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Neurophysiology Unit

The sleep clinic has been founded by a group of medical specialists who aim to identify the problems that cause sleeping sickness and give them an immediate solution, clinical or surgical so that patients can have a normal life.

Polysomnography (PSG)

The Sleep Clinic was created for taking care of patients suffering from sleep disorders. The studies that are carried out as a diagnostic tool for one of these disorders can be carried out in the facilities of the Sleep Clinic. The study is called polysomnography, and this includes three necessary studies:
  • Electroencephalography (EEG)
  • Electrooculography (EOG)
  • Electromyography (EMG)
The other parameters analyzed are electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, respiratory effort, transcutaneous CO2, recording of sounds to evaluate snoring, EMG of limbs and continuous video monitoring.
Patients who require this study, go to Neurovida, where they spend the night in a room technically equipped. A trained technologist will place sensors on the scalp, nose, heart, arms, and legs which will transmit information that is recorded on computers located in an adjoining room from where the patient's activity is monitored.
Neurovida has two rooms that allow three simultaneous studies in addition to two ambulatory teams.

Ambulatory Polysomnography

Ambulatory polysomnography is a study that is developed under the same premise of Polysomnography. The difference is that it is more comfortable because it is performed at the patient’s home. Patients go to the Sleep Clinic where a technician, places the electrodes connected to a portable system so that the patient can sleep at home.
Portable ambulatory cardiorespiratory polygraph systems are also used, which have shown a good correlation with nocturnal polysomnography for the detection of apneas.
Home assessment devices vary. In general, these devices are useful when the findings are clearly positive, but when the results are negative, they do not rule out a respiratory sleep disorder.

Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT)

Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) are used to obtain information about the level of daytime sleepiness in patients.
The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (TLMS) is the most widely used test as an objective measure of sleepiness and, in general, it should be performed in cases in which Excessive daytime sleepiness or Narcolepsy is suspected.
The test should preferably be done after a night of controlled sleep in the Sleep Clinic to verify that the rest of the previous night is normal. The next morning the patient is placed in a quiet and comfortable room and invited to lie down, close his eyes and try to sleep. Afterward, the light goes out and the test starts, this can take up to a maximum of 20 minutes. This process is repeated 4 or 5 times throughout the day, with a 2-hour interval between each test.
A Multiple Sleep Latency Test measures the sleep onset latency (how quickly a patient falls asleep once the lights are turned off) and whether the entry into sleep is in the REM phase or not. All these data will allow us to know if the level of sleepiness is average or if there is abnormal or excessive sleepiness (it is generally accepted that an average sleep onset latency of fewer than 7 minutes is considered excessive daytime sleepiness) or if it is likely to be narcolepsy (where you usually observe an average of sleep onset latency of fewer than 5 minutes; and 2 or more REM sleep phases).

Sleep disorders

Sleep disorders are a widespread problem, but they have a solution. Sleep deprivation interferes with work when driving vehicles and with the social activities of a person. It is essential to understand the importance of sleep and what can affect it. Studies done by scientists say that sleep is necessary to survive.
There are more than 70 types of sleep disorders. Many of these disorders can be adequately controlled once diagnosed.
Sleep deprivation has detrimental effects on the immune system. Sleep is also necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system. When sleeping, the body is inactive, but the brain remains very active. Only recently, researchers have begun to understand how sleep affects daily functions and physical and mental health.
In each person, the number of hours of sleep depends on many factors, including age. Babies usually need about 16 hours a day, while teenagers need about 9 hours a day. For most adults, 7 or 8 hours seems to be the best amount of sleep, although some people may only need 5 hours a day and others up to 10 hours a day.
The most common types of sleep disorders are:
  • Insomnia
  • Obstructive Sleep apnea (snoring)
  • Restless Leg Syndrome
  • Narcolepsy
When we do not get enough sleep, we feel tired and unable to concentrate. This can cause memory problems, clumsiness, and difficulty in performing mathematical calculations. If we continue depriving ourselves of sleep, we begin to suffer hallucinations and mood swings.
If you have ever suffered from one or more of the following you should look for help:
Have you or your partner noticed that you snore a lot?
Have you or your partner noticed you that you stop breathing during sleep?
Have you or your partner waked up with the feeling that you are short of breath or that you are drowning?
Do you awaken in the morning with the feeling of not having slept well, and that you have not rested?
Do you feel a lot sleepy during the day sometimes?
Have you noticed that your energy levels, and concentration and memory capacity have decreased during the day?
Are you hypertensive? Have you suffered a heart attack or brain stroke?

Location
Medical tower building III San Gabriel 0e8-86 y Nicolás Arteta.
Consulting room No.203 2nd floor
Quito, Ecuador
Phone to Metropolitan Hospital
399 8000 ext 3312
This is a service provided at Metropolitano Hospital through specific external agreements.