Sleep Medicine Center

Tulane Medical Center’s Board-certified Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Center, a leading research and academic facility in the Gulf South, provides state-of-the-art care in various areas of Sleep Medicine. It has been accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for the past 20 years, which allows the Center to train physicians in the field as well as offer expert treatment to individuals experiencing a wide variety of sleep disorders. One of very few sleep medicine centers in the region, the Center provides services for both adults and children.

Sleep disorders are associated with heart diseases, lung diseases and other conditions, and the physicians and staff of the Comprehensive Sleep Center can help patients in the diagnoses and management of these conditions.

Services & Treatments

  • Clinical Assessment
  • Polysomnogram (overnight sleep study)
  • Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT or daytime nap test)
  • Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
  • Actigraphy

Conditions

Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea, a very common disease, involves frequent, partial or complete collapse and obstruction of breathing passageways during sleep. Symptoms include snoring, irregular breathing during sleep, excessive sleepiness, fatigue and non-restful sleep. This disease has serious consequences including cardiovascular diseases, poor performance, frequent automobile accidents and death. There are various effective treatments available

Insomnia
One in three American adults suffer from this disease which is defined as trouble falling or staying sleep. This condition not only can significantly affect quality of life, but in long-term may be associated with mood disorders such as depression.

Restless Leg Syndrome & Periodic Leg Movements
“I can’t stop moving my legs in bed.” “Worms crawl under my skin.” “I need to keep stretching or moving my feet to get rid of discomfort.” These are all common symptoms. They may lead to sleep loss, disturbance of daytime activities, anxiety and depression. There are several remedies.

Narcolepsy
A disease resulting in a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times and sudden sleep attacks. Sudden, brief losses of muscle control and vivid dream-like experiences may also be present.

Parasomnias
Several behaviors during sleep including sleepwalking, sleep terrors (awakening with blood-curdling dreams), REM related (acting out dreams during sleep) or confusion arousals (awake but very confused).

Circadian Rhythms Disorders 
Various disorders including sleep complaints related to working nontraditional hours, DSPS (inability to fall sleep until 2am or later), ASPS (sleepiness in early afternoon), irregular sleep/wake pattern and Jet lag.

What is a Sleep Study ?

After thorough clinical assessment, an overnight sleep study (polysomnogram) may be recommended to evaluate the sleep disorder. The test includes monitoring of brain wave activities, respiration, heart activity, movement or behavior during sleep and other physiologic functions during sleep in an effort to uncover the source of the sleep disturbance. This test is painless and is conducted by a trained technician.

Some patients may feel uncomfortable with the wires and electrodes, but they usually sleep adequately even on the first night. The bedroom is dark, quiet with comfortable controlled temperature. You also have your own private bathroom.

An overnight study will last a minimum of 6 hours, usually ending by 7:00 a.m.

After completion of your sleep study, your physician will review your sleep data and if treatment or medical device is needed. You will be contacted by our center to arrange a follow-up visit with your physician.

The follow-up visit is very crucial to the treatment compliance which lead to a better clinical response and outcome. We provide comprehensive education regarding; CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) treatment compliance, troubleshooting CPAP machine-related issues and mask fitting during your sleep medicine follow-up visit.

Sleep Medicine Team

Supat Thammasitboon, MD

Location

1415 Tulane Ave
7th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: 504-988-1657
Fax: 504-988-4583

Hours of Operation
Clinic Hours: 8 a.m. – 5p.m.
Sleep studies are conducted at night

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