Sleep disorders

The Sleep Disorders Service in Leicester is based at Leicester General Hospital.  It was one of the first such services in the country and has a national reputation for excellence, managing the full range of adult sleep disorders.  We have a dedicated three-bedroom sleep laboratory for complex overnight sleep monitoring and daytime testing.  However, most patients are investigated as out-patients taking home with them a portable light-weight device that monitors their sleep and/or activity in their normal home environment.

Many of our patients have very severe snoring leading to Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).  If untreated, OSA can lead to a number of problems such as excessive daytime sleepiness and increased risk of cardiovascular disease such as high blood pressure, stroke and heart attacks.  We also see patients with sleepiness due to other causes such as Narcolepsy and conditions such as Restless Leg Syndrome which leads to sleep fragmentation.  We treat patients who can’t sleep (Insomnia), people who sleep at the wrong times (Circadian Rhythm Disorders) and also people who do unusual things in their sleep such as extreme sleep walking, talking, shouting and acting out their dreams!

Links to useful websites:

NHS Choices - information about consultants within the service

British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association - advice and support for snorers

Snore Tests - identify the cause of your snoring

www.direct.gov.uk/driverhealth - DVLA advice for drivers

www.narcolepsy.org.uk - more information about narcolepsy

www.rls.org - more information about restless legs syndrome 

You can find accessibility information here.