Neurosciences

Centers of Care

Sleep Medicine

Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center: 715-858-4150
Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center: 1-800-699-3377
Marshfield Clinic Weston Center: 1-800-847-0016

We are supposed to spend one-third of our lives sleeping. However, studies have shown that one in three Americans suffer from some kind of sleep disorder, that is, persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying awake during the day.

It's no wonder that individuals who are chronically fatigued often experience high amounts of stress and problems in their relationships with others.

Impaired alertness from sleep-related disorders has also been identified as the cause of many accidents and declines in productivity.

Symptoms of sleep disorders may include:

Daytime sleepiness
Snoring
Restless sleep
Breathing problems
Mood changes/irritability
Difficulty concentrating
High blood pressure
Morning headaches

Sleep disorders treated at Marshfield Clinic Sleep Medicine

Narcolepsy - sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks and persistent daytime sleepiness, with possible cataplexy (sudden loss of strength with laughter or strong emotion), sleep paralysis (inability to move upon awakening) or hypnogogic hallucinations (hallucinations just before falling asleep and/or on waking up).
Parasomnias - sleepwalking, sleeptalking, nightmares, night terrors and bedwetting, or other unusual behaviors during sleep.
Restless Leg Syndrome - and/or periodic limb movement are uncomfortable sensations in the limbs, jerking or other movement of the legs or arms which tend to worsen at night or when sedentary and disrupt sleep.
Sleep Apnea - breathing irregularities during sleep resulting in a decrease of oxygen. Sleep is "lightened" but the person does not actually wake up. Apnea is usually accompanied by loud, irregular snoring.
Idiopathic Hypersomnolence - excessive daytime sleepiness of unknown cause.
Insomnia - persistent difficulty in falling asleep or staying awake.
Pediatric sleep disorders - Refers to an array of sleep disorders affecting children, including insomnia, parasomnias, sleep apnea and bedtime refusal.

How is a sleep disorder detected?

Certain medical conditions can only be detected while the person is asleep. Sleep Disorders may affect your health during waking hours, but their nature and identity are not easily recognized. In order to properly diagnose and understand the cause of sleep disturbances, the Sleep Disorders Center uses a procedure called polysomnography. In conversational terms, a polysomnography is an all-night sleep study.

The actual polysomnogram occurs at our Nationally Certified Sleep Disorders Laboratory** (Sleep Lab). Patients sleep in special rooms that are comfortable and private, yet allow for the observation and recording of brain waves, breathing, muscle activity and eye movement. All of these factors are important in determining the nature and severity of the sleep disorder.

The results from the Sleep Lab are interpreted by the neurologists at the Sleep Disorders Center, who have sub-specialty training in identifying and treating sleep disorders. Comprehensive patient consultations are provided, wherein test results are reviewed, treatment recommendations are made and management issues are considered for each unique case.

Related topics

Take a quiz to determine if you need to be evaluated for a sleep disorder.

Contact Marshfield Clinic Sleep Disorders Center

If you or someone you know may be suffering from symptoms of a possible sleep disorder, please consult your personal physician or direct your questions to one of the Marshfield Clinic Neurosciences Sleep Disorders Centers.

Marshfield Clinic Eau Claire Center: 715-858-4150
Marshfield Clinic Marshfield Center: 1-800-699-3377
Marshfield Clinic Weston Center: 1-800-847-0016

** Certified by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine ** The Sleep Center operates laboratories in Marshfield and Eau Claire.