If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, you’re not alone. An estimated 70 million Americans do not get the sleep they need – and most are taking too many sleeping pills to try to solve the problem.
If you experience excessive day time sleepiness, fall asleep at inappropriate times, or if you snore, you are very likely suffering from a sleep disorder.
Even if you are able to fall asleep at night, you might have a sleep disorder – particularly if you wake up feeling tired, irritable, unable to concentrate or function well, and if you have memory problems.

At A.L.P.S. Medical Center for Health and Wellness, our board-certified sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Ishaaya, will diagnose and treat patients with all types of sleep disorders, including Sleep Apnea, Insomnia, Snoring, Narcolepsy and Restless Leg Syndrome.

Dr. Ishaaya is the medical director of several sleep labs in the area, and at A.L.P.S. Medical Center, we are able to perform sleep laboratory studies using the latest diagnostic equipment. A sleep study can usually be scheduled within 48 hours of your request.

For patients who are unable to or do not want to undergo a test at a sleep lab, we are also able to offer the latest in-home testing with easy-to-use, reliable devices.

Call us today to discuss your testing options. You may be just one phone call away from better sleep.

Did you know that the amount of sleep you get affects your weight?

If you are sleeping	Your chance of obesity is
2-4 hours per night 5 hours per night 6 hours per night	73% 50% 23%

Sleep deprivation alters your appetite making it very difficult to lose weight.
Dr. Ishaaya combines his expertise in both weight loss therapy and sleep disorder medicine to offer his patients a comprehensive approach to better sleep and better health.

Did you know you have more options than just sleeping pills?

While most people turn to sleep medication to help them fall asleep, insomnia and other sleep disorders can be treated with psychological care, better sleep hygiene (bed-related habits such as watching TV, eating or reading in bed), and environmental and behavioral changes. We also offer a series of laser treatments that target specific acupuncture points in the ear to help patients sleep better. Studies have shown that after laser therapy (a series of about 10 treatments), patients have reported better and longer sleep periods.

How do I know if I suffer from a sleep disorder?

One test used to measure excessive daytime sleepiness (a common symptom of sleep disorder) is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale:

EPWORTH SLEEPINESS SCALE

Please indicate your chance of dozing during the following situation.  Please use a score of 0 to 3, where 0 means no chance of dozing, 1 means slight chance of dozing, 2 means moderate chance of dozing and 3 means high chance of dozing.

1.	Sitting and reading	0	1	2	3
2.	Watching TV	0	1	2	3
3.	Sitting inactive in a public place (i.e. theater)	0	1	2	3
4.	As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break	0	1	2	3
5.	Lying down to rest in the afternoon when possible	0	1	2	3
6.	Sitting and talking to someone	0	1	2	3
7.	Sitting quietly after a lunch without alcohol	0	1	2	3
8.	In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic	0	1	2	3

Score Results: Add all your points together. If you got:

1-6	You are getting enough sleep
4-8	You tend to be sleepy, but might not have a disorder
9 and over	Your sleepiness suggests a sleep disorder. You should see a sleep specialist. Dr. Ishaaya can help you.

Sleep Apnea

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep Apnea is the cessation of breathing during sleep. There are three classifications of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and mixed. The most common is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). If you suffer from OSA than the reason you repeatedly stop breathing in your sleep is due to the obstruction and/or collapse of your upper airways.
The only definite way to diagnose sleep apnea is to have an over-night sleep study (polysomnogram). Dr. Ishaaya is the medical director of several sleep labs in Los Angeles where such a study can be performed. You will be able to schedule your sleep study at one of these laboratories easily. Sometimes, a home sleep apnea study can be performed instead of spending the night at the sleep lab. At ALPS Medical Center, we know that some patients shy away from performing a sleep apnea study because they do not like to sleep in a sleep laboratory. Therefore, we are proud to offer the latest in home testing with easy-to-use reliable devices that help us diagnose and evaluate sleep disorders at the comfort of your own home. For those patients who suspect that they might have sleep apnea but do not want to incur the expense of a comprehensive sleep test, ALPS Medical Center has recently acquired screening devices that are very inexpensive, easy to use and reliable in detecting sleep apnea. Once your sleep study is performed, Dr. Ishaaya will discuss the results and different treatment options available to you.

Please call us today at (323)954-1788 or (323)938-ALPS to discuss your testing options. You may be just one phone call away from better sleep.

Insomnia

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is the sensation of daytime fatigue and impaired performance caused by insufficient sleep.  People who suffer from insomnia are often unable to fall asleep or stay asleep. Some experience non-restorative sleep and wake up too early, leaving them feeling as if they hadn't slept at all.

If you are diagnosed with insomnia, Dr. Ishaaya will discuss the different treatment options available to you, including medication, psychological treatment, improving your sleep hygiene, making environmental and behavioral changes, and undergoing a series of laser treatments at our offices.  Studies have shown that after a series of at least 10 treatments, patients have reported sleeping better and longer (up to 7 hours).

Narcolepsy

What is Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and intermittent, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep (“sleep attacks”). Three other symptoms are associated with narcolepsy: Cataplexy (sudden, temporary loss of muscle tone in the body during periods of extreme emotion), vivid, almost life-like dreams (while falling asleep or waking up), and sleep paralysis (while falling asleep or waking up).

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)

What is Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)?

PLMD, which affects people while they sleep, is characterized by behavior ranging from shallow, continual movement of the ankle or toes to wild and strenuous kicking and flailing of the legs and arms. Such movements typically occur for greater than 10 seconds, in intervals separated by five to 90 seconds.  PLMD can cause poor sleep, as most people are repeatedly awaken from their limb movements.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?

Symptoms of RLS may be present all day long or only in the late evening.  A person with RLS experiences a vague, uncomfortable feeling while at rest that is only relieved by moving the legs.

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