Procedures and Services

The Samaritan Sleep Center of Good Samaritan Hospital (GSH) evaluates sleep problems and maps out a treatment plan to help you overcome your sleep disorder.

The Sleep Center is a 6,000-square-foot facility featuring six large sleep testing suites with contemporary décor, private bathrooms, cable TV, and climate controls.

The Sleep Center testing includes:

• Polysomnography to determine sleep problems
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) titration to set treatment level
• Multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) to measure daytime sleepiness
• Maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWT) to assess ability to remain awake
• Cognitive therapy for insomnia to find sleep triggers

Millions ask everyday, “Why don’t I sleep well?” The most likely answer is that they have a sleep disorder. Quality sleep is essential in maintaining good health. If you are suffering with a sleep problem, we urge you to discuss it with your family physician or contact the Samaritan Sleep Center.

Out of Center Sleep Testing

Out of Center Sleep Testing or home sleep testing is another way to provide testing for patients who may have a sleep disorder.  In order to have a sleep test at home, you must meet standards to qualify.  These standards include:

• An evaluation by a sleep doctor in a sleep center either before, or within 30 days after the study.  If your family doctor orders the test, the doctor must write an order for out of center sleep testing, and provide a history and physical that documents symptoms of sleep apnea
• You must be able to understand the equipment enough to use it at home. Education is provided by a sleep tech who will help you with putting the device on.
• You cannot have other significant health problems such as congestive heart failure, neurological disorders, or significant COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• If you have a positive home sleep test, you must be willing to come into the Sleep Center for one night in order to set a treatment level for CPAP(continuous positive airway pressure).  The home test is for the diagnosis only.

For more information, please contact Samaritan Sleep Center at (937) 734-6180.

Common Sleep Disorders

Sleep Apnea: reduced or stopped breathing during sleep. Sleep Apnea can be either obstructive or central; the most common is obstructive.
Symptoms: loud or daily snoring, daytime sleepiness, a feeling of fatigue even though the person has had adequate sleep.  High blood pressure and obesity can also be symptoms. The most widely used and effective treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure therapy. Other treatment options include weight loss, positional therapy, an oral appliance, or surgery. Women, especially after the age of 50 may have different symptoms from men when they have sleep apnea including insomnia, nightmares or depression.

Insomnia: inability to get to sleep, stay asleep, or early awakening 3 or more nights a week for a month or longer.
Symptoms: Sleeping less than 5 ½ hours each night for more than 3 nights a week and a feeling of fatigue during wake hours

Restless Legs Syndrome or RLS: creepy, crawly, uncomfortable feeling in the legs that happens when sitting and/or at night when trying to sleep.
Symptoms:  an irresistible urge to move your legs especially when in a sitting position or at night when laying down

Narcolepsy: low levels or an absence of a brain chemical called hypocretin.  People with narcolepsy feel tired all of the time, and may have “sleep attacks”.
Symptoms: Excessive daytime sleepiness. Irresistible urge to sleep at inappropriate times.  May begin suddenly, or slowly over months or years.

Sleep talking, sleep walking, and night terrors:  All three are just what they are called, talking during sleep, getting out of bed and walking while still asleep, crying out in fear while asleep.  These are normal in children under the age of ten.  If it occurs in other decades of life, the disorders are abnormal and require treatment.

Sleep disorders that shorten sleep time or disrupt sleep can place you at a higher risk for weight gain, depression, high blood pressure, changes in blood sugar, heart disease, stroke, and fatigue-related accidents.

Evaluation appointments with a sleep specialist are available during the day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. We are open for night testing six nights a week from Sunday through Friday. Daytime testing for night-shift workers and for those studies done in the daytime is on Thursdays. Other days can be arranged by special appointment. Free sleep screenings are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Call (937) 734-6180 for more information or to schedule an appointment.  Physician referral may be necessary depending upon your insurance.