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Treatment Process

While each patient’s needs are different, the treatment process has several common stages. The different stages are designed to help the provider determine the best treatment options for you.

Your Initial Appointment

At the initial evaluation process, a sleep specialist will perform a medical evaluation, carefully review your medical history and may order blood tests to determine what physical problems might be at the root of your sleep disorder. To aid our initial evaluation, it is helpful to bring your medical records and a list of any medications you are taking. Many medications can affect sleep. It is very important to tell the sleep specialist all of the medications your are currently taking, both over-the-counter and prescription.

It may also be beneficial to bring your sleeping partner with you because, in many cases, people suffering from a sleep disorder are unaware of their symptoms.

Treatment will hinge on the specific nature of your sleep disorder. For some physical ailments, medications can often bring relief. Psychological or lifestyle related problems might call for major changes in routine, stress management, counseling or biofeedback.

If You Need a Sleep Study

Your treatment experience will depend of the results of the initial evaluation and possibly an overnight sleep study. Depending on your symptoms, you may need to have a sleep study to measure the amount and the quality of your sleep, as well as determine the source of any disruption to your sleep.

Sleep studies, which involve measuring your brain waves, muscle tone, heartbeat, breathing patterns and body movements, take place during an overnight stay in one of our state-of-the-art, soundproofed sleep rooms. Patients sleep in ordinary beds. In some cases, testing may also involve a series of naps the following day. Other tests may be ordered as appropriate.

A sleep specialist will analyze your study. Based on the results, recommendations and treatment options will be suggested to you and your health-care provider. Follow-up care is important in treating all sleep disorders.

What to Bring to a Visit

Depending on the type of your visit you may need to bring a few items or perform a few tasks before meeting with your sleep specialist.

If you are a new patient, you need to fill out the New Patient Questionnaire. You also need to fill out the registration form. Download the registration form.

What should you bring to your appointment?

• Your insurance card
• Your co-payment
• Any available medical records or prior sleep studies
• Your oral appliance if applicable
• List of any medications you are taking
• The smart card from your CPAP machine or the CPAP machine, if applicable

For More Information

If you suspect you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, ask your primary-care provider to make arrangements for a referral to the Sleep Medicine Associates. Or call us directly at (206) 386-4744 to schedule an appointment.