Sleep Medicine
Sleep medicine · Dr Jason Edgar · George
Better nights.
More life in your days.
Sleep supports the way you think, feel and function. When nights are disrupted, the effects can follow you into work, relationships and health.
Specialist assessment, sleep studies and ongoing treatment support — starting with your story.
Request a sleep assessment →George consultations from November 2026 · Bookings open: 044 803 2497
01 / The foundation of your day
Sleep is part of your health.
A full night in bed does not always mean a restorative night of sleep.
Attention & memory
Poor sleep can make it harder to concentrate, learn and make decisions. Small errors may show up in emails, conversations or the drive home.
Mood & connection
Sleep loss can reduce patience and emotional resilience. Being exhausted may leave less energy for the people and activities that matter to you.
Heart & metabolic health
Ongoing sleep deficiency and untreated sleep apnoea are associated with problems including high blood pressure and impaired glucose regulation. Sleep care forms part of a broader health plan.
Read more: NHLBI: sleep and health.
Does any of this feel familiar?
These are fictional everyday examples, not patient testimonials or promises of treatment results.
The afternoon struggle
A teacher rereads the same lesson plan and fights sleep during meetings. She has allowed enough time in bed, but her partner has noticed breathing pauses. A sleep assessment can explore whether disrupted breathing is contributing.
The 3 am clock-watch
A business owner wakes early and starts calculating how little sleep is left. The next day feels tense before it begins. His assessment may focus on insomnia and its treatment, rather than automatically arranging a breathing test.
The drive after a shift
A shift worker feels heavy-eyed on the way home. The immediate priority is safe transport, followed by reviewing sleep opportunity, work patterns and possible sleep disorders. Coffee or an open window is no substitute for being fit to drive.
02 / Recognise the patterns
Different problems.
Different paths to better sleep.
Symptoms overlap. A careful history helps distinguish too little sleep from a sleep disorder, medication effects or another health condition.
Obstructive sleep apnoea
The upper airway repeatedly narrows or closes during sleep. Clues include snoring, witnessed pauses, gasping and unrefreshing sleep. Some people have little obvious daytime sleepiness.
Insomnia
Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, with an impact on daytime life. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is a recommended first treatment for chronic insomnia.
Restless legs & limb movements
An urge to move the legs, often with uncomfortable sensations at rest and in the evening, may suggest restless legs syndrome. Repetitive movements during sleep are a related but distinct finding.
Body-clock and shift-work problems
Your internal sleep timing may not match your work or daily schedule. A sleep diary can help reveal the pattern and guide an individual plan.
Other breathing disorders
Central sleep apnoea involves interruptions in the signal to breathe. Sleep-related hypoventilation involves inadequate breathing. These need specialist assessment and may require a different testing or treatment approach.
Unusual sleepiness or night-time behaviour
Irresistible sleep episodes, dream-enacting behaviour or potentially dangerous events during sleep deserve assessment. Further specialist testing or referral may be needed; a simple breathing study cannot answer every question.
Patient resources: Insomnia · Restless legs · Body-clock disorders.
You do not need to know your diagnosis to ask for help.
Describe what is happening at night and how you feel during the day. We can help decide the next step.
Request a sleep assessment →03 / Understand your night
A sleep study turns symptoms into information.
Dr Edgar’s sleep diagnostic equipment includes Löwenstein Samoa and Sonata systems. The right study depends on the question we need to answer.
Samoa
A compact recorder for respiratory polygraphy. Sensors record signals such as airflow, breathing effort, oxygen levels and pulse to investigate sleep-disordered breathing.
For suitable patients, a home breathing study offers a practical way to investigate suspected obstructive sleep apnoea. It does not provide the same sleep-stage detail as full polysomnography.
Sonata
A fuller recording can combine breathing and oxygen measurements with brain activity, eye movements and muscle signals. These help identify sleep stages, awakenings and relevant movement events.
It may be preferred when the clinical picture is complex or a home breathing study has not adequately explained the symptoms. The team will confirm the setting and arrangements.
A negative, inconclusive or technically inadequate home sleep apnoea test may need follow-up polysomnography. Significant heart or lung disease, suspected hypoventilation, certain neurological conditions or severe insomnia can change which test is appropriate. AASM testing guidance.
What to expect
We review the reason for testing and explain the sensors, preparation and booking arrangements. Tell us about your medicines; do not stop them unless advised.
The equipment records while you sleep. Sensors rest on the skin or measure breathing near the nose. Tell the team if you have adhesive sensitivities or concerns about comfort.
The recording is reviewed alongside your symptoms and medical history. We discuss what the findings mean and whether treatment or further investigation is needed.
Submitting a request does not confirm an appointment, test type or medical-aid authorisation.
04 / Treatment that fits your needs
CPAP, APAP & bilevel therapy.
Positive airway pressure uses a mask and gentle pressurised airflow to support breathing during sleep. The prescription matters as much as the machine.
One prescribed pressure
Continuous positive airway pressure helps keep the upper airway open throughout sleep. It is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Pressure that adjusts
Auto-adjusting PAP responds to breathing patterns within a clinician-prescribed range. It is an option for selected patients with obstructive sleep apnoea.
Different pressures in & out
Often called BiPAP, bilevel therapy provides a higher pressure when breathing in and a lower pressure when breathing out. The mode is selected for a specific clinical need; it is not automatically better than CPAP.
NHLBI: sleep apnoea treatments.
ResMed AirSense 11 AutoSet
An example of an auto-adjusting sleep therapy machine. Comfort features include a ramp function and humidification. Suitability, accessories and local availability should be confirmed with your care team.
Löwenstein prisma25S
An example of a bilevel therapy device with adjustable breathing support and comfort options. It illustrates a different treatment category, rather than an interchangeable substitute for an APAP machine.
Devices shown are educational examples, not a prescription or a claim that every model is supplied by the practice. Images belong to the named manufacturers.
What can effective treatment improve?
For people with obstructive sleep apnoea, appropriately prescribed PAP can reduce breathing interruptions and snoring, improve daytime alertness and quality of life, and help blood-pressure control in some patients. Benefits vary and depend on effective, consistent use. Treatment does not guarantee prevention of heart attack or stroke.
Other options may include an oral appliance, positional treatment, weight management where appropriate or selected surgery. Insomnia, restless legs and body-clock disorders need their own treatment plans.
Discuss assessment or treatment support →05 / Make treatment part of everyday life
Small adjustments can make nights easier.
Start gently, then use it whenever you sleep
Practise with the mask and airflow while awake for short periods. Build towards using prescribed therapy for the whole sleep period, including naps. If you struggle, ask for help early rather than simply giving up.
Fit the mask — do not just tighten it
Check fit in your usual sleeping position with the machine running. Leaks, pressure marks or air blowing into your eyes may mean the mask needs adjusting or changing. Over-tightening can make discomfort worse.
Ask about dryness, leaks or pressure discomfort
Humidification, tubing and mask choice can affect comfort. Discuss dry mouth, a blocked nose, bloating or difficulty tolerating pressure with the team. Do not change prescribed pressure settings yourself.
Keep equipment clean and plan for travel
Follow the specific manufacturer’s cleaning and water instructions. Let components dry, check filters and replace worn parts as advised. Use only compatible power supplies and batteries; plan ahead for travel and power interruptions.
Use follow-up to solve the real problem
Bring the device or its therapy report as requested. Usage, leaks and remaining breathing events can help guide adjustments. Ongoing sleepiness deserves review even when the machine’s numbers look reassuring.
Living with sleep apnoea · Follow the linked manufacturer manuals for your own model.
Give healthy sleep a regular place in your day.
Allow enough time for sleep — most adults need about 7–9 hours. Keep a consistent waking time, get daylight and activity during the day, and create a quiet, dark sleeping space. Notice whether late caffeine or alcohol disrupts your nights. Persistent symptoms deserve assessment even when your habits are good.
Your next step
Let’s understand your sleep.
Complete the short request form. Our rooms will receive your details and contact you about an assessment or sleep study.
Request a sleep assessment →George: 1 on York Medical Centre, Mediclinic Medical Suites, Steenbras Road.
044 803 2497 · reception@dredgar.co.za
George consultations begin November 2026. Milnerton consultations continue until the end of October 2026.
General patient education, prepared September 2026. Your assessment and treatment are individualised. This page and the request form are not emergency services.