The Sleep Disorders Diagnosis
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
The Sleep Disorders Diagnosis Unit of Lowenstein Hospital examines people who have sleep disorders and get medical referrals within the community from Family Doctors, Otorhinolaryngologists and Neurologists etc. Most patients who are being addressed to the unit suffer from snoring and are subjected to risk of Sleep Apnea; some of them have motor problems, Epilepsy, Insomnia etc.
The unit consists of five beds, in which examinations are being held each night (excluding Friday). As well, the unit operates examinations on a daily basis, in order to estimate the sleepiness degree during the day; these examinations are particularly important I order to prevent car accidents and work accidents and professional drivers are being referred to them by the Ministry of Transportation.
The Head of the Sleep Disorders Diagnosis Unit is Dr. Arye Oxenberg, who works in the hospital for more than 20 years. Dr. Oxenberg, a Neurophysiologist, graduate of Master degree of Medical Science in the Technion, completed his Doctorate in Mexico and also completed his post Doctorate in sleep research in Dallas. His team colleagues are Prof. Nathan Gadot, Neurologist and children Neurologist, manager of the Neurologist Unit of “Mayanei Hayeshua” Medical Center, as well as Dr. Tatiana Vender, Neurologist and Rehabilitative Physician.
The laboratory team includes technicians of both day and night, who carry out the examinations and the interpreting the results. As well, the clinic team includes secretary and volunteers who arrive once a week.
The course of examination
After the Medical referral is being accepted at the Unit, the Laboratory delivers the patient a questionnaire and
summons to conversation. Provided that during the conversation the examination necessity is determined, than the patient arrives at the clinic on the scheduled day at 9 O’clock in the evening, and he is being admitted by a technician who connects him to electrodes and sensors in order to list biological signals during the sleep: the signals indicate eye movements, tension of muscles, brain waves, cardiac activity, respiratory function, blood Oxygen level and so forth.
Diagnosis of sleep disorders
The patient is being recorded by video and audio during the night and by six o’clock in the morning the examination is completed. Some of the patients stay for a day examination and some of them are being sent home. In the morning the staff accurately interprets the examination indications. Within 30 seconds periods, the staff examines the course and intactness of the sleep as well as the existence of a disorder and its indications. The data is summarized and within a week the patient is summoned for conclusion meeting, in which he receives the findings and references for treatment. He receives the report and delivers it to the addressing physician.
The Sleep Disorders Diagnosis Unit of Lowenstein Hospital also conducts research activity over the recent years regarding the influence of different factors on respiratory disorders during sleep: body position, obesity etc. Additionally, it held sleep researches on people with head injuries who stayed in the Hospital.
The medical staff of the Sleep Disorders Diagnosis Unit includes Dr. Arye Oxenberg and Professor Nathan Gadot.