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Sleep Disorder Center
Not getting enough sleep may be more than an inconvenience. It can be a symptom of a serious health condition. The WRMC Sleep Center monitors patients while they sleep to provide physicians with valuable information used to identify and treat conditions that may be preventing patients from receiving a good night’s rest. A sleep study can be ordered by the patient’s personal physician or a referral can be made to the Center’s Director, Penny Wright.
Asking the Right Questions:
- 60% of patients have never been asked by their physician about the quality of their sleep.
- Less than 20% of patients have asked their physician about their sleep problems
Patients that May Benefit From a Sleep Study:
- Patients who experience sleep problems for more than one week
- Patients who find sleepiness interferes with how they feel or function during the day
- Patients whose spouses complain about their snoring or involuntary leg movements
What Happens During a Sleep Study:
A Sleep study is a clinical test that records a patient’s physical state during various stages of sleep. During the study, electrodes and monitors are attached to the patient to record brain waves, heart rate, breathing and muscle movements. A microphone records snoring. The patient is monitored by a technician on a closed circuit camera.
The Sleep Study Measures:
- Sleep Stages
- Body Position
- Muscle Tone
- Heart Rate
- Snoring
- Blood Oxygen Level
- Respiratory Events
- General Seep Behavior
Conditions Diagnosed by a Sleep Study:
- Narcolepsy
- Sleep Apnea
- Periodic Leg Movement in Sleep
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Circadian Rhythm Disorder
Evaluation:
Sleep studies are evaluated by a board certified Neurologist and a report is returned to the family physician with treatment and follow-up recommendations. If a CPAP study is indicated, it can be ordered by the family physician.
Are We Getting Enough Sleep?
- 40 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders
- 60% of adults report having sleep problems a few nights each week or more
- 40% of adults experience daytime sleepiness that interferes with daily
activities at least a few days each month
- 20% of adults report problem sleepiness a few days or more
each week.
The Cost of Poor Sleep:
- Fatigue contributes to 100,000 police reported highway crashes causing 71,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths in the United States each year further causing $12.5 billion in losses
- Lost productivity due to sleeplessness cost the nation’s economy an
estimated $100 billion annually
Secrets to Good Sleep:
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the evening
- Do not nap in the afternoon
- Exercise regularly - At least three hours before bedtime
- Establish a relaxation bedtime routine
- Use the bed for only sleep and sex
- Make the bedroom as pleasant, comfortable, dark and quiet as possible
If You Can’t Sleep:
- If you can’t sleep after 30 minutes in bed, get up and try a relaxing
activity such as reading or listening to music
- Remember to relax, try to clear your mind
- Use over the counter sleep aids with extreme caution and only for a
limited time
- Alcohol should NOT be used as a sleep aid
- See your physician if your sleep problems persist
Contact Information:
Respiratory Therapy & Sleep Disorder Center
Penny Wright, Director
1710 Harrison Street
P.O. Box 2197
Batesville, AR 72501
Phone: (870) 262-1219 or (870) 262-1349
Fax: 870-262-3194
WRMC Central Scheduling
Phone: 870-262-3232
1-888-373-6555 Toll Free
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