Areas of Focus
The Center for Sleep Medicine makes a significant difference in sleep disorders, even in complex, rare, and/or difficult-to-treat cases.
Many of the patients we see require specialized facilities and tailored care, including extensive and multidisciplinary teams that incorporate the expertise of nurse specialists and psychologists.
Complex sleep disorders often involve a combination of physical and psychological factors. The timely involvement of a multidisciplinary team ensures an accurate diagnosis and the implementation of appropriate treatment.
The care services of our expertise center are categorized into various areas of focus:
- Sleep-related breathing disorders, including refractory obstructive sleep apnea
- Neurological sleep disorders, including hypersomnia, movement disorders, and parasomnias
- Insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders
- Sleep disorders in children
- Sleep disorders in the elderly
- Sleep disorders in individuals with intellectual disabilities
Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
For most adult patients with sleep apnea, second-line care meets their needs. However, for some patients, diagnostics and/or treatment may not yield satisfactory results for either the treating physician or the patient. In such cases, the Center for Sleep Medicine fulfills a nationwide tertiary care function. Our specialists provide added value in interpreting sleep-related issues and/or improving therapeutic outcomes.
Due to better symptom recognition and an increase in conditions such as obesity, the demand for sleep apnea care in children is growing. Additionally, our expertise and facilities for respiratory sleep care for individuals with intellectual disabilities are unique within the Dutch healthcare landscape.
Neurological Sleep Disorders
The Center for Sleep Medicine has extensive experience with various forms of hypersomnia, including narcolepsy and Kleine-Levin syndrome. Additionally, we have specific expertise in sleep disorders associated with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.
In the field of nocturnal restlessness (parasomnia), we offer specialized diagnostics and therapy. Furthermore, we have expertise in the treatment of difficult-to-manage Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and other movement disorders.
Insomnia and Circadian Rhythm Disorders
The Center for Sleep Medicine plays a role in cases of chronic insomnia when first- and second-line therapy has proven insufficient. In other words, primary treatment—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)—must first have been provided elsewhere. The CSG is actively involved in developments related to CBT-I and offers training for therapists. Referral to the CSG is possible in cases of refractory symptoms, as well as when insomnia occurs in the context of other somatic conditions, such as sleep apnea, neurological disorders, or other medical conditions.
Disorders of the biological clock are treated within our multidisciplinary team using a stepped-care protocol, with chronotherapy as the foundation.
Sleep Disorders in Children and Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
We provide treatment for the full spectrum of sleep disorders that can occur in both children and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Our team has specific expertise in hypersomnia, including narcolepsy in children.
Additionally, we focus on sleep disorders in the context of complex comorbidities, such as epilepsy and developmental disorders, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.