Most physicians understand that sleep apnea is more serious than the snoring and that is often the first sign of a sleep-breathing disorder. Hypertension, cardio-vascular disease and even sudden death can be connected to sleep apnea. But that is just a tiny part of the whole story of sleep disorders and their potential impact on the health Ð and lives Ð of your patients.

Sleep medicine: The focused medical care sleep-disordered patients need.

Today, sleep disorders, of which sleep apnea is just one, are increasingly recognized as having serious health consequences. But there is also an increase in the number of sleep disorder cases that well-intentioned general physicians attempt to evaluate and treat on their own. The fact is, there is good reason that sleep medicine is its own specialty. There are more than 84 different sleep disorders, which itself makes accurate diagnosis challenging. In addition, symptoms and underlying causal or contributing conditions can overlap. Without specialized medical care, treatment can be nonexistent, ineffectual or inappropriate. For example, sleep apnea is left untreated for an average of seven years, and this includes patients who seek medical attention.

Sleep studies: Subtle, complex and essential.

While sleep studies are essential to detecting sleep disorders and understanding their nuances and extent, proper evaluation requires proper training and expertise. As its name suggest, polysomnography measures many aspects of sleep patterns, and there are subtleties that can indicate dramatically different findings. Today, it is all too common for these subtleties to be misinterpreted or missed altogether by physicians not truly qualified to interpret sleep study results.

Pediatric sleep disorders: Children can suffer from a variety of sleep problems, from the inability to fall asleep to parasomnias, narcolepsy, sleep apnea and more. But parents often view sleep difficulties as a normal part of growing up, not understanding the potential consequences on their child’s health and development. For example, sleep disorders have been linked to hyperactivity and attention deficit disorders. Insomnia: Insomnia is one of the more complex sleeping disorders. It can have a physiologic or psychiatric cause, and determining the root problem requires an extensive screening process. Diagnosis and treatment demand board certified expertise.

Trust your patients’ sleep problems to a sleep expert.

At Innovative Sleep Solutions, Dr. William Lucht has the training, skill and experience to handle the subtle science of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. A fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Dr. Lucht has the board certified expertise in sleep medicine that these patients need. He is also board certified in internal medicine, pulmonology and critical care medicine. Most importantly, he emphasizes continuity of care, helping you provide patients with top quality medical attention and the restful, restorative sleep they need. After testing and diagnosis, GeorgAnn Greissinger, A.N.P., under the direction of Dr. Lucht, can manage the care and treatment of complex sleep disorders. Appointments are available in our Soldotna office each week. Sleep testing is only half of the process. Continued specialized care is an essential part of sleep medicine.

Innovative Sleep Solutions can also provide the prescribed medical equipment needed to treat Sleep Apnea. Our expert staff will instruct patients in the use and maintenance of their device and follow-up to assure that they are comfortable with the results. Give your patients their best chance for an accurate diagnosis and effective, appropriate treatment for their sleep problems. Call our convenient Soldotna office today.

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Innovative Sleep Solutions

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