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Roughly 30% of the population of the Western world is regularly im­pacted by difficul­ties in falling or staying asleep. These people suffer from im­paired capa­bilities and the associated conse­quences, such as diffi­culties concen­trating or momen­tary nodding off while driving. Graz Ragnitz Private Hospital has a state-of-the-art sleep labora­tory, which enables comprehen­sive diagnosis and treat­ment of sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea syn­drome. Naturally, other sleep dis­orders, such as rest­less leg syndrome, are also identi­fied and referred to neuro­logists for the planning of appro­priate treat­ment.

When should a sleep laboratory assessment be considered?

There is particular indication for assess­ment in our Sleep Lab when the following condi­tions are present:

1. Pathological snoring (obstructive sleep apnoea):

Symptoms can include:

  • Snoring with abnormal pauses in breathing or in­stances of ab­normally low breathing during sleep, observed by partner
  • Daytime fatigue, impairment of daytime func­tioning
  • Hypertension when snoring
  • Night-time heart problems and ar­rhythmia when snoring

2. Illness-related sleeping dis­orders:

e.g. in:

  • Restless-Legs Syndrome
  • Internal Illnesses
  • Night-time asthma/ chronic bronchitis

How is an examination in the sleep lab carried out?

1

After having received a medical diagnosis based on the above-mentioned indications for assess­ment, you are admitted for your diagnosis and fine-tuning of your treat­ment, which is carried out during an over­night stay in a com­fortable one-bed room.

This one-bed room is also made available to patients with standard two-bedded hospital in­surance at no extra charge. With your consent, infrared cameras can be used to conti­nuously monitor all sleep patterns during the assess­ment and fine-tuning of the appro­priate treat­ment.
2

Respiratory and circulatory para­meters are measured and sleeping patterns analysed by means of a modern poly­somno­graphy system (MAP-MEPAL). This system simulta­neously records various bodily func­tions such as brain waves, respira­tion, heart­beat and muscle tension. The evalua­tion of these para­meters helps to deter­mine the depth and structure of sleep (REM-sleep and deep-sleep stages, sleep cycle).
3

On the day after the assessment in the Sleep Lab, a computer-based analysis of the patient’s sleep structure, respira­tory para­meters and the video recording are all carefully carried out and pro­cessed in a com­prehen­sive written report. The refer­ring pulmono­logist will receive these findings within 7 days of your initial overnight assess­ment.
4

Any further therapy required (i.e. CPAP therapy for Sleep Apnoea Syn­drome) is initiated after prompt re-referral by your pulmono­logist (for another overnight stay to fine-tune the treat­ment to suit the patient’s indivi­dual needs).

Accreditation

Graz Ragnitz Private Hospital's sleep laboratory was accre­dited in early 2008 by the Austrian Society of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (ASRA). This scientific society sets standards and guidelines for clinical dia­gnosis and treat­ment of sleep disorders and daytime alert­ness. With the accreditation of sleep laboratories, the ASRA aims to pro­mote the quality of these facili­ties.

Expert team

The team consists of attending doctors Andrea Geistlinger, MD, and Heimo Liendl, MD, both specialized in pulmono­logy. Together, they have treated over one thousand patients over the years with great success.

Contact

For more information or to arrange an appointment please contact us by phone.