Sleep Technology

There are few things as frustrating in the sleep lab as a patient who can’t — or won’t — sleep. Barring the use of a sleeping pill, how can this situation be avoided? Consider the role of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTI) techniques and how these may ease insomnia during an overnight sleep study.

It is very common to have patients with occasional to frequent restless nights followed by increased sleepiness during the day, and subsequent performance issues. In addition to the immediate impact of excessive daytime sleepiness and dysfunction, there is potential to develop chronic insomnia. There is also considerable data that links chronic insomnia to increased risk for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, plus an impact on the personal safety of an individual with chronic insomnia.

 This morning I sat down at my computer and searched for “sleep apnea screening.” The first headline was “MTA to Expand Sleep Apnea Screening to Include LIRR and NYCT.”1 I took a sip of my medium roast Sumatra Mandheling and, nodding my head, said to myself, “yes, yes, screening is good.” The next headline was “USPSTF Fails to Endorse Routine Sleep Apnea Screening.”2 Out came the coffee in a fine spray on my iMac Retina 5K display.