• 50 million Americans suffer from insomnia
• 20 million Americans experience leg movements during the night that cause them to awaken
• 10 million Americans experience loud snoring and breathing pauses during their sleep
• 250,000 Americans suffer from narcolepsy

The specialists at the Aventura Sleep Disorders Center are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and can help you get a better night's sleep, which is vital to your well-being. Since most people spend approximately one-third of their lives sleeping, it is easy to see the correlation between the quality of your sleep and the quality of your life.

Aventura Sleep Disorders Center is a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment center. The two-bedroom sleep center is complete with computerized data acquisition and diagnostic equipment. Each room includes a queen-sized bed, color remote controlled television and a private bath and shower.

Since most health insurance providers cover the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, the Aventura Sleep Disorders Center can help you improve the quality of your life by giving you back peaceful nights.

The Aventura Sleep Disorders Center is an open sleep lab, meaning any physician may refer a patient to the center if they feel the patient is experiencing a sleep disorder. A doctor's referral is necessary for a sleep study, therefore, self-referrals cannot be accepted.

Patients who are not under the care of a physician and would like to have a sleep evaluation can be referred to physicians associated with the Sleep Disorders Center by calling 305-682-7216.

Insomnia: a persistent inability to fall asleep or stay asleep

Snoring: a partial obstruction of the upper airway shown to increase the risk of having heart attacks and/or strokes. Loud, heavy snoring can also be a symptom of a more serious disorder known as sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea: a life-threatening disorder that causes you to stop breathing periodically while sleeping

Narcolepsy: a neurological illness characterized by sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks and persistent daytime sleepiness

Nocturnal Myoclonus: a disorder characterized by excessive movement of the legs during sleep, which causes arousal, also known as Periodic Leg Movements

Gastroesophageal Reflux: a disorder caused when acid from the stomach "backs up" into the esophagus during the night, causing small awakenings

Parasomnias: abnormal and recurrent nighttime behavior such as sleepwalking, night terrors and head banging, etc.

Ask yourself, as well as your sleep partner, the following questions in order to determine whether you may need to consult your doctor for a referral tot he Aventura Sleep Disorders Center:

• Do you feel excessively sleepy during the day?
• Do you have difficulty falling asleep?
• Do you awaken frequently during the night?
• Do others say that you snore loudly?
• Do others say that you stop breathing during your sleep?
• Do you suddenly awaken gasping for breath?
• Do you get morning headaches?
• Do you feel your body going limp when you are angry or surprised?
• Do you experience vivid dreamlike scenes upon falling asleep or awakening?
• Do you experience leg pain during the night?
• Do others say that you kick and thrash while asleep?
• Do you wake up with heartburn, coughing or wheezing?
• Do you have recurrent episodes of sleep walking, nightmares or abnormal behavior while sleeping, such as violent actions, head banging, etc?