Northern Vermont Center for

Sleep Disorders

Darius Rhodes-Zoroufy, MD, Director

Telephone ... 802-334-4108

Fax ... 802-334-4109

Northern Vermont Center 

for

Sleep Disorders

Restoring restful sleep to your nights

and

improving the quality of your days 

Welcome

     Every year, millions of Americans experience fatigue, irritability, depression, lack of concentration and memory, lost productivity and car or workplace accidents due to sleep disorders.  Such symptoms can obviously affect your job, your marriage, your health and your quality of life.  Yet, many people do not seek professional help because they do not realize that it is available.  If left untreated, some sleep disorders may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke.

     The Northern Vermont Center for Sleep Disorders is here to help individuals return to a normal, productive lifestyle through diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders.  Our dedicated center, which follows the guidelines of the American Sleep Disorders Association, has a team of experienced, knowledgeable professionals who will work with you to evaluate your situation. 

What are sleep disorders?

     A sleep disorder is any condition that interrupts normal sleep-wake patterns.  All of the sleep disorders described here can be evaluated and effectively treated.

• Sleep Apnea and Snoring

  Snoring is a common problem, but loud snoring can be a symptom of a serious disorder called sleep apnea.  People with this disorder actually stop breathing repeatedly during sleep (as many as several hundred times a night) due to complete or partial blockage of the airway by tissue in the nose or throat.  The resulting low levels of oxygen increase blood pressure and may cause the heart rate to slow or stop for a few seconds.  The poor sleep quality caused by sleep apnea leads to excessive daytime sleepiness, problems with concentration, memory and headaches.

• Narcolepsy

  Narcolepsy is a common problem that is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable sleep episodes during the day which interfere with activities at work or school.  Other symptoms of narcolepsy are vivid nightmares or hallucinations at the onset of sleep, or sudden muscle weakness during moments of intense emotion, such as anger or excitement.

• Insomnia

  People with insomnia have chronic problems with falling asleep or staying asleep.  This may be due to a number of causes, the most well known of which are psychological, such as stress or depression.  However, insomnia may have other causes such as breathing difficulties or involuntary muscle movements.

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

  The notable symptom of this disorder, also referred to as nocturnal myoclonus, is the repetitive kicking, jerking or flexing of arms or legs throughout the night due to involuntary muscle contractions.  Patients often experience a crawling sensation or a restless feeling in the legs when they first go to bed,  It can lead to the inability to fall asleep and remain asleep.

• Other Sleep Disorders

  Other sleep problems may be the result of:

  • Chronic respiratory problems or lung diseases which can worsen during sleep, greatly reducing the oxygen level in the blood.

  • Significant changes in your sleep-wake schedule, such as those due to shift work or jet lag.

  • Nightmares or night terrors,  Nightmares are frightening dreams which can be recalled later,  They may occur at any age and , in adults, may be related to psychological factors.  Night terrors, on the other hand, cannot be recalled in the morning and are most common in children.

How the sleep disorders center can help YOU 

• Initial Consultation

  When you call the Center for Sleep Disorders for an appointment, we will send you a questionnaire.  The questionnaire provides us will sleep and medical history and asks you to maintain a sleep diary for several days.  On your first visit, the physicians will review this information with you and conduct a physical assessment.

• Sleep Testing

  If the physician determines that a sleep study is required, you will spend one or two nights in a private, comfortable patient room which simulates the home setting.  A nearby room is equipped with sophisticated equipment for monitoring sleep stages, patterns, heart activity, blood oxygen levels and body movements.  You may also be asked to stay during the day so that we may assess daytime sleepiness.

• Treatment

  If a sleep disorder is diagnosed, it can usually be treated effectively.  The team of specialists at the Center for Sleep Disorders will evaluate the results of your studies and will make recommendations for treatment.  Treatment many include medication, changes in daily habits or work schedules. or a simple nasal mask to relieve snoring and upper airway obstruction.  You may be ask to schedule a follow-up visit to check your progress, but your family primary care physician will manage long term treatment of your sleep disorder.

Sleeping Problems

     Sleeping problems are a fact of modern life.  It is estimated that one out of three Americans has trouble falling asleep, or is excessively sleepy during the day.  A good night's sleep restores energy to the body and revitalizes the brain.  Sleep disorders can affect not only your physical and emotional health, but also you appetite, your social relationships, your sexual behaviors and your work performance.  Although millions of people are affected by sleep disorders, most do not recognize the symptoms.  Even fewer realize that, once detected, most sleep disorders can be corrected.  Now there is help in you community at the Northern Vermont Center for Sleep Disorders.

Directions

     The Northern Vermont Center for Sleep Disorders is located at North Country Hospital, situated on 30 acres in a quiet, easily accessible part of Newport, Vermont.  

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