Sleep Center

Yes, You Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Occasionally, everyone has problems sleeping. But if you regularly cannot get a good night’s sleep, or your snoring is disrupting the sleep of a loved one, you may suffer from a sleep disorder.

Sleep disorders are a common condition affecting about one out of every six people in the United States. A sleep disorder can adversely affect health, work performance, school and relationships, so it is important to seek professional help.

With prompt diagnosis and effective treatment, you can sleep, feel and live better.

Expert Help

Princeton Medical Center (PMC) Sleep Center offers adults and children expert care from a team of compassionate professionals who are committed to the study, diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related problems.

The Sleep Center is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a professional organization dedicated to assuring quality care for patients with sleep disorders, advancement of sleep research, and public and professional education.

AASM accreditation is the gold standard for sleep centers, ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality care in providing comprehensive clinical sleep medicine, including diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with a variety of sleep disorders.

Comprehensive Care

Our comprehensive services include:

Daytime assessments of sleepiness
Home sleep studies
Overnight sleep studies

Our multidisciplinary treatment team is led by a specialist who is board certified in sleep medicine, along with other board certified physicians, as well as technologists who are registered in clinical polysomnography (analyzing sleep studies).

Sleep disorders evaluated and treated at PMC include:

Central sleep apnea
Insomnia
Narcolepsy and other causes of excessive daytime sleepiness
Obstructive sleep apnea
Periodic limb movements
REM Behavior Disorder (acting out dreams)
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Sleepwalking and other abnormal sleep-related behaviors

State-of-the-art Sleep Monitoring

Some insurance plans require a home sleep study for evaluation of suspected obstructive sleep apnea in lieu of an in-lab study. A home sleep study test kit can be picked up at the Sleep Center by appointment, and requires a physician referral before it is scheduled. Our sleep specialists will review the results of your test with you and help you determine the next steps in resolving any issues that are identified.

Sleep studies conducted at PMC are typically performed during an overnight stay. Technologists will apply sensors and monitor you as you sleep using a state-of-the-art digital sleep recording system.

Highly precise, the system simultaneously records:

Blood oxygen level
Brainwave activity
Breathing and air flow
Eye movement
Heart rate and rhythm
Limb and other body movements
Muscle activity

Results, recorded in more than 800 digital pages of data, are used to identify any physical problems that may be causing disrupted sleeping.

Sleep studies are performed in attractive, private rooms, each equipped with a large, comfortable bed, a television, a refrigerator and a shower. Overnight studies are concluded by 6 a.m. so you can resume your daily schedule and return to work the next morning. Patients are able to stay until 7 a.m. to shower and get ready for the day. Accommodations are available for parents who stay overnight when their child has a sleep study.

If you are observed to have significant sleep apnea while undergoing a sleep study, treatment is often performed that same night using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. This is an effective therapy for improving breathing to help you sleep better. As a result, many of our patients report that the night they spend in the Sleep Center is the first good night’s sleep they have had in years.

A New, Less Invasive Surgical Option for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

For patients who do not tolerate or receive little benefit from CPAP or other treatment options for sleep apnea, a new procedure known as Inspire therapy may be an effective option that is less invasive than traditional surgical procedures. This procedure is now part of the comprehensive care for sleep disorders available through PMC’s Sleep Center.

Inspire therapy involves surgically implanting a device and related components that work to sense breathing patterns and deliver mild stimulation to maintain an open airway and promote regular breathing. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, though some patients may require an overnight stay. During a follow-up visit, the device is activated and personalized to the patient. He or she then controls Inspire with a handheld remote, turning the system on before bed and off after waking.

Appropriate candidates for the procedure are age 23 and older, diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, have a BMI of 32 or less and are unable to use a CPAP or derive consistent benefit from it.

For a select group of patients, this procedure may provide a better quality of life and long-term relief from their obstructive sleep apnea symptoms.

For more information on Inspire therapy call 609.629.3400.

Signs of a Sleep Disorder

Abnormal body movements during sleep
Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
Frequently waking up during the night
Gasping or choking in your sleep
Hyperactivity in children
Insomnia
Non-refreshing sleep
Poorly controlled hypertension
Problems with memory or concentration
Restless legs while laying down
Sleepiness when driving
Snoring

To schedule a sleep study or for any questions, please call 609.853.7533 Monday through Friday during normal business hours. After hours, you may leave a message on our answering machine and we will return your call on the next business day.