Sleep Disorders Institute
For more information, please call (714) 446-7240
Are you one of the millions of Americans with an undiagnosed sleep disorder? Almost everyone experiences sleepless nights occasionally, but it becomes a serious problem when it happens night after night. Sleep disorders are a constant drain on the body and can have life-threatening consequences if not taken seriously.
Whether you or a loved one suffer from snoring, insomnia, sleepwalking, daytime sleeping, sleep apnea, or one of the many other common sleep disorders, St. Jude Sleep Disorder Institute’s sleep specialists can help you rediscover a good night’s sleep. Offering the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment as well as clinical trials, St. Jude Sleep Disorders Institute is one of Southern California’s most respected sleep treatment facilities.
The St. Jude Sleep Disorders Institute brings together board certified sleep specialists, pulmonologists, psychiatrists and medical psychologists to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care. We are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Both of these distinctions reflect the remarkable quality that has made us the leading sleep treatment facility since 1984.
While over 40 million Americans suffer from treatable sleep disorders, less than a third seek help. The cost can be fatigue, irritability, lower productivity and reduced quality of life. But it could be considerably higher: auto accidents, high blood pressure, heart failure and stroke. If you or someone close to you has one of these sleep-related problems, take it seriously.
Symptoms of a Sleep Disorder to Take Seriously
- Heavy snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Chronic fatigue or sleepiness
- Falling asleep when bored
- Sleepwalking or acting out dreams
- Morning headaches
If you, or someone close to you, has a sleep-related problem, call us at (714) 446-7240. Most insurance plans include coverage for sleep disorder evaluations when ordered by a physician.
Common Sleep Problems
There are many treatable reasons why sleep may be a problem. Some of the most frequent include:
- Insomnia or Up all Night – Regardless of its cause or the form it takes—difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking too early in the morning—insomnia is the most common of all sleep disorders and is highly treatable.
- Snoring – No joke, habitual snoring can indicate a potentially life-threatening condition known as sleep apnea. A person with sleep apnea may stop breathing anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute—dozens of times each night. The interruptions in breathing cause dangerous heartbeat changes, increases in blood pressure and heart enlargement. Unaware of the problem, most apnea sufferers wake up fatigued and drained despite having spent eight or nine hours in bed.
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – Uncomfortable leg sensations that make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep may be RLS. RLS affects an estimated 4 million Americans, yet most are unaware of the cause of their insomnia and constant fatigue.
- Falling Asleep During the Day: Narcolepsy – Uncontrollably falling asleep while having dinner, talking, driving or working is typical of a chronic neurological disorder. Narcolepsy is often inherited and can be successfully treated.
- Coping with Shift Work – From manufacturers to pilots, sleepiness or fatigue caused by disrupted sleep patterns can lead to more frequent workplace errors and injuries. Shift workers also face greater health risks, such as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, as well as increases in alcohol and tranquilizer use.
- Children are affected too – Children display sleep deprivation very differently than adults: poor concentration, inattentiveness, moodiness, hyperactivity, and low academic performance are common symptoms. Remarkably, chronically fatigued children are often less willing to go to bed than their well-rested counterparts and are twice as likely to have trouble falling asleep. Early intervention is important because children typically do not “grow out of” sleep problems.
The St. Jude Sleep Disorders Institute brings together board certified sleep specialists, pulmonologists, psychiatrists and medical psychologists to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and comprehensive care. We are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Both of these distinctions reflect the remarkable quality that has made us the leading sleep treatment facility since 1984.
Our Physicians
Louis McNabb, M.D.
Justine Petrie, M.D.
Margaret White, Ph.D.
Studies and Services
Sleep studies are administered by registered Polysomnographic Technologists and interpreted by our board-certified physicians. Our specialists, in partnership with your doctor, will determine the best course of treatment. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the Sleep Disorders Institute can help diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan especially for you.
The Sleep Disorders Institute uses a variety of diagnostic tools, including:
- Overnight Sleep Studies – These routine tests monitor a patient’s sleep with small, painless sensors, in comfortable, private rooms with home-like surroundings.
- Daytime Nap Studies – A daytime “nap” study or Multiple Sleep Latency Test may follow the overnight sleep study. Daytime sleepiness and alertness is measured by giving the patient four to five opportunities to nap throughout the day. A Maintenance of Wakefulness Test may also measure a patient’s ability to stay awake.
- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) – CPAP is a treatment for sleep apnea. It uses a nasal mask to open the airway. This procedure may be used during an overnight study—avoiding the need to return to the lab for a second night. Occasionally, an additional full night of CPAP may be necessary.
Additional services provided at no cost include:
- Preliminary overnight screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
- Assistance for patients experiencing difficulty adjusting to CPAP
