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 Are you tired of being tired??? There may be more than 80 sleep disorders recognized by the AASM (American Academy of Sleep Medicine) and it is estimated that more than 70 million Americans are affected by these sleep disorders.
Symptoms of some of these sleep disorders may include:
*Daytime sleepiness
*Morning headache
*Waking up early in the morning
*Snoring or gasping during sleep
*Difficulty falling asleep or staying awake
*Long periods of wakefulness at night
*Paused breathing or cessation of breathing
*Leg cramps
*Frequent moving throughout the nigh
*Talking or walking while asleep
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, do not fear; Greenbrier Valley Medical Center has diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders now available.
Our laboratory consists of two plush rooms with comfy queen sized beds and recliners where patients can relax and watch television prior to settling in to bed for the night. The lab may be new, but the staff is not new to sleep. Dr. Collins managed a sleep laboratory prior coming to the area, the two person technical staff have a neuro/sleep and respiratory/sleep background which are complementary to one another. The technologists are familiar with the various sleep disorders, what needs the patient may present upon arrival in the lab, and how to provide assistance to these patients.
Polysomnography (sleep study) is the study of multiple parameters that affect how a person sleeps. The EEG (electrical brain activity), EOG (eye movement) and Chin EMG (muscle tone of chin) are used to determine the quantity and quality of sleep being obtained, stages of sleep and the presence of disruptions during sleep are seen in these parameters. Other parameters of Polysomnography show what is disrupting a patient’s sleep. They include: EKG, Tibial EMG (leg movements), airflow and respiratory effort, and SAO2 (oxygen saturation). Technologists tally the percentage of each stage of sleep and the quantity of disruptions that affect the overall quality of sleep. The information obtained from the polysomnograph can help determine which sleep disorder(s) a patient may be suffering from.
Some sleep disorders like sleep disordered breathing, periodic limb movements of sleep, restless leg syndrome and narcolepsy may require a polysomnograph for adequate diagnosis and evaluation for treatments. Other sleep disorders may not require a study, as advised by the AASM.
For more information on the new sleep lab at GVMC please call 304-647-6559. |