Insomnia and circadian rhythm disordersĬhronic insomnia is defined as a combination of sleeplessness and dysfunctional complaints that manifest themselves during the day. This also goes for adults with an intellectual disability. In addition, the diagnosis of neurological sleeping disorders in children often requires an adaptation of measuring methods and (extra) support in care. For this reason, the concentration of know-how is important. Certain neurological sleeping disorders are rarer in children than in adults. In children, neurological sleeping disorders range from primary neurological sleeping disorders up to and including disorders with complex comorbidities including epilepsy and developmental problems. We also offer specific know-how of the treatment of sleeping disorders in patients with neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, parasomnia and sleep-related movement disorders.

We focus on the care for patients with rare and/or complex neurological sleeping disorders whose diagnostic and treatment experience in the first and second line is unsatisfactory, for instance because facilities and expertise are unavailable. Examples are narcolepsy and the Kleine-Levin syndrome. The NFU accredited the Center for Sleep Medicine for rare sleeping disorders (orphan diseases) in adults and children. But also for respiratory sleep care for people with an intellectual disability our expertise and facilities are unique in the Netherlands. Partly thanks to the better recognition of symptoms and also because of the increase of obesity, the need for care for children with sleep apnea is growing. In these cases, the Center for Sleep Medicine has a national third-line function, offering added value in clarifying the sleeping problems and/or improving the therapeutic result. For part of them the diagnosis and/or treatment is unsatisfactory for the treating physician or the patient. Second-line care for adult patients with sleep apnea generally speaking suffices for most of the patients. The products of the Center for Sleep Medicine are divided into three focus areas: breathing-dependent sleeping disorders, neurological sleeping disorders and insomnia and circadian rhythm disorders. Among this group, sleeping disorders manifest themselves differently than among normally gifted adults. Some patients require personalized treatment and support, such as young children or people with an intellectual disability. People with an intellectual disability and children.The concentration of such patients in a center like ours facilitates the development of expertise and improves the result for the patient. Patients with rare disorders require customized care more than others. This complicates the diagnosis and treatment and may require extra support. But we also see patients who suffer from a combination of sleeping disorders. The disorder or illness and the sleeping disorder influence one another. Sometimes the sleeping disorder may be the result of another disorder or illness. Patients with multiple sleeping disorders or a comorbide sleeping disorderįor these patients the sleeping disorder does not stand on its own.The Center for Sleep Medicine offers extra facilities and expertise for patients with complex sleeping problems. It is often impossible to adequately take up the diagnosis and treatment of this group of people.

Most hospitals lack the facilities and multidisciplinary know-how required for patients with rare or hard to treat sleeping disorders.

Sleep expert maas