The first Step is to identify a possible disorder which will usually fall into one of the following categories:

Sleep Apnea is a serious, potentially life threatening condition that is far more common that generally understood,  This comdition arises when a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep,  The airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.  When sleep paterns are disrupted, the result is excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day or during the waking hours.

Normal Breathing: Airway is open.  Air flows freely to lungs.  Brain rests

Obstructive Sleep Apnea:  Airway collapses, airflow is blocked.  Brain is kept on alert.

----------Restless Leg Syndrome----------------------------------------------------------------

The bothersome, but usually not painful, sensations deep in the legs produce and irresistaible urge to move.  Symptoms are worse or exclusively present, when the afflicted individual is at rest and sensation are typically lessened by voluntary movement.

----------Periodic Limb Movements-----------------------------------------------------------

Jerks that typically occur every 20-30 seconds, on and off throughout the night.  Often this condition causes partial arousals that disrupts sleep patterns. 

----------Insomnia---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Simply described as chronic difficulty in acquiring restorative sleep whether the problem originates in initially falling asleep, disrupted by repeated awakenings or awakining too early.

Once symptomes have been established, Dr. Vorse will order a sleep study, most likely in one of our offices.  The sleep study or polysomnogram (PSG) messures your bodily functions and activities during sleep, including EEG, EKG, muscle tone, oxygen levels, breathing effort, airflow, eyemovements, leg movements and snoring.  Our sleep lab is equipped with Sealy Posture Pedic mattresses, a relaxingnon-clinical enviroment and is attended by a registered technician trained in the field.  The technician will acquire the data via wireless, state-of-the-art electrodes placed at appropiate sites around the head and body.

You are encouraged to bring your own pillow, bed cloths, something to read, a change of clothes for the next day and any sleeping medication you require eo fall asleep. 

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