Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine

Sleep Program

Overview

SleepingSleep disorders involve any difficulties related to sleeping, including excessive daytime sleepiness (falling asleep at inappropriate times), insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), or abnormal behaviors associated with sleep. One of the most common sleep disorders is Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This condition is characterized by episodes where a person's breathing stops while sleeping. In normal conditions, the muscles of the upper part of the throat keep this passage open to allow air to flow into the lungs. These muscles usually relax during sleep, but the passage remains open enough to permit the flow of air. Some individuals have a narrower passage, and during sleep, relaxation of these muscles causes the passage to close, and air cannot get into the lungs. Fortunately, after a variable amount of time, a brief awakening occurs and the throat reopens. The process can occur from a few to over 500 times per night. The frequent brief awakenings (usually not remembered) cause daytime sleepiness.. Sleep apnea can also cause or worsen elevated blood pressure or some forms of heart failure.

Location & Clinic Timings

  • Sleep Clinic: is held every Tuesday afternoon at the Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties Clinic located on the third floor of the Shands Medical Plaza. ***
  • Sleep Studies: are conducted seven nights per week at the Shands Sleep Disorders Center at Magnolia Park. The new location offers a 12 bed facility that has been accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (Gainesville’s only accredited sleep center).

***Effective July 6, 2009, our Sleep clinic will transfer to the Sleep Disorder Center at 4740 NW 39th  PLACE, Suite C, Gainesville, FL 32606

How to make an Appointment

  • Clinic: New and Return Patient Appointment: contact 352-265-0139
  • Sleep Studies: Contact the Sleep Disorders Center at 352-265-5240

Medical Professionals

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