MRI use is key in diagnosing stroke

If a patient is suspected of having a stroke, their doctor may request a radiology test called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is an imaging procedure that uses magnets and radio frequency waves to take detailed pictures from deep within the body. It can target issues in bodily organs and tissues that otherwise appear healthy, like a blocked artery. An MRI provides crucial information to help make a stroke diagnosis, evaluate the best treatment options and predict the patient’s prognosis for the future.

An MRI is painless, noninvasive, requires no sedation or advance preparation and usually takes less than an hour. The MRI machine resembles a long cylinder that is open on both ends. Patients lie on a movable bed that goes into the scanner. Patients will be given headphones to block the loud clanking or tapping noises the scanner will make, and can ask for mild sedatives if they’re claustrophobic. 

How doctors diagnose strokes

A stroke occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. Strokes are typically classified as ischemic (when an artery in the brain becomes blocked) or hemorrhagic (when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, and the blood that’s released damages the surrounding brain cells). It’s important to quickly determine which type of stroke has occurred, because treatment options are different. The first test is usually a CT scan, which uses X-rays to show affected areas of the brain. A CT scan is effective for identifying the bleeding of a hemorrhagic stroke, but an MRI’s detailed images may be needed to spot the blocked area causing an ischemic stroke.

St. Charles Bend offers our patients a variety of advanced stroke treatments in Central Oregon.

Diagnosing strokes with computed tomography (CT) scan

When doctors suspect that a patient might have had a stroke, tests are critical in making the correct diagnosis and applying the correct treatment as soon as possible. Often, the first imaging test for such a patient is a computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT scan uses common X-rays, but in a different way. The CT scanner takes multiple X-ray images a small distance apart, creating a cross-section view. The images look like “slices” of the patient’s head, giving doctors a three-dimensional look at the patient’s brain.

A brain CT scan can show bleeding in the brain or damage to the brain cells from a stroke. This test can also reveal other brain conditions that may be causing the patient’s symptoms.

Doctors often repeat CT scans during the treatment of a clot or blockage causing a stroke, to gauge the progress or effectiveness of the treatment.

Sometimes doctors will repeat CT scans after giving the patient an intravenous dye or “contrast agent.” This produces clearer images of the blood vessels inside the brain, usually not visible in CT images. This can identify which blood vessels are blocked and can help determine how to treat the patient, or to show if treatment is working to break up clots and unblock blood vessels.

St. Charles Bend in Central Oregon offers a wide range of services to prevent, diagnose and treat strokes.

A multidisciplinary team approach to your personalized care

No patient or stroke is the same. The St. Charles stroke team individually tailors treatment for each of our patients. We closely adhere to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) recommended guidelines for stroke treatment. Following the guidelines set by the AHA/ASA has been shown to improve the quality of patient care and outcomes.

As a certified Primary Stroke Center, we offer a wide array of treatment options, including clot-dissolving medications, surgical and non-surgical procedures, as well as additional therapies to treat and prevent strokes, such as:

Medications to treat stroke

The most common form of stroke is called ischemic. During this type of stroke, a blood clot forms in an artery, stopping blood flow to the brain. There are more and more medications available on the market to treat people who need “blood thinners” to prevent future strokes.

Therefore, if you are prone to having blood that is not fluid enough, or you have already suffered a stroke and need to make sure your blood is thin to prevent future strokes, you can count on the stroke specialists at St. Charles to get you the medication you need. Two of these medications are:

  • Heparin — a blood thinner that is given through an IV and is most commonly used to treat patients who are already in the hospital. It is often used to treat patients who are at risk for stroke or need a blood thinner to reduce the risk of blood clots in their legs.
  • Warfarin — now the most commonly used, prescribed oral blood thinner, warfarin (Coumadin) is proven to reduce the risk of stroke in certain patients. As one example, patients who are being treated for atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat) should be prescribed warfarin. Although the use of warfarin needs to be closely monitored including frequent blood tests, it often gives patients great success in thinning their blood.

Discover how medication can treat strokes at St. Charles

Want to learn more about blood thinners and the treatment of stroke at St. Charles Health System Stroke Center in Central Oregon? Please call us today at 541-706-3736.

The stroke experts at St. Charles Bend are here to help you feel better again. Find them right near your home in Central Oregon.

Using antiplatelet medication in stroke treatment

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke, caused by a blood clot moving to a blood vessel in the brain. To prevent this type of stroke or a transient ischemic attack known as a “mini-stroke” from happening, it’s critical to prevent blood clots from forming in the first place — and that’s why stroke experts at St. Charles Bend may use antiplatelet medications in stroke treatment and prevention.

How antiplatelets work

Platelets are parts of blood cells that help blood to clot and prevent bleeding. When you have a cut or scratch, platelets release thromboxane, a chemical that signals other platelets to come to help. In stroke patients, however, this call for “help” can be life-threatening since it can cause blood clots to form. Antiplatelet agents help stroke patients by inhibiting the production of thromboxane and decreasing the blood’s ability to clot. Antiplatelet medications include:

  • Aspirin
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
  • Dipyridamole (Curantyl®, Persantine® and others)
  • Ticlopidine (Ticlid®)

Is antiplatelet medication right for you?

Despite their many benefits, antiplatelet medication is not right for everyone. People with a medical history that includes kidney or liver disease, gastrointestinal disease or peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, bleeding disorders or asthma may not be able to take these medications or may require special doses. These medications also require careful monitoring as they can have side effects that include blood in the urine and the stool and excessive bleeding that must be reported to your doctor immediately.

The best way to know if you’re a candidate for antiplatelet medication is to consult your health care provider. Never start any medication — including aspirin — on your own.

Expert stroke care at St. Charles Bend

A certified stroke treatment center, St. Charles Bend has a specialized stroke care unit. You can rely on our skilled team to diagnose and treat stroke quickly and to provide post-stroke treatments and preventive therapies, including medication.

If you’re concerned about your risk for a stroke or have questions about the medications you are taking, call the stroke team at St. Charles Bend at 541-706-3736. When it comes to treating stroke, every minute matters — and our experts are here to help.

In Central Oregon, St. Charles stroke experts diagnose and treat patients quickly for the best possible outcomes.

Carotid endarterectomy stroke treatment in Central Oregon

The right and left common carotid arteries are the large blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygen-rich blood to the front of the brain. A stroke occurs when a blockage in the artery caused by plaque or a clot causes the blood flow to be cut off. During a stroke, brain cells that have been deprived of blood begin to die, impacting speech, memory, personality and mobility. A stroke is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate medical care. However, there are many proactive steps you can take to prevent having a stroke. One of them is a surgical procedure called a carotid endarterectomy. 

What is a carotid endarterectomy? 

Also known as carotid artery surgery, this is a procedure where plaque build up is removed from the patient’s neck. It is performed in a hospital, usually under general anesthesia. The surgeon takes out the plaque through a small cut on the neck over the carotid artery. Afterward, the artery and neck incisions will be closed with stitches. Following the surgery, patients may remain in the hospital for a few days while their recovery is monitored. During that time, the neck area may be sore or numb and swallowing could be more difficult than usual. There may be a drain put in the incision area that will be removed after the surgery. 

It’s important to know that the procedure can help lower the risk for strokes, but it is not a permanent fix. After their current blockage is removed, patients will need to make dietary and lifestyle changes and possibly take medications to help keep future blockages from forming.

What causes a blocked artery?

Carotid artery disease, a condition that causes plaque to build up in the arteries, is one of the main causes of blockages. Your risk for carotid artery disease increases as you get older, especially if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, smoke or are physically inactive.

Unfortunately, carotid artery disease rarely causes symptoms until one of the carotid arteries is almost completely blocked. If you have a family history of the condition or possess other risk factors for stroke, your doctor can test your arteries for potential blockages. If you show signs of reduced blood flow or tests reveal blockages, your doctor may suggest carotid endarterectomy surgery. It could also be recommended for people who have previously had a mild stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA), to prevent future occurrences. 

Expert stroke care at St. Charles Bend

St. Charles Bend, a certified stroke treatment center, has a specialized stroke care unit. We offer a wide range of treatment options and provide care specifically tailored to the individual needs of each patient.

If you are interested in learning more about carotid endarterectomies and if you could be a candidate for one, call St. Charles Bend today at 541-706-3736. We can explain more about the benefits and risks of the procedure and how it is performed at our hospital.

St. Charles Bend offers our patients a variety of advanced stroke treatments in Central Oregon.

What is interventional neuroradiology

Interventional neuroradiology is an advanced form of cardiovascular treatment in which surgeons use imaging technology to see into the patient’s body and guide their actions. Using advanced medical imaging (radiology) technology such as digital X-rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), not only can interventional neuroradiology diagnose stroke, but it is also a step forward in stroke treatment. With it, doctors can deliver clot-busting medication directly to the clot location or perform surgery within the brain.

The treatment techniques used are some of the least invasive available, most often inserting instruments into and moving through veins to access the problem areas. These techniques are called endovascular treatments, and are sometimes referred to as “endovascular neurosurgery.”

The inserting sites for interventional neuroradiology treatments are usually a small opening where a tiny tube is introduced into the patient’s body, rather than with a long surgical cut or incision of traditional surgery.

Being least invasive, interventional neuroradiology treatments offer less risk, less pain, less scarring, shorter hospital stays and shorter recovery time than for patients treated with traditional surgical methods.

Interventional neuroradiology can treat many medical conditions that could not be treated effectively just a few years ago. New technology and devices introduced even more recently have allowed interventional neuroradiologists to increase the number of life-threatening cerebrovascular diseases that can be treated effectively.

The most common conditions treated include:

  • Stroke
  • Brain aneurysms and other abnormal cerebral blood vessels
  • Certain causes of seizures
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Benign and malignant tumors

For more information, contact us at 541-706-3736 today.

St. Charles Bend has established a reputation in Central Oregon as a trusted center in offering a wide range of services to prevent, diagnose and treat strokes.

What is revascularization?

Recovering from a major stroke can be a difficult, life-changing process. In some extreme cases, it may require surgery. St. Charles  Stroke Center wants you to know we specialize in many types of stroke recovery, including revascularization or “brain bypass.” Especially in instances of an ischemic stroke, where arteries to the brain become blocked, a brain bypass may be the only answer to restoring some or all of your ability to function.

As you can imagine, revascularization is a surgery that is designed to restore blood flow within the brain. During this procedure, a branch of the external carotid artery is connected to a branch of the internal carotid artery in your brain. Think of this procedure as the equivalent of a heart or “coronary” bypass surgery: the blood flow around a blocked or damaged blood vessel is rerouted via a length of healthy vessel to restore normal blood flow. It is a stroke treatment that is very serious, but one in which the expert stroke surgeons at St. Charles Health System are specialists.

St. Charles Stroke Center can help

Want to learn more about the St. Charles Stroke Center in Bend? Please call us today at 541-706-3736.

The stroke experts at St. Charles Health System are here to help you feel better again. Find them right near your home in Central Oregon.

Understanding stroke medications

Stroke medications can be used in two ways: to treat a stroke that is happening right now, or to reduce the risk of one happening in the future. However, there are a number of possible stroke treatments, and medication is not always the right one. It’s important to choose the correct treatment based on the type of stroke.

There are two main categories of strokes: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blocked artery. Hemorrhagic stroke is due to bleeding in the brain. Stroke treatments involving medication are only suitable for ischemic strokes. This is because stroke medications make the blood flow more freely. In the case of a blocked artery, that’s a good thing. In the case of hemorrhagic bleeding, it would make the condition worse. This is why medication cannot be administered to a patient immediately when a stroke is suspected, but must wait until a diagnosis confirms the cause of the problem.

Preventing stroke with medication

Medications to prevent stroke may include thrombolytics, anticoagulants and antiplatelets. Collectively, these are often called “blood thinners.” Although they work in slightly different ways, they all focus on disrupting the way that blood naturally clots. This helps prevent obstructions in the blood vessels and keeps the blood moving easily. These medications may be used to prevent multiple problems in addition to stroke, including heart attacks and thrombosis. Patients taking these medications may need to make certain lifestyle adjustments to avoid potentially serious side effects, including dietary changes and being more cautious to avoid falls and other injuries that could cause bleeding.

Expert stroke care at St. Charles Bend

St. Charles Bend is a certified stroke treatment center with a specialized stroke care unit. That means not only do we excel at providing the acute care that is so critical during the first hours after stroke symptoms appear, but we also provide post-stroke treatments and preventive therapies, including medication. Our multidisciplinary team works together to find the right treatment for each patient.

If you would like to ask a doctor whether medications to prevent a stroke are right for you, or if you have questions about a medication that you are currently taking, call St. Charles Bend today at 541-706-3736. We’re ready to help.

St. Charles Bend offers our patients a variety of advanced stroke treatments in Central Oregon.

Hemorrhagic stroke surgery capabilities in Central Oregon

Sometimes, the severity and scope of a stroke makes it necessary for physicians to surgically intervene in order to preserve as much brain function as possible. In stroke cases at St. Charles Bend, our doctors will first assess if there are nonsurgical options that can allow them to effectively restore blood supply to the brain or prevent bleeding, or whether a patient would be better served through a surgical procedure.

While most instances of ischemic stroke (blood vessel blockage) are treated with medications or, in select cases, medical procedures such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery angioplasty and stenting, surgical treatment of hemorrhagic strokes (bleeding in the brain) centers on controlling bleeding and reducing pressure on the brain. St. Charles Stroke Center doctors may repair these blood vessel abnormalities following a stroke, aneurysm or arteriovenous malformation (AVM) using these procedures:

  • Aneurysm clipping: After making an incision in the brain, the surgeon places a tiny clamp at the base of the aneurysm to block it from blood vessels in the brain, prevent blood from flowing to it and keep the aneurysm from leaking blood further.
  • Coil embolization: After inserting a catheter into an artery in the groin, the surgeon threads it to the aneurysm site, then pushes a tiny coil through the tube into the aneurysm, which causes a blood clot to form and prevents it from bursting again.
  • Surgical arteriovenous malformation (AVM) removal: An AVM is an abnormal connection between blood vessels in the brain that could rupture. If an AVM is causing a stroke, AVM repair or removal may be necessary. Removal depends upon whether the AVM is accessible; large AVMs or those located deeper in the brain may not allow this to be an option.

St. Charles offers Central Oregon certified primary Stroke Center care

No matter the stroke type — ischemic or hemorrhagic — it’s essential that anyone experiencing stroke symptoms seek medical care at a hospital that excels in providing acute care during those critical first hours. St. Charles Bend, a certified Primary Stroke Center, has served Central Oregon for many years by offering treatment options designed to treat and prevent strokes.

In Central Oregon, St. Charles Bend offers surgical stroke excellence that can restore proper blood flow to the brain and lessen the scope of vision, speech and movement problems that can be brought on by a brain attack.

Thrombolytic stroke therapy in Central Oregon

On average, one American dies from stroke every four minutes, and every year more than 800,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke. Fortunately, in Central Oregon, St. Charles Bend is recognized for their expert work in diagnosing and treating stroke patients with medical advances that include thrombolytic therapy, the use ofmedications that quickly dissolve blood clots.

The most common type of stroke is an ischemic stroke that is caused by a blood clot moving to a blood vessel in the brain, blocking blood flow to the area and keeping the brain from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function. By administering thrombolytic medications known as “clot busters,” St. Charles stroke experts restore blood flow to the affected area and save brain tissue, helping to limit their patient’s brain damage and disability.

Using thrombolytics

Ideally, a stroke patient should receive thrombolytic medication within three hours of the first stroke symptoms. The decision to use these drugs in stroke treatment is based on:

  • A physical exam that shows a significant stroke
  • Medical history
  • A brain CT scan to make sure there has not been any bleeding

It’s important to note that thrombolytic medicines are not given to a patient who is having a hemorrhagic stroke created by bleeding in the brain since these drugs can worsen this type of stroke by causing increased bleeding. Generally, thrombolytic medications are also not given if you are pregnant or have conditions that include:

  • Uncontrolled, severe high blood pressure
  • Bleeding problems, including bleeding ulcers
  • Taking blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin
  • Recent surgery
  • Recent head injury

Recognizing stroke symptoms

If you are a candidate for thrombolytic therapy, the sooner the treatment begins, the better your chances for a good outcome. That’s why it is so important to recognize stroke symptoms so you can get emergency medical care as quickly as possible. Remember, time lost is brain lost, so know the signs of stroke and act FAST:

  • Face: Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
  • Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
  • Speech: Is their speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence?
  • Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see these symptoms

In Central Oregon, St. Charles stroke experts are ready day and night to diagnose and treat stroke patients quickly for the best possible outcomes.

B.E.  F.A.S.T.

When a stroke occurs, every minute counts. Recognizing what’s happening and beginning treatment quickly can be the difference between complete recovery and long-term disability or death. The most basic way to spot a stroke is by thinking "B.E. F.A.S.T." - Balance, Eyesight, Face, Arm, Speech and Time:

  • Balance: Are you struggling with balance or coordination?
  • Eyesight: Are you experiencing suddenly blurred or double vision or a sudden loss of vision?
  • Face: Has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
  • Arms: Can they raise both arms and keep them there?
  • Speech: Is their speech slurred? Can they repeat a simple sentence?
  • Time: Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see these symptoms

Know the signs. Take immediate action.

Most strokes are caused by a blocked artery cutting off blood flow to the brain. Stroke symptoms vary widely because strokes can occur in different areas of the brain. Symptoms can appear suddenly and noticeably or may be vague and hard to identify. Don't ignore symptoms, even if they go away. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you experience:

  • Difficulty speaking or understanding speech (aphasia)
  • Difficulty walking
  • Dizziness, including vertigo
  • Numbness, paralysis or weakness, usually on one side of the body
  • Seizure (relatively rare)
  • Severe sudden headache with no known cause
  • Slurred speech (dysarthria)
  • Sudden confusion
  • Sudden decrease in the level of consciousness
  • Sudden loss of balance or coordination
  • Sudden vision problems (e.g., blurry vision, visual loss in one side of vision or in one eye)

Start reducing your risk today

The more you know about stroke — the types, symptoms, causes and effects — the better prepared you'll be to prevent one from happening to you. The basics of stroke prevention are to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet, not smoke and control associated medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.

Risk factors and lifestyle choices you can control

  • Reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) by eating a healthy low-sodium diet, drinking less alcohol, reducing stress, quitting smoking and taking medications if necessary.
  • Treat and control atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).
  • Lower your cholesterol levels by eating a healthy diet, exercising, losing weight and taking medications if necessary. Reduce your LDL, the "bad cholesterol" that can clog your arteries, to less than 100mg/dL. Keep your HDL, the "good cholesterol" that helps reduce your bad cholesterol level, at 60mg/dL or higher.
  • Control diabetes (high blood sugar). The National Diabetes Education Program provides a helpful list of ways to manage your diabetes.
  • Don't smoke and if you do, stop immediately.
  • Drink less alcohol.
  • Stop using stimulant drugs. In particular, methamphetamine use greatly increases risk of stroke in young people.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is a major risk factor for stroke.
  • Exercise regularly to keep your body and immune system strong.
  • Eat a healthy diet to help reduce stroke risk factors such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. For more information about a healthy diet and stroke prevention, click here.

Risk factors you can't control

  • Increasing age: The chance of having a stroke more than doubles for each decade of life after age 55. While stroke is more common among the elderly, people under 65 frequently have strokes.
  • Gender: Men are at greater risk for stroke than women, and they tend to occur earlier in life for men.
  • Heredity: A family history of stroke and other associated health conditions increases your stroke risk.
  • Race: Black women have a greater risk of stroke (and heart disease) than white women. Compared with whites, African-American men and women are more likely to die of stroke.
  • Previous stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or heart attack.

Other factors that raise the risk of the intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage types of stroke include:

  • Blood and bleeding disorders such as:
    • Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting are abnormally active
    • Hemophilia or bleeding disorder in which it takes a long time for the blood to clot
    • Sickle cell anemia, a disease passed down through families in which red blood cells are an abnormal crescent moon shape
    • Leukemia
    • Decreased levels of blood platelets (cells)
  • Use of aspirin or anticoagulant medications (blood thinners). If you have been prescribed aspirin, do not stop taking it without your doctor’s advice.
  • Liver disease, which causes increased bleeding risk in general
  • Brain or cerebral (head) tumors

See your physician on a regular basis in order to control any risk factors you may have. If you do not have a physician, the time to establish care is now. St. Charles Family Care will connect you with a physician in your area.

Stroke B.E.F.A.S.T.

Comprehensive stroke diagnosis, treatment and prevention

The St. Charles Stroke Program is a certified stroke treatment center which excels at acute care during the critical first hours after stroke symptoms emerge. Because rapid response is essential, stroke patients are attended to immediately in our Emergency Department. Stroke care continues at a specialized Stroke Care Unit with surgical and non-surgical procedures, as well as post-stroke therapies, including rehabilitation.

Our multidisciplinary response team includes neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, a neurointerventionalist, rehabilitative specialists and an RN stroke coordinator.

Award winning care

The St. Charles Stroke Program adheres to the highest standard of care and was recognized in 2024 with the American Stroke Association 2024 Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite and the Stroke Honor Roll Advanced Therapy awards. St. Charles Prineville and St. Charles Redmond were each awarded the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Silver award in 2024. St. Charles Madras was awarded the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Rural Recognition Bronze award in 2024.

2024 Stroke Gold Elite badge
2024 Stroke Bronze badge
2024 Stroke Bronze badge

The program was also awarded the Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for meeting the requirements for Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. 

Our mission

The mission of the St. Charles Stroke Program is to improve outcomes for stroke survivors by using early intervention, evidence-based practice and a multidisciplinary approach toward stroke recovery.

Questions?

Our stroke coordinators make certain that every stroke patient at St. Charles receives all the steps of care appropriate for their specific diagnosis, customized education that begins upon admission and preparation for the transition from hospital to home, rehab or skilled nursing facility. Contact our stroke program coordinators at 541-706-3736.

Do you have sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea often goes undiagnosed — and therefore untreated. Answer these simple questions for a basic screening of sleep apnea symptoms. If you answer yes to two or more of these questions, you may be suffering from sleep apnea and should seek further evaluation.

For a quick and basic screening for sleep apnea, please answer these nine simple questions. If you answer yes to two or more of these questions, you may be suffering from sleep apnea and should seek further evaluation.

  • Do you snore?
  • Are you sleepy during the day?
  • Are you overweight?
  • Do you wake up with morning headaches?
  • Do you have high blood pressure?
  • Are you irritable, fatigued or have trouble concentrating?
  • Do you find it difficult to stay awake while watching TV, reading a book or attending a meeting?
  • Do you ever wake up during the night choking, gasping for air or have a skipping or racing heartbeat?
  • Has anyone ever told you that you hold your breath, snort and often move while you're sleeping?

If you have questions or would like further evaluation, please visit your primary care physician and/or contact the St. Charles Sleep Center near you.

 

Rest comfortably in a private room while we assess your sleep disorder

For patients at the St. Charles Sleep Center, your sleep physician will first determine if you need a sleep study, also called a polysomnogram. If you do need a sleep study, you'll arrive in the early evening, stay the night and leave the next morning. You'll sleep in a private room, and we’ll monitor your body functions overnight.

Sleep study tests

While you're resting, we're working to determine what's disrupting your sleep. We'll place painless electrodes on the surface of your scalp, face, chest and lower legs. The electrodes will measure:

  • Blood oxygen levels
  • Brain waves
  • Breathing effort and movement
  • Eye movement
  • Heart rhythms
  • Leg movements

We can then use the information we've collected to help diagnose your sleep disorder and create an individualized treatment plan that gets you a good night's rest.

Download sleep study instructions

VIDEO: Alice NightOne Patient Setup

VIDEO: WatchPAT 200 step-by-step instructions

VIDEO: WatchPAT 300 step-by-step instructions

 

Our sleep disorder specialists will guide you back to a good night's sleep

The first step to treating a sleep disorder is diagnosing it. At the St. Charles Sleep Center, we'll be with you every step of the way from our initial consultation to proving sleep education and then sleep disorder treatment and follow-up care.

To start the diagnosis process you’ll be asked to:

  • Fill out an assessment questionnaire before your first visit
  • Receive a thorough medical exam
  • Possibly be monitored during a Sleep Study (Polysomnography)
  • Meet with a respiratory therapist or clinical sleep health educator

If you suspect you have sleep apnea, you can fill out our sleep apnea symptoms questionnaire.

Types of sleep disorder treatment

There are many ways to treat sleep disorders, and our specialists create an appropriate treatment plan for each patient. Sleep disorder treatment may include:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medication
  • Weight loss
  • Dental appliances
  • Light therapy
  • ENT surgery
  • Laser therapy
  • Airway pressure appliances
  • Individual body clock adjustments

Our sleep specialists also provide ongoing follow up and education to make sure you achieve the good night’s sleep you deserve.

Your Central Oregon resource for sleep disorders — and treatment

The experts at our Sleep Center know that your health, safety and quality of life depend on getting a good night's rest. Left untreated, a sleep disorder can put you at higher risk for stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure and diabetes.

That's why it's important to get help from a sleep specialist. At the St. Charles Sleep Center, you'll receive quality medical care from board-certified physicians specializing in sleep disorders, pulmonology, critical care and internal medicine. We are also fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

You'll receive quality medical care from board-certified physicians specializing in sleep disorders, pulmonology, critical care and internal medicine.

The St. Charles Sleep Center is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.


We treat more than 80 types of sleep disorders including:

  • Circadian Rhythms
  • Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease
  • Insomnia
  • Narcolepsy
  • Parasomnias
  • Periodic Limb Movement
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Snoring
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