Treatment of Sleep Disorders in Israel

Dr. Shay Marku

Head of the Neurological Development and Somnology Clinic at the Child Development Institute

Israeli doctors successfully treat various types of sleep disorders, whether they are physiological or neurological processes. Qualified otolaryngologists, psychologists, and neurologists at the leading Israeli clinic Top Ichilov are ready to provide any assistance related to sleep disorders for both adults and young patients who choose treatment in Israel.

98%

diagnosis of sleep disorders

99%

received necessary treatment

1840

successful surgeries performed

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Sleep disorders are collectively referred to as "parasomnias" and are divided into categories.

• Night terrors
• Sleepwalking (treated with hypnosis, benzodiazepines, antidepressants)
• False awakening
• Sleep talking
• Rhythmic movement disorders (RMD)
• Night leg pain (treated with massages and muscle relaxants)
• Nightmares
• Behavioral disorders
• Sleep paralysis

The first three parasomnias occur during deep sleep, in the first half of the night, and are most commonly seen in children. Sleep talking occurs both in deep sleep and in the transition between sleep and wakefulness. During this same transition, leg pain and rhythmic movements occur. Nightmares, behavioral disorders, and paralysis occur during deep sleep, during rapid eye movement.

There is a certain similarity between the symptoms of parasomnias and epilepsy, the seizures of which can occur during sleep, making the diagnosis of epilepsy difficult in many cases.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea with CPAP Device

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a fairly common condition in which there is a complete or partial cessation or significant weakening of breathing, leading to various metabolic and vascular disorders. Sleep apnea occurs due to atrophy of the upper respiratory muscles, as well as collapse or stenosis of the upper airways caused by:

• Obesity
• Enlarged tonsils
• Cleft palate
• Polyps
• Asymmetry of the nasal septum
• Chronic rhinitis and many other causes

The main symptoms of sleep apnea are snoring and daytime sleepiness (sleep apnea is observed in approximately half of people who snore), as well as headaches and sexual dysfunction.

Heredity plays a significant role in sleep apnea: children whose parents suffered from this symptom are more prone to it than others.

The method of treating sleep apnea depends on the cause of the condition, which may include:

• Weight loss
• Hypnosis
• Correction of anatomical defects
• Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy)
• Adenoid removal
• Treatment of snoring - laser uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)
• Treatment of snoring - uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

Today, one of the main treatments for sleep apnea, widely and successfully used at the Top Ichilov clinic, is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. The device delivers air under pressure to the upper airways, keeping them open and preventing narrowing. This method has no side effects; however, there are several conditions in which the use of CPAP is contraindicated:

• Acute sinusitis;
• Heart failure;
• Lung diseases;
• Eye infections;
• Respiratory failure;
• Hypotension;
• Previous surgeries on the brain, middle or inner ear, pituitary gland;
• Frequent nosebleeds and others.