• Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS)
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
• Periodic Leg Movement Disorder (PLMD)
• Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS)

We have trained professionals who clinically monitor and/or apply therapy devices such as Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) therapy to patients.

Our Sleep Clinic offers a sleep consultation service for patients experiencing sleep related problems, such as Primary and Secondary Insomnia, Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) and Circadian Rhythm Disorders.

Patients experiencing these sleep related problems can be seen by Dr. Michael Weissberg who is board certified in sleep medicine and psychiatry. The Sleep Clinic also includes the following specialists: Dr. James Grady, Dr. Thomas Minor, Dr. Marilyn Newsom and Dr. Hunter Smith.

Our team of professionals is made up of:

• Board certified pulmonologists
• Board certified neurologists
• A psychiatrist who is board certified in sleep medicine
• A psychologist who is board certified in sleep medicine
• Registered polysomnographic technologists (RPSGT)

Overnight Sleep Studies

An overnight sleep study conducted in the laboratory is considered the gold standard to accurately diagnose sleep disorders.

In order to fully understand your sleep, various brain activities and physiological systems (i.e. cardiopulmonary function) and their relationships will be observed throughout the night.

After the study, a sleep specialist will review and interpret the record to help you and your physician understand your specific sleep patterns and sleep problems.

Once the report has been interpreted a copy will be sent to your physician. This process usually takes two weeks.

How should I prepare for the sleep study?

Follow these guidelines on the day of the study:

• Avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate) after 12 noon
• Do not take any naps
• Avoid alcohol
• Wash hair with shampoo only; dry hair and do not apply hair sprays, oils or gels
• Pack an overnight bag as if staying at a hotel; you may bring your own pillow; please bring clothes to sleep in
• If you have any special needs, advise the sleep center so they can accommodate you

Should I take my usual medications?

Certain medications can affect sleep and the interpretation of a sleep study, so please consult your physician regarding the discontinuation/continuation of any medications prior to coming to the lab.

What will happen when I arrive at the sleep disorders lab?

The technician will greet you and show you to your bedroom. You will be shown the equipment that will be used and given a chance to ask questions. Then you will be given the opportunity to change into your nightclothes and get ready for bed.

Next, two dozen sensors will be applied to the skin of your head and body. These sensors monitor brain waves, muscle movements, eye movements, breathing, snoring, heart rate, oxygen saturation and leg movements. Finally, the technician will familiarize you with the variety of Positive Airway Pressure masks available and put you to bed.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

During sleep the muscles that tend to stiffen and open the throat tend to relax in normal children and adults. This relaxation leads to a slight narrowing of the throat that does not cause any problem for most people.

However, for people with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), this narrowing of the breathing passage is so great that breathing becomes compromised. The brain then senses that breathing is difficult and increases the effort to breathe. Eventually, this increased effort awakens the brain, which signals the throat muscles to become active again, which reopens the breathing passage.

What causes Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome?

An upper airway obstruction causes OSAS. Upper airway obstructions can result from:

• Extra fatty tissue in the neck that effects the size or shape of the breathing passage
• Decreased tone of the muscles holding the airway open
• Nasal obstruction
• Smaller than normal jaw, large tongue or enlarged tonsils

How many people have OSAS?

It is estimated that:

• 4 in 100 middle-aged men have OSA
• 2 in 100 middle-aged women have OSA
• Most OSA sufferers remain undiagnosed and untreated

What are the warning signs of OSAS in adults?

You may have OSAS if you experience the following symptoms:

• Excessively loud snoring
• A pattern of interrupted breathing such as pauses, then gasps, can be a sign that breathing is impaired; usually people are not able to recall these episodes in the morning
• Excessive daytime fatigue and/or falling asleep at the wrong times, such as at work or while driving
• Difficulty concentrating, or becoming forgetful, irritable, anxious or depressed
• Weight gain
• Morning headaches or nausea
• Frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate at night
• Loss of interest in sex; men may complain of impotence
• Women may have menstrual irregularities

What are the warning signs of OSAS in children?

Your child may have OSAS if he or she:

• Is overweight
• Has enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids
• Has birth defects that effect the size and shape of the throat, face or chin, such as Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)
• Snores or squeaks while sleeping
• Experiences difficulty breathing while asleep
• Sleeps fitfully
• Has daytime hyperactivity
• Seems sluggish and/or performs poorly in school

What happens if Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome is not treated?

All individuals respond differently to this disorder, however scientific studies have linked OSAS to:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Decreased quality of life
• Weight gain

What is the most effective way of treating OSAS?

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) is a highly effective therapy for OSAS. During this therapy, a light mask is worn over your nose (or nose and mouth for mouth breathers) during sleep.

A small, quiet air pump is attached to the mask via a long tube, so that air under pressure enters the nasal passages and into the throat. This gentle air holds the throat open and allows normal sleep and breathing.

Scheduling Appointments

A referral from your physician is required to schedule an appointment. The Boulder Community Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Lab is located at 1000 Alpine Ave., Boulder.

To schedule an appointment please call 303-938-5354.

Additional Services

Free mask fitting sessions are offered for Sleep Disorders Lab patients; this is a highly recommended service for it ensures that patients get the best fitting PAP mask.

A complete line of ResMed and Respironics’ products is available for purchase or rent (i.e. masks, CPAP machines, tubing, humidifiers, etc); a physician's order is required for all rentals or purchases.

Auto-titration CPAP machines are available for rent or purchase.

Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) and Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT) are available. Note that these tests must be scheduled in conjunction with an overnight polysomnograph (PSG).

Daytime sleep studies can be conducted for patients who participate in full time shift work (night shift).

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