If you’re like millions of Americans, you may find yourself wide-awake at bedtime or struggling to keep your eyes open during the day. Sleep disorders can seriously affect our quality of life, productivity, and overall health.
Sleep disorder medicine is a recognized specialty developed in response to the tremendous medical, economic, and social impact of disturbed sleep. If you’re among the one in three adults struggling with a sleep disorder, the UPMC Mercy Sleep Medicine Center can help.
Our Sleep Medicine Center offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment of such sleep disorders as:
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Insomnia
- Restless leg syndrome
- Narcolepsy
Our multidisciplinary team of sleep experts includes:
- Pulmonologists specializing in lung diseases, critical care and sleep medicine
- An otolaryngologist (ENT), board certified in sleep medicine, specializing in sleep-related surgery
- A neurologist specializing in sleep parasomnia and women’s midlife sleep disorders
Our specialists partner with your referring doctor to help address your specific sleep problem.
Diagnostic Testing at the UPMC Mercy Sleep Medicine Center
The Sleep Medicine Center performs approximately 1,300 sleep studies annually for patients with all types of sleep disorders.
Your diagnosis is based on the results of a sleep study, or polysomnogram. At UPMC Mercy, we use the latest digital equipment to monitor your breathing, eye movements, brain waves, and heart rate while you sleep. Sleep studies are conducted overnight at our Sleep Center in comfortable private rooms designed to make your stay as pleasant and relaxing as possible. We also offer in-home sleep studies.
Other tests include:
- Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) to assess excessive daytime sleepiness
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) to measure alertness during times of quiet inactivity
Sleep Medicine Treatment
Your individualized treatment plan will be tailored to address your specific sleep problems. Adjusting your sleep habits or reducing stress can play a significant role in resolving your sleep issues.
The initial treatment for sleep apnea is usually continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which provides steady airway pressure through a nasal mask to prevent the throat from closing off during sleep. CPAP fittings are among the services offered by UPMC Mercy, along with bi-level positive airway pressure.
Other treatment recommendations can include weight loss, use of a dental appliance, or surgery.
Inspire® therapy, a promising alternative treatment for sleep apnea, also is available through the UPMC Mercy Sleep Medicine Center. This treatment uses an implantable system that monitors breathing patterns while you sleep and stimulates airway muscles to keep them open.
Our Sleep Medicine Experts
- Mazen El Ali, MD, Medical Director
- Ravi Alagar, MD, FCCP, FRCPC
- Charles Atwood, MD
- Rachel Givelber, MD
- Laurie Kilkenny, MD
- David Kristo, MD
- Sanjay Patel, MD
- Andrew Perez, MD
- Ryan Soose, MD
- Patrick Strollo, MD
- Maria Sunseri, MD, FAASM
Location
UPMC Mercy Sleep Medicine Center
Building A, 4th Floor
Room 4412
1400 Locust St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Download These Helpful Directions
Once you’ve arrived at UPMC Mercy’s parking garage, follow these directions to UPMC Mercy’s Sleep Medicine Center (PDF).
Schedule an Appointment
A physician referral is required for evaluation and treatment. To schedule an appointment, call 412-232-7409.
