Are You Sleepy in the Daytime?
The
Sleep Laboratory at South Central Regional Medical Center in
Laurel can help! While the sleep lab treats a variety of sleep
disorders, the most common treatment provided is for obstructive
sleep apnea. This condition causes a person's airway to become
obstructed at night while sleeping, causing pauses or decreases
in breathing. Family members may report that the person snores
loudly and stops breathing. The snorer may be experiencing hundreds
of episodes a night, but unaware of their occurrence. In the
daytime, the person may only be aware that he or she is tired.
Do You Have Sleep Apnea?
If you are experiencing two or more of the following symptoms,
consult your doctor:
- Snoring
- Fragmented sleep
- Morning headaches
- Depression or anxiety
- Memory problems
- Mood swings, irritability
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty falling asleep
According to Robert Atha, Sleep Lab Coordinator at South Central Regional Medical Center, these symptoms are not comprehensive. "It is a good idea to consult your doctor about the possibility of a sleep study anytime your daytime alertness is not what it should be, even if you feel like you 'sleep like a rock.' Some of our most serious patients say this," Atha says.
Dr. John Wallace, a pulmonologist with Jefferson Medical Associates in Laurel, serves as Medical Director for the program. He and the sleep lab personnel have received special training in the field of sleep disorders medicine.
Remember, if you are getting an adequate amount of sleep each night, you should feel refreshed and alert the next day. Sleep is one-third of your life--don't take it for granted.
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