Initial Sleep Evaluations at Mission Hospital

Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?  

Typically, a patient with a sleep problem will be prompted to visit a family physician by a frustrated spouse, a sleep-related injury, illness, or another event such as a job loss.   

If you think you have a sleep disorder, talk to your family physician. He or she will likely perform a physical exam and take a medical and sleep history to determine the cause of your sleep problem.  

What Your Doctor Is Looking For

During the exam, your doctor will seek to identify any medical or other condition that may be contributing to your insomnia. For example, you may be asked about chronic snoring and recent weight gain, which might suggest sleep apnea as the cause of insomnia.  

After assessment, your doctor may prescribe medication, counseling, or a change in your sleep routine. If your doctor feels that further testing is required, he may order a sleep study at Mission's Sleep Center.  We provide comprehensive services for diagnosing sleep disorders and treatment, sleep apnea and pediatric sleep services.  While the majority of patients visit the Sleep Center through a doctor's referral, we do accept self-referrals for adults.  

Your Mission Sleep Center Evaluation  

Once we receive your medical records from your family physician, we will schedule an initial consultation and provide you with a questionnaire to be filled out and returned prior to your first visit. Your sleep partner will be asked to attend the initial consultation.  Often, they can provide critical insight into your sleep habits.  

During your first visit, one of our certified sleep medicine physicians will conduct an interview and a physical exam.  For example, if you are suffering from excessive snoring, the doctor will examine your airway and listen to your chest.   

Your sleep medicine physician may recommend testing in the sleep laboratory either overnight and/or during the daytime. Once your disorder is diagnosed, a treatment plan will be designed specifically for you. As part of your sleep disorder treatment, your physician may recommend a consultation with a sleep psychologist, psychiatrist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), dentist or a physician specializing in weight reduction.  

Diagnostic Tests Used     

• Sleep Diary: Your doctor may ask you to keep a sleep diary for a few weeks as a way to better understand your sleep patterns.

• Epworth Sleepiness Scale: a validated questionnaire that is used to assess daytime sleepiness.

• Polysomnogram: an overnight sleep study measuring stages of sleep, breathing, snoring, and oxygen levels during sleep.

• Multiple Sleep Latency Test:  a test performed during waking hours that measures your ability to stay awake.

• Actigraphy: a test to assess sleep-wake patterns over time. Actigraphs are small, wrist-worn devices (about the size of a wristwatch) that measure movement.

• Mental Health Exam: Because insomnia may be a symptom of depression, anxiety, or another mental health disorder, a mental status examination, mental health history, and basic mental evaluation may be part of your initial assessment.  

---

Take the first step to a better night's sleep.  

You don't need to suffer with poor quality sleep or daytime sleepiness.  If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 828-213-4670 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.  You can also fill out our Online Pre-Screening Form and a Sleep Center Representative will contact you about your concerns.

The Sleep Center does accept self referral but always talk to your Primary Care Provider about what is best for you.  If you already have an appointment for a sleep study, be sure to print and fill out the Sleep History Questionnaire and bring it your appointment.