Sleep Disorders Clinic
The Mater Private Sleep Disorders Clinic is the only centre in Ireland which caters for the full range of Sleep Disorders.
The Sleep Disorders Clinic is run on multidisciplinary lines and once diagnosis is confirmed treatment may be carried out by a variety of professionals depending on the problem. Further down the page you will find information on the following:
- Sleep Disorders We Treat
- Paediatric Sleep Disorders We Treat
- Sleep Procedures Performed
- Sleep Disorders In the Media
For information on the below, click the link:
Referrals
| Patients must be referred by their GP or another specialist. | Contact the Sleep Disorders Clinic between 10am and 4pm. | |||
| The Sleep Disorders Clinic | Phone/Fax: 01-860 0090 | |||
| Dr. Elaine Purcell | Phone/Fax: 01-811 7713 | |||
| Dr. Catherine Crowe | Phone/Fax: 01-860 0090 | |||
| Address: 71 Eccles St, Dublin 7 | Email: sleepdepartment@gmail.com |
Sleep Disorders We Treat
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a disorder of disrupted breathing during sleep. The airway or windpipe becomes excessively floppy during sleep, where it becomes narrow (causing snoring and shallow breathing known as hypopnoeas) and may even close over completely, causes pauses in breathing / choking spells (apnoeas). This disturbs patients’ sleep causing tiredness or excessive sleepiness during the day. In the short term, patients are at increased risk of car accidents. Over the long term this can lead to heart disease, strokes, diabetes, and/or high blood pressure.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome is usually described by patients as a creepy- crawly type feeling in the legs, associated with the urge to move the legs. The symptoms are relieved by movement only to return at rest. This can impair patients’ ability to fall asleep or even wake them from sleep.
Insomnia
Insomnia is defined as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep or waking up excessively early in the morning. There are many different types of insomnia.
Body-Clock / Circadian Rhythm Disturbance
This includes “morning larks” or “night owls” where the hours they keep become problematic. This also includes Shift Work Disorder or difficulty with sleep in shift workers as well as Jet Lag.
Abnormal Behaviors During Sleep
This is a heterogenous group of disorders which includes Sleep Walking, Night Terrors, Sleep-related violence, acting out dreams, abnormal movements in sleep.
Disorders of Excessive Sleepiness
This includes Narcolepsy, a rare condition whereby patients fall asleep recurrently throughout the day often accompanied by cataplexy; whereby they may have weakness in the leg, neck or facial muscles in response to emotion. Other disorders treated include Kleine-Levin Syndrome and Idiopathic Hypersomnia.
Paediatric Sleep Disorders We Treat
Children are seen from the age of 6. Children under 6 will be assessed on a case by case basis.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Childhood Insomnia – difficulty going to sleep
- Sleep Walking
- Body Clock Issues
- Abnormal Behaviours during sleep
- Night Terrors
- Narcolepsy
Sleep Procedures Performed
The Sleep Disorders Clinic is run on multidisciplinary lines and once diagnosis is confirmed treatment may be carried out by a variety of professionals depending on the problem.
- Full diagnostic polysomnography (full sleep study)
- CPAP Titration Studies (initiating treatment for sleep apnoea)
- Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) – testing for Narcolepsy
- Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT)
- Actigraphy ( to assess body-clock issues)
- Overnight Oximetry (measuring oxygen levels during sleep)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia
- CPAP compliance monitoring (to ensure appropriate usage of CPAP)
Sleep Disorders in the Media
News, articles, podcasts, videos and much more about the area of Sleep Disorders.
|
Advice for people with sleep disorders… Dr Elaine Purcell with a good sleep guide and advice on sleeping disorders |
|
|
How to get a good night’s sleep… According to reports out today, many frequently prescribed sleeping pills have been linked with an increased risk of cancer. But what is the alternative? Should you read a good book, watch tv or indulge in some bedroom activities with your significant other? On The Right Hook Dr. Elaine Purcell, Sleep Medicine Consultant at the Mater Private Sleep Disorders Clinic discussed with George the best methods to ensure a good night’s sleep. |
 |
| Click here to listen to the interview |
