consultation can help identify if there is an underlying cause for your sleep problems and what medical and lifestyle changes can help improve your sleep. Often, people are surprised to learn how much their sleep habits impact their overall health and well-being. Don’t wait to get the sleep you need- schedule an Appointment Today! You can book appointments through our secure patient portal, or call our customer service center 281-724-8331.
When you choose to be cared for by CLS Health providers, you can have peace of mind knowing that all aspects of your care are coordinated. Using secure electronic medical records, your CLS Health primary care physicians and sleep medicine specialists will have visibility into any test results or treatment plans. This seamless integration allows us to provide comprehensive, personalized care right when you need it.
Find Out If CLS Health Is In-Network With Your Insurance
CLS Health Insurance Information
At CLS Health, we serve patients with many types of insurance coverage, offered by many different companies and entities. CLS and its providers accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most major health plans; outlined on our insurance information page. Remember to always check with your health insurance carrier regarding specific covered services. The list grows and changes frequently. If you don’t see your insurance listed or if you have any questions, please contact us.