No more sleepless nights

Nawaloka Hospital has added state-of-the-art sleep laboratory which is now fully operational. Sleep studies are tests that allow doctors to observe what happens to your body during sleep which enables them to identify sleep related disorders and assess its severity.

"Sleep studies are important because untreated sleep disorders can increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, hormonal disorders like impotency and motor vehicle or work related accidents. Getting quality sleep is essential as sleep is just as important as having good nutrition and exercise" said Director/General Manager Nawaloka Hospitals, Professor Lal Chandrasena.

The sleep laboratory is manned by an experienced team including a senior medical officer and nurses who provide the highest quality of care for the evaluation and treatment of people with sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders do not only affect adults. As many as one out of three schoolchildren may suffer from sleep problems at some time in their lives, with many going undiagnosed. According to Prof. Chandrasena, amongst the common sleeping disorders are snoring [breathing through the mouth and nose during sleep] and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) which is a cessation of breathing many times during sleep for longer than 10 seconds at a time, when the muscles of the tongue, throat and larynx loose their elasticity and collapse during sleep thus resulting in a blockage of air flow into the lungs. "Untreated sleep apnea could result in day time fatigue and sleepiness, morning headaches and dry mouth, loss of memory and concentration, irritability and depression, high blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular risk, such as strokes and heart attacks."

Prof. Chandrasena said that diagnosis can only be provided by a specialized test known as polysomnography which is conducted at Nawaloka Hospital's sleep laboratory.

"Specialized Oral appliances sometimes relieve snoring and mild sleep apnea, while in more severe cases, a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure? (CPAP) device may be essential".

Prof. Chandrasena said that the benefits of treatment are tremendous, resulting in a dramatic increase in daytime alertness and energy levels. Snoring is abolished and a restful sleep is assured. Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide levels at night are normalized and blood pressure control is much easier, with less medication, in patients suffering from high blood pressure.

In today's high pressured environment, restful sleep is essential if one is to combat daily pressures both at work and home. At Nawaloka Hospital's sleep lab, treatment is overnight in a quiet environment, during a normal night sleeping session. Professor Chandrasena stressed the fact that no needles were involved!!

The sleep lab is managed by a team of trained doctors and nurses.