Sleep doctor speaking with a patient about sleep therapy masks
Sleep doctor speaking with a patient about sleep therapy masks
Sleep studies, sleep apnea treatment and insomnia care at Ballad Health

Sleep Conditions

Overview

If you're experiencing drowsiness during your daily routine, it's possible that you could be living with a sleep condition that needs treatment.

The quality of your sleep can affect your enjoyment of day-to-day life and overall health. If you're feeling tired during the day or have trouble getting to sleep, you may be among the millions of Americans diagnosed with a sleep problem, such as insomnia, sleep apnea or heavy snoring.

Luckily, sleep conditions are highly treatable. There are several diverse treatment options that a sleep care specialist can recommend depending on your diagnosis.

Ballad Health is proud to have certified sleep care providers all throughout the Appalachian Highlands. You can trust our team to help you rest easier.

Why is sleep so important?

A good night's sleep is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. Many Americans struggle with tiredness throughout their daily lives – many citing detrimental effects, such as drastic changes in mood, headaches and an inability to stay focused.

Studies have also shown that driving on a lower amount of sleep can significantly increase your chances of an accident.

Getting to sleep is only the first step. You also want to ensure that you're staying asleep and that your rest is productive. Without a good night of sleep, you may find it harder to function throughout your day.

Source: NSF 2020 Sleep in America Poll & the Sleep Research Society

Conditions We Treat

  • Circadian rhythm sleep disorder (CRSD)
  • Insomnia
  • Nightmares and night terrors
  • Perodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
  • REM behavior disorders
  • Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
  • Sleep apnea
  • Sleepwalking

What to expect

What is sleep apnea?

If you are a loud snorer or feel drowsy even after a full night's sleep, you may be living with sleep apnea.

When you have sleep apnea, your breathing continuously stops and starts while you sleep. There are varying degrees of sleep apnea, but they can all lead to serious issues.

The most common form of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea – where the muscles relax in your throat and block your airway. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to increases in blood pressure, a greater risk of heart attack and constant fatigue.

If you think you may have obstructive sleep apnea, your sleep doctor may recommend an at-home sleep test.

Find out if you're at risk for obstructive sleep apnea by taking the STOP-Bang self-assessment below.

Download the STOP-Bang Obstructive Sleep Apnea Self-Assessment [PDF, 35.2 KB]

Our sleep services & treatment options

You can count on our experienced Ballad Health sleep care team to diagnose and treat your sleep disorder.

At Ballad Health, we have dedicated and experienced sleep care specialists that can go over your sleep test results and help you find the treatment solution that will work best for you.

Depending on your symptoms or condition, your doctor may recommend:

  • Home sleep study
  • Sleep diagnostic testing (sleep study)
  • Continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) therapy
  • Positive airway pressure (PAP) nap – A short, daytime sleep study to help you get used to the equipment used to treat a sleep condition

Respiratory care

Breathing conditions such as sleep apnea and snoring can make it hard for you to sleep soundly. If you're living with one of these conditions, your provider may recommend respiratory care services at Ballad Health.

What is a sleep study?

As part of your treatment, your sleep care specialist may ask you to take part in an overnight sleep study.

A sleep study is a way for us to track your body's activity while you sleep. There are several different types of sleep studies, but they all work to give valuable insight into what sleep condition you may be living with.

Some studies are done on site, while others can be completed in your home. We strive to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible, which is why all sleep center rooms are designed to feel like a home away from home.

What happens during a sleep study?

During a sleep study, trained lab technicians will monitor your sleep patterns.

All monitoring is done remotely, so you don't need to worry about someone watching you while you sleep.

Once your sleep study is completed, a Ballad Health sleep doctor will evaluate your test results and contact you to discuss your diagnosis and suggest a treatment that's right for you.

Frequently asked questions about sleep tests

Here are some of the most common questions we hear about sleep studies at Ballad Health.

Can I do a sleep study from home?

Yes! Home sleep studies are an option for some people. Our at-home sleep exams are used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

What if I can't sleep during my sleep study?

Even when you're unable to get a good night's rest during a sleep exam, our team is gathering useful data. Oftentimes, the problem that's keeping you awake is what we're looking to solve.

Sleep exams are not something that you can fail. As soon as the study begins, we're listening to what your body is telling us about your condition – even when you're still awake.

Can my spouse or significant other stay with me during my sleep study?

While we understand that some people are made more comfortable sleeping alongside their significant other, this can often disrupt data collection for our sleep specialists. This is why we ask that you sleep alone when visiting a Ballad Health sleep center.

However, we do understand that some individuals may require assistance to participate in one of our sleep studies. In this case, we will make arrangements for the caretaker to sleep in another room in our facility.

My child is participating in a sleep study. Can I stay in the same room?

All Ballad Health pediatric sleep centers require the presence of a parent or guardian during a child's sleep study.

Our rooms for children include an extra bed to accommodate parents during the sleep study.

Does someone watch me sleep? Will someone be in the room with me?

During our sleep examinations, we will never have someone in the room watching you sleep. All of our monitoring is done remotely through a control center.

Once you are ready for bed, it will feel like any other night of sleep.

I can only sleep in a recliner. Do I have to sleep in a bed?

Many of our Ballad Health sleep centers have recliner accommodations. Ask your local sleep evaluation center if they offer recliners for sleep studies.

 

Next steps

Are you curious if a sleep study would be right for you?

Schedule a consultation with your local Ballad Health sleep care specialist. Let us help you get the sleep your body needs.

A patient laying in a bed, participating in a sleep study