The Sleep Disorders Center
 The Sleep Disorders Center at 2367 23rd Street in Eureka is a specialized medical facility designed to diagnose and treat people with sleep related problems. We use state-of-the-art technology to determine and diagnose your sleep problem.
The Center is under the direction of Kurt Osborn, M.D. and John Gambin, M.D. of Humboldt Neurology. Both physicians are board certified by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine since 1997. They bring their extensive background in neurology in conjunction with their experience in sleep medicine to properly evaluate and treat sleep disorders.
We provide the only diagnostic site for patients in Humboldt County. The central location allows people who have no idea how severe their sleep disturbances, such as Insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy are, to remain close to home while receiving modern, state of the art care for these problems.
To determine individual sleep problems it is necessary to perform a sleep study, commonly known as a polysomnogram. The test itself involves sensors attached to the body but otherwise requires only that the patient spend the night in the sleep center. By providing a quiet, home-like setting for the overnight study, the technicians are able to accurately and discretely monitor the patient.
Contact the Sleep Disorders Center at (707) 443-7495 to learn more.
Tips to Help Get a Good Night's Sleep 1. GIVE YOURSELF “PERMISSION” TO GO TO BED. As hard as it may be to put away your “to do” list, make sleep a priority. You will thank yourself in the morning.
2. UNWIND EARLY IN THE EVENING. Try to deal with worries and distractions several hours before bedtime.
3. DEVELOP A SLEEP RITUAL. Doing the same things each night just before bed signals your body to settle down for the night.
4. KEEP REGULAR HOURS. Keep your biological clock in check by going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning — even on weekends.
5. CREATE A RESTFUL PLACE TO SLEEP. Sleep in a cool, dark room that is free from loud or sudden noises that may disturb your sleep.
6. SLEEP ON A COMFORTABLE, SUPPORTIVE MATTRESS AND FOUNDATION. It’s difficult to sleep on a bed that’s too small, too soft, too hard or too old.
7. EXERCISE REGULARLY. Regular exercise can help relieve daily tension and stress — but don’t exercise too close to bedtime or you may have trouble falling asleep.
8. CUT DOWN ON STIMULANTS. Consuming stimulants, such as caffeine, in the evening can make it more difficult to fall asleep.
9. DON’T SMOKE. On top of all the other great reasons not to smoke, smokers take longer to fall asleep and wake up more often during the night.
10. REDUCE ALCOHOL INTAKE. Drinking alcohol shortly before bedtime interrupts and fragments sleep.
Sleep Disorders Center: GLOSSARY
APNEA - A complete collapse of the breathing passageway during sleep. With the airway blocked, no breathing occurs and oxygen levels drop. In order to breathe again you must wake up briefly gasping for air, which leads to non‑restful sleep.
AROUSAL - A shift in a person’s level of sleep with a momentary awakening that usually goes unnoticed. These arousals can follow snores, apneas, hypopneas, and sounds.
AWAKENING - An abrupt or gradual change in a person’s sleep, that results in attaining an alert state of mind.
CIRCADIAN RHYTHM - The biological process of a natural rhythm during a 24 hour period. The circadian rhythm is easily upset by shift work and jet lag.
CATAPLEXY - A symptom of narcolepsy. A sudden, brief loss of muscle control, usually triggered by strong emotion, such as laughter, surprise, or anger.
CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. The primary and highly effective method of therapy for treating sleep apnea. CPAP machines work by delivering room air through a mask that is fitted over the nose. This air pressure acts as a splint to keep the airway open, allowing normal breathing patterns to be maintained.
EDS - Excessive Daytime Sleepiness. A constant feeling that an individual can’t remain awake and alert, especially if you’re relaxing. EDS often leads to a pattern of repetitive napping.
HYPOPNEA - A partial collapse of the breathing passageway during sleep. Like apneas, hypopneas have the same symptoms and lead to non-restful sleep.
INSOMNIA - The inability to fall asleep within a reasonable amount of time or the inability to remain asleep, once a person has gone to sleep.
MSLT - Multiple Sleep Latency Test. A scientific validated objective test of excessive sleepiness. A MSLT is commonly used after a polysomnogram in which narcolepsy is suspected.
NARCOLEPSY - Excessive drowsiness with a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times. The episodes of narcolepsy may be brought on by stressful situations and may not be completely relieved with sleep. Some symptoms of narcolepsy include EDS, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis.
PLMD - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. A disorder in which there is an involuntary movement of the limbs while a person is asleep. This may affect a person’s ability to sleep and to function normally during the day.
POLYSOMNOGRAM - A technical term for a sleep study. A recording that includes measurements to monitor brain waves, breathing, heart rate and rhythm, oxygen levels, and other physiological variables to determine if there are sleep pattern deficiencies.
REM SLEEP - Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. The stage of sleep with heightened brain activity and a reduction of muscle tension in the body. The dream state of sleep. Considered to be needed for mental restoration.
RLS - Restless Leg Syndrome. A "creepy, crawly" sensation that occurs in the legs when a person is sitting or lying still, especially at bedtime. Many people who have RLS also have PLMD.
SLOW WAVE - The stages of sleep characterized by brain waves of slow duration.
SLEEP - Considered to be needed for physical restoration.
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