Sleeping disorders include various illnesses such as sleep apnea (snoring), insomnia, periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs, bruxism, abnormal REM sleep, etc. Sleep apnea as most common occur in 11% of men and 5% of women, but this number is presumably higher because there are more patients who do not take the test.

If oxygen becomes scarce within the body or the autonomic nervous system is unbalanced due to sleeping disorders, uncontrollable hypertension, arrhythmia, and heart failure may occur or possibly lead to cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke. Recently, sleeping disorders have been found to disrupt the immune system—making people vulnerable to inflammations—and to be linked with some cancers.

The Sleeping Center has presented various research results based on various clinical experiences such as growth decline due to sleep apnea, relationship between sun exposure and sleeping time, problems of automatic determination of polysomnography, development of formula to predict sleeping disorders, verification of sleeping devices such as sleeping test devices and positive air pressure devices, development of surgeries to improve sleeping disorders, etc.

To diagnose sleeping disorders, polysomnography is first performed. For this test, EEG, electromyogram, electrocardiogram, and oxygen saturation measuring devices, respiratory airflow monitor, posture monitor, microphone, etc. are attached, and the stage of sleeping and wakefulness, presence of apnea, snoring, limb movement, respiratory effort, blood oxygen saturation, etc. are measured. These sleeping images are recorded with IR cameras to identify the accurate sleeping status for the diagnosis of sleeping disorders.

Treatments for sleeping disorders are mainly classified into non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatments include cessation of drugs that affect sleeping such as alcohol or smoking, postural therapy during sleeping, positive air pressure device, intraoral device, etc. There are many surgical treatments wherein the patient's condition and illness must be considered for the high success rate of appropriate surgery. The Sleeping Center at Ajou University Hospital is providing patient-customized treatments based on accurate diagnosis for successful treatment.