Sleep disorder specialist
Encyclopedia
A Sleep disorder specialist (SDS) is a Registered Respiratory Therapist
(RRT-SDS) that has successfully passed the national registry exam. The respiratory therapist may also be a Certified Respiratory Therapist
(CRT-SDS) under certain conditions. The sleep disorder specialist scores and performs polysomnography
and also assists in diagnosing and preparing a treatment plan for the condition. Some of the conditions the sleep disorder specialist helps evaluate and treat are; insomnia
, sleep apnea
, restless legs syndrome
, and narcolepsy
.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
A Registered Respiratory Therapist is a cardiopulmonary therapist and specialist who is required to exercise considerable independent clinical judgment in the respiratory care of patients...
(RRT-SDS) that has successfully passed the national registry exam. The respiratory therapist may also be a Certified Respiratory Therapist
Certified Respiratory Therapist
A Certified Respiratory Therapist , formerly Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician , is a therapist who has graduated from a respiratory therapy program at a university or college and has passed a national certification exam...
(CRT-SDS) under certain conditions. The sleep disorder specialist scores and performs polysomnography
Polysomnography
Polysomnography , also known as a sleep study, is a multi-parametric test used in the study of sleep and as a diagnostic tool in sleep medicine. The test result is called a polysomnogram, also abbreviated PSG...
and also assists in diagnosing and preparing a treatment plan for the condition. Some of the conditions the sleep disorder specialist helps evaluate and treat are; insomnia
Insomnia
Insomnia is most often defined by an individual's report of sleeping difficulties. While the term is sometimes used in sleep literature to describe a disorder demonstrated by polysomnographic evidence of disturbed sleep, insomnia is often defined as a positive response to either of two questions:...
, sleep apnea
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing, during sleep. Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may occur 5 to 30 times or more an hour. Similarly, each abnormally low...
, restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome
Restless legs syndrome or Willis-Ekbom disease is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. It most commonly affects the legs, but can affect the arms, torso, and even phantom limbs...
, and narcolepsy
Narcolepsy
Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder, or dyssomnia, characterized by excessive sleepiness and sleep attacks at inappropriate times, such as while at work. People with narcolepsy often experience disturbed nocturnal sleep and an abnormal daytime sleep pattern, which often is confused with insomnia...
.
See Also
- Respiratory therapyRespiratory therapyRespiratory therapy is a healthcare profession in which specialists work with patients suffering from either acute or chronic respiratory problems. These specialists are termed Respiratory Therapists in most places internationally but may also be referred to as Respiratory Scientists or...
- Certified Respiratory TherapistCertified Respiratory TherapistA Certified Respiratory Therapist , formerly Certified Respiratory Therapy Technician , is a therapist who has graduated from a respiratory therapy program at a university or college and has passed a national certification exam...
- Registered Pulmonary Function TechnologistRegistered Pulmonary Function TechnologistA Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist is a technician who is a Registered Respiratory Therapist that has successfully passed the national registry exam.-See Also:*Respiratory therapy*Certified Respiratory Therapist...
- Certified Pulmonary Function TechnologistCertified Pulmonary Function TechnologistA Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist is a technologist who is at least a Certified Respiratory Therapist but may be a Registered Respiratory Therapist that has successfully passed the national certification exam.-See also:...
- Registered Sleep TechnologistRegistered Sleep TechnologistA Registered Sleep Technologist is a Polysomnographic Technologist accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.-See Also:*Respiratory therapy*Certified Respiratory Therapist*Registered Pulmonary Function Technologist...
- American Association of Sleep TechnologistsAmerican Association of Sleep TechnologistsThe American Association of Sleep Technologists is an organization that promotes the interests of sleep technologists. It promotes standardized education for sleep technicians, sleep technologists and sleep center managers. It spends resources defending the profession of sleep technology from...