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Sleep Medicine

Overview

What is Sleep Medicine?

Sleep medicine manages disorders that affect sleep, wakefulness and the body’s circadian rhythms and falls under internal medicine. A sleep medicine specialist is a consultant physician who looks beyond simple insomnia looking into the relationship between breathing, neurological function and behaviour during sleep. Although many people believe poor sleep to be just an inconvenience, it’s a significant medical issue. If left for a long time, or untreated, it can have a severe impact on cardiovascular health, metabolic function, cognitive performance and overall quality of life. Restorative sleep is a fundamental pillar of health. Specialists in this field provide expert care for any conditions that disrupt this vital function.

Types of Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are any condition that may prevent people from achieving restorative sleep. Sleep-disordered breathing, which includes Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is the most common category and happens when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep. Snoring would be the second most common. Insomnia, which is characterised medically as a persistent difficulty in falling or staying asleep is managed under sleep medicine. Circadian rhythm disorders, where the internal body clock is misaligned, restless legs syndrome and parasomnias such as sleepwalking also fall under the sleep disorder category, as are central sleep apnoea, narcolepsy and hypersomnia.

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Many people accept poor sleep as normal, but persistent symptoms mean its time to seek medical evaluation. Key signs that indicate a need to consult a sleep medicine doctor include loud, disruptive snoring, especially when punctuated by gasping or choking sounds and excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue despite adequate time in bed. Witnessed pauses in breathing during sleep and persistent difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep (insomnia) and restless, unrefreshing sleep should also be evaluated. Morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, waking with a dry mouth or sore throat and symptoms of restless legs are other important signs. Sleepiness should not affect daily tasks like driving safety and daily function if it does, or if a partner notices any of the above-mentioned signs, a prompt professional assessment is advisable.

During a consultation in sleep medicine, the first things we would look into would be sleep habits, partner observations and overall health. As the fire route, we often perform an overnight sleep study (polysomnography). This is a comprehensive test that we conduct in one of our advanced sleep labs or conveniently at home in select cases. It monitors brain waves, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing and body movements throughout the night. Through data like this, our specialists can precisely identify apnoea events, assess sleep stages and diagnose the root cause of disruption. Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) for narcolepsy or actigraphy for circadian disorders are additional niche tests we use to provide additional insights for complex cases.

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) and Snoring
  • Central Sleep Apnoea
  • Chronic Insomnia
  • Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
  • Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
  • Narcolepsy and Idiopathic Hypersomnia
  • Parasomnias (Sleepwalking, Night Terrors)
  • Sleep disorders related to other medical conditions

With an approach that’s patient-centred and evidence-based, at NMC, we begin with thorough evaluations to create a precise diagnostic picture. Our first-line treatment for sleep apnoea often involves Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. We provide comprehensive support to ensure effective use, helping patients with everything from device fitting and mask selection to ongoing compliance monitoring and troubleshooting. In some cases and for some specific conditions, treatment may involve cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), tailored medication plans, lifestyle and sleep hygiene counselling. For complex cases, we use advanced interventions like mandibular advancement devices.

Working closely with ENT surgeons, neurologists, cardiologists and respiratory physiotherapists, our sleep medicine specialists within the NMC network provide coordinated care for any underlying conditions. Whether patients need a sleep study across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain, our service across all Emirates is designed to help them achieve the restful sleep essential for health.

Accredited specialists sit on our sleep medicine teams, who all understand the impact of sleep disorders on long-term health. They work with sleep technologists and respiratory therapists, all focused on delivering holistic care. Our specialists empower patients and are recognised for their patience and being active partners in our patient’s treatment. For anyone searching for a trusted sleep medicine specialist near them, our experts across the NMC network across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain provide care to help reclaim sleep and vitality.

FAQs

Find the Answer to Your Medical Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

As opposed to snoring, Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a serious medical condition. Snoring is the sound of turbulent airflow that causes tissues to vibrate. OSA is a complete or partial blockage of the airway, characterised by breathing pauses, oxygen drops and fragmented sleep. Not everyone who snores has apnoea but loud, persistent snoring, especially with gasping sounds, could be the first warning sign.
A sleep study is non-invasive and is a painless procedure. Patients will stay in a private, comfortable room overnight. A sleep technologist will place small sensors on the scalp, face, and chest. This will collect data on brain activity, eye movements, muscle tone, heart rhythm, breathing effort and oxygen levels.
Not necessarily. Our first-line treatment for chronic insomnia at NMC is typically Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT-I). It’s a structured programme addressing any thoughts and behaviours that may be perpetuating sleep problems. It is highly effective and avoids long-term medication dependence. Our sleep medicine specialists are trained in these techniques and may only use medication judiciously as a short-term aid or in specific situations.
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