Approximately 20 percent to 25 percent of adults and children have sleep disorder signs and symptoms.

There have been tremendous advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related disorders in recent decades. The physicians of the UF Health Sleep Center provide a multidisciplinary approach to these disorders, including experts in neurology, pulmonary medicine, pediatric pulmonary, otolaryngology and clinical psychology. The UF Health Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and is one of the only accredited AASM centers in north central Florida.

About Sleep Disorders

• Central sleep apnea
• Elderly sleep disorders
• Irregular sleep-wake syndrome
• Narcolepsy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Pediatric sleep disorders

Types of Sleep Disorders

There are more than 80 sleep disorders, and some of them can be life threatening. UF neurologists diagnose and treat a variety of sleep disorders. Download informational presentations about each of the following sleep disorders to learn more about the condition and treatment:

• Insomnia (PDF)
• Sleep-related breathing disorders (PDF), such as sleep apnea
• Excessive daytime sleepiness (PDF)
• Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (PDF)
• Parasomnias (PDF)
• Sleep-related movement disorders (PDF)
• Epilepsy and sleep (PDF)

Symptoms

Any of the following symptoms or issues may indicate a sleep disorder:

• Difficulty staying awake, concentrating or paying attention during the day or during situations, such as driving or meetings
• Difficulty controlling blood pressure or losing weight
• Losing interest in sex and/or the ability to perform
• Feeling irritable, moody, grumpy or depressed
• Becoming limp and/or falling down when experiencing a strong emotion, like laughing or crying
• Frequently experiencing a vivid, dreamlike condition when falling asleep or awakening in which you cannot move
• Thrashing about or experiencing uncontrollable leg movements during sleep
• Snoring or a pause in breathing during sleep
• Waking up choking or gasping for breath Inability to breath while sleeping on your back
• Waking up with a rapid heartbeat
• Excessive sweating during sleep
• Headaches, dry mouth or a sore throat upon waking
• Waking up frequently to use the bathroom throughout the night

If you believe you have a sleep disorder, describe your symptoms to your primary care physician. Snoring, for example, may indicate the most common disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, which contributes to many health issues, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Resolving sleep problems may prevent more serious health problems from developing.

Procedures and Tests

Physicians and technologists at the UF Health Shands Sleep Center offer several procedures to your doctor to monitor and treat a full range of sleep disorders.

These tests include:

• Overnight polysomnography
• CPAP titration and spilt studies
• Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT)
• Maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT)

CPAP Titration and Split Study Test

The CPAP titration is a test that measures the effectiveness of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), the most popular and least invasive form of sleep apnea treatment. During a CPAP titration, you will be “hooked-up” with the same equipment as in a standard complex polysomnography, but CPAP will be added and measured as you sleep.

Split study is a complex polysomnography and a CPAP titration broken up into two sections in one night. Your doctor may order this procedure if he or she suspects sleep apnea is the cause of your symptoms. It is important that you tell your sleep technologist if you have trouble sleeping or falling asleep in certain positions. Many times, the sleep technologists are unable to get both sections of the study done in one night. In the case that your study can not be split up the first night that you are in, the UF Health Shands Sleep Disorders Center will contact you after the first study has been analyzed to schedule the treatment portion.