Sleep Disorders at MUSC Health: Help for Insomnia, Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Why Choose Us?

If you're suffering from a sleep disruption, you need the help of trusted and experienced medical professionals. MUSC Health sleep specialists will evaluate and treat your sleep disorder with care and compassion. 

Highlights of our program include:

• Innovative treatments: We deliver the best available sleep disorders care, including the latest treatments. We offer sleep apnea surgery for difficult-to-treat obstructive sleep apnea. And we help more people with long-lasting insomnia maintain restful sleep with specialized education and behavioral therapies instead of medications. Find out more about sleep tests and medical treatments, and learn out more about sleep surgery.

• Coordinated care: During clinic visits, you see the best sleep medicine specialists and may receive care from other specialists in pulmonology, neurology, ENT, and psychiatry. We are in regular communication to help you receive the care that meets your needs.
• Research: Some of our sleep medicine specialists are leading research exploring psychological factors that influence sleep. Our interests include sleeping disorders in adults with anxiety. Find out more about our Sleep and Anxiety Treatment and Research Program.

What is Insomnia?

When you can’t sleep at night, you may have insomnia. This condition may also cause daytime difficulties including mood disorders and trouble focusing. Insomnia includes trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early in the morning.

There are many possible insomnia causes. MUSC Health sleep disorders specialists explore all of them. In many cases, it’s a symptom of other problems, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Digestive problems, including gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
• Drinking too much caffeine during the day
• Eating too close to bedtime
• Mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety
• Other medical problems, including long-lasting (chronic) pain

Insomnia treatment may include medications for a short period to help you establish a regular sleeping pattern. We help you maintain healthy sleep patterns with additional insomnia treatments such as:

• Education about healthy sleep habits and how you can work toward achieving them
• Lifestyle changes including limiting caffeine and evening activities
• Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi): This treatment helps you address thoughts and feelings that are preventing you from sleeping. We also give you helpful tips such as how to create a comfortable sleep environment that will lead to better sleep. CBTi-trained psychologists offer this treatment, which helps you achieve long-term insomnia relief.

What are Sleep Apneas?

There are two types of sleep apnea:

• Central sleep apnea occurs when there’s a problem with the brain signals that control your breathing
• Obstructive sleep apnea happens when muscles sag or collapse temporarily blocking your airway

These conditions cause snoring or temporary pauses in breathing. Some people wake up gasping for air, but many people sleep through these symptoms and don’t know there is a problem. In many cases, a person’s bed partner notices snorting or loud snoring.

You may also notice sleep apnea symptoms during the day, including:

• Headache or sore throat upon waking
• Tiredness throughout the day
• Mood changes
• Difficulty concentrating or forgetfulness
• Sleepiness when driving

Treatments may include medical or surgical treatments.  

Contact Us 

If you are a new patient, please call 843-792-5864 or complete our online appointment request form.

Existing patients may call 843-792-9534.