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Recent Articles
Sleeping Well
Over the years I have picked up and developed various techniques which I would like to call The Art of Sleeping Well, art because we can learn, adapt and adopt. Some of these are obvious and even advised by many parents. more »
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Other Advantages of a Sleep Study
Folks other than those who suspect they may have a sleep disorder can benefit from a sleep study at Alto Sleep Clinic. more »
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Detecting Sleep Apnea
One of the most common of the sleep disorders is "sleep apnea," an interruption of breathing during sleep consisting of brief periods during the night when breathing stops, accompanied by loud snoring. more »
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Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene is all about establishing and maintaining good sleep habits. Following these guidelines will lead to good sleep hygiene and will help you optimize your sleep. more »
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What's keeping you awake?
Insomnia is the most common sleep problem and it is recognizable by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, having a sense of light and un-refreshing sleep or waking up too early. more »
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Other Advantages of a Sleep Study

Folks other than those who suspect they may have a sleep disorder can benefit from a sleep study at Alto Sleep Clinic. Diagnosing sleep disorders and their effect on you and choosing the right treatment takes understanding and the tools available in a sleep lab. Here are a few examples:

Cardiac patients might benefit from a sleep study because if they have any form of sleep apnea it can add additional stresses on their heart. People that need to lift their shoulders to breathe can't do it while in REM sleep. During REM sleep your voluntary muscle control goes away. A person with narcolepsy who falls into REM sleep while sitting in a chair may fall out of it when their muscles relax. Someone with emphysema or COPD, where their lungs at best are having problems, add another level of difficulty if they have any sort of sleep apnea.

People who suffer from chronic or acute pain such as rheumatoid arthritis are often not able get adequate sleep because pain is preventing restful sleep. A sleep study can many times quantify and qualify the amount of arousal that interferes with their sleep. The results may indicate an adjustment in medications is needed. Although it's somewhat rare, there is a form of narcolepsy where one just touches REM sleep (where dreams take place). While the person appears to be physically awake and alert and talking to you, they flash in and out of REM and dream other people are present and are part of the conversation. It appears they are talking to imaginary beings and can sometimes diagnosed with a psychological condition when it's really a form of sleep disorder.