Sleep medicine

Sleeplessness can lead to several negative effects, both mentally and physically. If you’re struggling to fall asleep, the sleep medicine experts at Advocate Health Care’s Sleep Centers in Chicagoland are here to help.

Restless nights can cause you to be irritable or lead to depression and cause you to not be able to concentrate. Long-term sleep problems could indicate a more serious health condition or increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.

Our team of sleep doctors have the expertise and technology to help you pinpoint what’s causing your sleepless nights and provide you with the care to turn your restless nights into restful ones.

Contact us to schedule a consultation and find answers to your questions about sleep medicine.

Types of sleep disorders we treat

Advocate Health Care’s Sleep Centers use the latest sleep studies and testing methods to get to the bottom of what’s causing your sleepless nights. Our sleep doctors provide care for a number of sleep disorders including:

• Delayed sleep phase syndrome
• Insomnia
• Narcolepsy
• REM sleep behavior disorders
• Restless leg syndrome
• Shift work sleep disorder
• Sleep apnea
• Sleep deprivation
• Sleep paralysis

What happens when you see a sleep specialist?

Visiting a sleep medicine specialist can help you address sleep disorders. Your sleep doctor will begin by gathering a detailed medical history, including any past and current medical conditions, medications and family history of sleep disorders.

You'll be asked about your sleep patterns, habits and bedtime routine. This includes questions about bedtime, wake time, sleep duration, quality of sleep and any issues you experience during sleep such as snoring, breathing difficulties or restless legs. You might be asked to keep a sleep diary for a week or two, recording your sleep and wake times, naps, and anything that might disturb your sleep routine.

State-of-the-art testing

For more detailed assessment, your sleep medicine specialist may have you undergo a sleep study, also known as polysomnography. This involves spending a night at one of our sleep centers where brain activity, eye movement, muscle activity, heart rate and breathing are monitored.

In some cases, a home sleep apnea test might be recommended. This involves using portable monitoring equipment to measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels and heart rate while you sleep at home.

What will a sleep doctor do for sleep problems?

Based on the gathered information and test results, your sleep doctor will diagnose any sleep disorders and tailor a treatment plan that fits your specific needs, which may include lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, medications or use of medical devices like a CPAP machine if you have sleep apnea.

Lifestyle changes to improve sleep

The first step will be making lifestyle changes to create restful sleep habits. These changes could include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment and avoiding stimulants like caffeine and electronics.

Common treatments to improve sleep

• Prescription sleep aids: For severe sleep disorders, your sleep doctor may recommend prescription sleep aids such as zolpidem (Ambien) or eszopiclone (Lunesta) for short-term use to help with severe insomnia.
• Over-the-counter sleep aids: Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can also help, but they are not recommended for long-term use due to potential side effects.
• Melatonin supplements: Your body naturally makes melatonin on its own, but melatonin supplements may help promote healthy sleep patterns by regulating the sleep-wake cycle, especially in cases of jet lag or shift work sleep disorder.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy: CPAP machines are often used to treat obstructive sleep apnea by keeping the airway open during sleep.
• Relaxation exercises: Practices such as meditation, yoga and deep-breathing exercises may help reduce stress and promote better sleep.

What you can expect at Advocate Sleep Centers

When you choose care at one of our sleep centers, you can expect:

• A multidisciplinary team: Board-certified sleep medicine specialists work with your primary care doctor to ensure you receive the best possible treatment.
• Personalized care: We tailor your treatment to your specific needs. Our recommendations can range from changing your diet or sleep schedule to treating sleep apnea with positive airway pressure.
• Convenient locations: Our clinics are easy to access from across the Chicago area. See our locations to find one near you. We also offer pediatric services for sleep disorders.