Sleep is vital to good health. When you sleep well, you feel better.
The UPMC Sleep Medicine Center helps people with breathing problems during sleep and other issues that disrupt sleep.
About Sleep Disorders Telemedicine at UPMC
Our sleep experts use telemedicine for both first-time consults and all follow-up care.
We offer:
- Video visits.
- Home sleep studies.
- Remote data monitoring.
- Remote patient access to self-monitoring.
This means you can now do your sleep study in the comfort of your own home.
Sleep Studies via Telemedicine
Along with standard in-center sleep studies, we also offer home sleep studies.
There are many sleep disorders, but suspected obstructive sleep apnea is the most common reason you might need a sleep study.
During a home sleep study, you will wear a special tracking device during sleep for one night. Once you complete the sleep study, you can mail the device back to UPMC.
You will then schedule another online visit. Your doctor will review your results and work with you to form a treatment plan.
In addition to assessing and managing sleep apnea, we offer telemedicine for many other sleep disorders, such as insomnia.
Benefits of Sleep Telemedicine Services
You now have timely access to our sleep medicine experts from your phone or computer. This is helpful for people who live in rural areas or far from Pittsburgh.
Sleep telehealth also means you:
- Can make an appointment at a time that works for you.
- Save commute time, gas and parking costs, and time off from work.
- Have less chance of exposure to other illnesses.
- Decrease the need for child or elder care.
- Can have your spouse, sleep partner, or family member attend your appointment. They often give your sleep doctor valuable information.
Who Is a Candidate for a Video Visit?
Video visits are for both new and current patients of the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center.
A telemedicine consult with a UPMC sleep expert is ideal if you have any of the following symptoms linked to your sleep:
- Loud snoring.
- Gasping/choking for air while sleeping.
- Waking up with a headache.
- Daytime sleepiness.
- Trouble focusing during the day.
- Feeling tired all the time.
- Finding it hard to fall or stay asleep.
- Learning from a spouse, roommate, or loved one you do strange things in their sleep.
If you have any of the above symptoms, make a video appointment with a UPMC sleep specialist.
What to Expect During Your Sleep Medicine Video Visit
A video visit is much like an office visit.
Before you log in to the telemedicine app or link on your computer to start your appointment:
- Check your internet connection.
- Choose a quiet room without disturbance from children or family members.
UPMC's advanced video equipment and secure patient portals are safe and meet all HIPAA standards.
Once you log in and make sure you both can see and hear each other, the doctor will:
- Ask about the reason for the visit and get details about your sleep problem.
- Get your history. They'll ask about prior health issues, medicines you take, and any allergies. They'll also ask for your PCP's contact information.
- Review possible diagnoses and decide if you need bloodwork, imaging scans, or a sleep test.
- Schedule a follow-up video visit as needed to go over your results and discuss next steps.
Make an Appointment at UPMC Sleep Medicine Center
Find a UPMC Sleep Medicine specialist near you.
