Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center

Better Sleep for Better Health

By Michelle Martin

According to statistics, approximately one-third of the U.S. population experiences some type of sleep problem at some point in their lives. Among the most common sleep disorders are sleep apnea; snoring; insomnia; excessive sleepiness and drowsiness during the day, such as narcolepsy; restless leg syndrome; shift work syndrome; and sleepwalking. Dr. David Westerman, medical director of Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center in Atlanta, suggests far more people suffer from sleep disorders than are diagnosed, however. Many people with sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, just associate it as a normal part of getting older but it isnt, he says. Others may not even know they have a sleep problem. In either case, sleep problems that go untreated can have serious complications and implications.

The most common health issues associated with sleep disorders are high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. So, many people with sleep problems are not only suffering from their sleep problems but also are battling serious, even life-threatening, medical conditions. Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center opened in 1982 as the first fully accredited sleep disorders center in Georgia for diagnosing and treating common sleep disorders. Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center expanded last year with several new locations Roswell, Cumming, Canton, and two in Atlanta. Each location offers the latest digital technology and comfortable sleep amenities for evaluation, diagnosis and treatment by board-certified sleep specialists and technicians; operating under the Northside Hospital network also ensures a comprehensive approach to patient care. Northsides expansion of multiple sleep centers offers patients all across metro Atlanta easy access to diagnosis and treatment by a hospital network that they know and trust, says Dr. Westerman. It demonstrates Northsides commitment to promote awareness of the serious medical conditions associated with sleep disorders and to provide patients with comprehensive quality care at a location that is convenient to them.

The brand new Atlanta location on Johnson Ferry Road includes a 10-bed sleep lab that features hotel-like private rooms, each with a private bathroom and comfortable amenities like individual climate control, flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi and breakfast in bed. Accommodations also are available for patients who require a special caregiver. A team of physicians, including pulmonary specialist Dr. Robert Albin, and other sleep specialists work together to review sleep studies and determine the best treatment. Having both pulmonary and sleep specialties in one facility has brought a new dimension to Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, says Dr. Westerman. Patients now have a one-stop shop for all areas of diagnosis and treatment. In addition, Northside Hospitals large network of primary care physicians throughout metro Atlanta makes referral easy and convenient to most sleep centers.

The largest percentage of patients at Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center are treated for sleep apnea. Patients are clinically diagnosed with sleep apnea if they stop breathing more than five times in an hour; 5-15 times is considered mild; 16-30, moderate; and 30 or more times per hour, severe. Sleep apnea is twice more common in men than women, especially men who are overweight and age 50 or older. Dr. Westerman suggests that primary care physicians and cardiologists can play an important role in recognizing symptoms of sleep apnea among their patients. The STOP questionnaire is a useful tool to screen such patients. STOP refers to snoring, feeling tired during the day, observed breathing pauses, and high blood pressure. Patients with any two out of the four signs should be evaluated for sleep apnea. In addition to the health risks of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke, sleep apnea also can take an emotional and mental toll on patients leading to depression, memory loss and inability to focus, and poor work performance. Dr. Westerman recalls a former assembly line worker who was diagnosed with sleep apnea, but did not accept immediate treatment and subsequently was fired after falling asleep on the job. Once sleep apnea affected his livelihood, of course he wanted immediate treatment so he could work again. Sleep apnea has all sorts of complications and implications even causing marital problems, when snoring keeps spouses from sleeping in the same bed.

The most common treatment for moderate or severe sleep apnea is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy. A CPAP unit pumps in air through the nostrils via a mask to open the airways so patients can breathe normally. Less severe sleep apnea may be treated with alternative approaches, such as an oral appliance, weight loss and changes in sleep positions. Surgery to the upper airway, for the most part, is no longer regarded as a first-line treatment option, except for a tonsillectomy in children with sleep apnea. Dr. Westerman says he advises patients individually as to which course of treatment is best based on their needs and situation. Where there are choices, I explain the pros and cons of each. But, if I feel the CPAP is essential, then thats what I recommend. Its important to me to make my patients as informed as possible about their condition and treatment.

As the CPAP masks have become more comfortable for patients, compliance as well as improved sleep and health has increased. Patients are re-evaluated within 30 to 90 days to ensure the CPAP device is comfortable and is being used the recommended amount of time (four to seven hours each night, at least 70 percent of the time, per insurance standards). Our compliance history at Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center is more than 80 percent, which is much higher than the average, Dr. Westerman says. People dont have to suffer with sleep apnea and all the health risks associated with it. With proper treatment, they can sleep better, improve their blood pressure and reduce their need or dosage for medications. All that leads to an overall healthier and more enjoyable quality of life.

Northside Hospital Sleep Disorders Center
404-236-8200

993-C Johnson Ferry Road
Suite 100, Atlanta

5505 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite 580, Atlanta

1357 Hembree Road
Suite 120, Roswell

1100 Northside Forsyth Drive
Suite 230, Cumming

15 Reinhardt College Parkway
Suite 104, Canton

State-of-the-Art Digital Technology
In-Lab & Home Sleep Studies
Variety of Treatment Options
Most Insurance Accepted
5 Convenient Clinic Locations
Centralized Scheduling

Insomnia
Snoring
Sleep Apnea
Excessive Sleepiness/Drowsiness
Narcolepsy
Restless Leg Syndrome
Sleepwalking & Other Sleep Behaviors