Sleep Disorders Center
Aspirus Keweenaw has a state-of-the-art facility to diagnose and treat patients with sleep related disorders. This facility can care for patients who have sleep related breathing disorders, abnormal daytime sleepiness, chronic insomnia, unusual behaviors during sleep or medical problems that might be exacerbated during sleep. The center is staffed by Robert M. Wittig, MD, who is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine and over 20 years of experience in the field.
Problems Evaluated By A Sleep Disorders Center
- Objectionable Snoring, Sleep Apnea: Irregular or interrupted breathing during sleep can cause daytime sleepiness, insomnia, high blood pressure and even death during sleep.
- Excessive Sleepiness, which can be caused by sleep related breathing disorders, narcolepsy, behavorial factors, shift work, medications or other factors.
- Chronic Insomnia, which can be caused by physiologic conditions such as restless legs syndrome, breathing disorders, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, anxiety or stress, certain medications or drugs or other factors.
- Abnormal Sleep Wake Rhythms
- Abnormal Activity During Sleep: Sleepwalking, talking, night terrors and other unusual behaviors during sleep.
Pediatric and Adult Patients
Sleep Disorders can occur at all ages. Some have particularly severe social and developmental consequences in children making early diagnosis and treatment particularly important.
Approaches to the Problem
Most sleep disorders can be treated once they are recognized and diagnosed, realizing that the different problems require different diagnositc methods and treatment strategies. A part of any treatment is patient education about the problem and the treatment alternatives. Treatments might include medication changes, schedule changes, weight loss, use of nocturnal appliances (eg. CPAP for sleep apnea), behavorial recommendations, specific medication to name a few possibilities.
Sleep Center Patient Care Procedures
After a patient's appointment is scheduled, the referring physician is asked to provide any relevant information or laboratory results. Patients are asked to complete a sleep disorders questionaire prior to their appointment. Patients living near Laurium may require more than one visit to complete a diagnostic evaluation. Those coming a long distance might be able to accomplish everything on a single visit with appropriate planning.
The Evaluation Process
On the first visit, the patient is evaluated by the physician. A complete history is taken and a physical examination pertinent to the suspected problem is performed. Copies of this evaluation are sent to the referring physician. When appropriate, special diagnostic testing, which may consist of a Clinical Polysomnogram (an overnight sleep study) for most cases, or the polysomnogram plus a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (a special test to measure daytime sleepiness) when daytime sleepiness is an issue. Many disorders can be managed without laboratory testing. The facility for the recordings is a reasonably comfortable hospital room specially equipped for the purpose of the study.
To Schedule appointments or discuss possible evaluations, call (906) 337-6570
