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So you
think you may have sleep apnea and you need to find a sleep center?
Ask your doctor for a referral. Or look for one yourself. Centers
accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine would be a good
choice. Sleep centers that are accredited will be well staffed and
monitored. A sleep center should be open during the daytime for
questions, and should be easy to find in your phone book. Those
that aren't may not be well-run operations.
A doctor certified by the American
Board of Sleep Medicine could be the best choice for you. These are
actually specialists in a regular medical field, such as neurologists, psychiatrists, and pulmonologists. These individuals
have sought the extra certification provided by the American Board
of Sleep Medicine.
The test you are looking for is called a sleep study. At
the sleep center, technicians hook sensors to your body to monitor
your brain waves, heartbeats, and breathing. Then, of course, you
go to sleep! The sensors collect the data the doctor needs while
you sleep. You may be very surprised to find out that you are nearly
waking up hundreds of times per night!
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