NUH Sleep Centre Services

2024/06/26

Are you disturbed by your bed partner’s thunderous snoring? Do you find yourself perpetually sleepy during the day?

Sleep is vital for our overall well-being and has an extensive impact on our performance at work or school, our relationships with others, as well as physical and mental health. We spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping or trying to fall asleep.

Sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common in our society and can disrupt our quality of life. Fortunately, many of these disorders are treatable once they are diagnosed correctly.

We aim to enable adults, adolescents and children to achieve quality sleep. We see patients with a wide range of sleep disorders, working with you to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Our Multidisciplinary Approach for Optimal Care
Addressing the different aspects of sleep disorders often involves various teams of physicians. NUH’s rich pool of healthcare professionals, trained in different conditions, enables us to holistically diagnose and treat sleep disorders.

Our experienced multidisciplinary care teams comprise clinical and dental specialists from:

Bariatric surgery
Cardiology
Neurology
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Orthodontics
Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
Paediatrics
Prosthodontics
Psychiatry
Respiratory Medicine

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Diagnosis and Tests

We conduct regular specialty clinics where you can discuss your sleep concerns with a sleep clinician. During that visit, a targeted history and physical examination will be performed to better understand your condition.

Based on your symptoms, you may benefit from undergoing further evaluation in the form of sleep tests. These tests will enable us to obtain an accurate diagnosis and advise you on the necessary care plan.

Some of the tests that you may undergo include:

An in-laboratory sleep study (also known as polysomnography) which is recommended if a sleep-related breathing disorder such as obstructive sleep apnoea is suspected. You may also require this if we are concerned about a sleep condition such as narcolepsy or periodic limb movement disorder. During the study, your brainwaves, eye movements and muscle tone are recorded, along with parameters such as your airflow, breathing effort, heart rhythm, snoring and limb movements.
A home sleep study which may be useful for patients who have at least a moderate risk of obstructive sleep apnoea or who cannot perform a test in the laboratory.
A multiple sleep latency test which helps to diagnose conditions like narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia.

The NUH sleep laboratory is staffed by sleep technicians who are trained to perform the tests efficiently and accurately while ensuring your comfort while you sleep.

Treatment Options

Every sleep condition has specific treatment methods.

Obstructive sleep apnoea, which is the most common sleep-related breathing disorder worldwide, may be controlled with a machine called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Appropriate CPAP counselling can improve adherence to CPAP. Growth modification in younger patients, non-invasive oral appliances, and skeletal and/or soft tissue surgery can help to enlarge and/or stabilise the upper airway for some patients.
Insomnia is best treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or medication. Relaxation techniques can also be very helpful to prepare the body and mind for sleep.
Circadian rhythm disorders are often treated with behavioural modification and/or light therapy.
Narcolepsy may require medication and behavioural modification.
Parasomnias and movement disorders may require behavioural modification and/or medication.

Translational Research For Better Outcomes

We believe that good quality sleep is a key component of a healthy lifestyle and future. Our focus is on preventive medicine to shape a healthier future for our patients. We have multiple active clinical trials analysing the effects of various treatment methods on conditions such as obstructive sleep apnoea. Through our research, a deeper understanding of the negative impact of sleep disorders on outcomes such as cardiovascular health will enable us to help our patients better manage their conditions.

For more information, visit our respective pages:

Paediatrics

Paediatric Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep

Respiratory Medicine

ENT

For any queries, you may contact the respective clinics:

Clinic	Email us at:
Paediatric Sleep and Airway Clinic (Multi-disciplinary clinic)	[email protected]
Respiratory Clinic and Sleep Clinic	[email protected]
Sleep Surgery and CPAP Alternatives Clinic	[email protected]