SLEEP CENTER
Sleep Disorders: A 24-hour-a-day Problem
The need for sleep is so compelling that we slumber away 20 to 25 years of our lives. Proper sleep keeps us active and filled with energy for each new day. Yet millions of people are unable to sleep well. In fact, some 120 sleep disorders have already been identified.
Trouble with sleep is more than just a minor annoyance – it can affect us 24 hours a day. For some, sleep disorders are lifelong illnesses that make normal work and social activities impossible. Problems with sleep can even be potentially life-threatening. And because these problems most often occur during sleeping hours, they are difficult to diagnose.
St. Edward Mercy Sleep Studies Center
With concern for people in the community who are affected by problems with sleep, St. Edward Mercy Health System opened its Sleep Studies Center in August 1992.
The center offers tests that diagnose and evaluate many types of sleep disorders. These are studies, not treatments. However, they aid physicians in deciding how best to help patients who have problems related to sleeping.
The studies are performed by technicians, who send the results to physicians specifically trained in sleep disorders and testing. The doctors interpret the information and send it on to your personal physician, who will discuss it with you.
The medical center's sponsors, the Religious Sisters of Mercy, hope that this service will help "put to rest" excessive sleepiness during the day, feelings of anxiety, inability to concentrate, morning headaches and other symptoms experienced by people with sleep disorders.
Problems the Sleep Studies Center Evaluates
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Some sleep disorders cause sleepiness during the day and often impair a person’s ability to perform normal daytime activities. Daytime sleepiness can be caused by various conditions including:
Sleep Apnea – disturbance of breathing during sleep. Loud snoring is a definite sign of this disorder. Roommates may notice pauses in breathing, but patients are unaware of this problem. Sleep apnea can be associated with or lead to high blood pressure and increased risk of stroke.
Myoclonus – muscle spasms that cause the arms or legs to jerk during sleep. This leads to many short awakenings, which disturb the quality of sleep.
Narcolepsy – falling asleep at inappropriate times such as while eating, talking or driving. Narcolepsy may also cause sudden onset of weakness, which could result in falling down, especially when experiencing strong emotions such as laughing or crying.
Insomnia
Some people have difficulty falling asleep at night and then awaken during the night or wake up earlier than they would like to. Some causes of insomnia are chronic tension, sleep-habit problems, drugs and drug dependency and sleep apnea (disturbance of breathing).
Other
Other sleep-related disorders include sleepwalking, sleeptalking, bedwetting, nightmares, night terrors, teeth grinding, nocturnal (nighttime) convulsive movements or seizures and problems caused by shift work. Each of these disorders are evaluated in the Sleep Studies Center.
What happens during an evaluation
After your physician has determined your need for a sleep study, the office staff will schedule the test through the St. Edward Mercy outpatient department. Typically you will arrive around 8 p.m. and fill out a medical questionnaire.
You will then be taken to a comfortable room, where monitors will be attached to your head area before you go to sleep. A technologist in an adjoining room will observe your sleep movements. The next day, a sleep specialist will review the study and pass on the results to your referring physician.
Once a diagnosis is made, most sleep disorders can be treated effectively with medication, a change in daily habits or a change in working hours. In the case of sleep apnea, upper airway surgery, weight loss or a mechanical device to maintain an open airway may be suggested.
To learn more
For more information, consult your personal physician or call David Mansell at the St. Edward Mercy Sleep Studies Center, (479) 314-6184.
Healthy Habits Conversations
This interactive online conversation will help people manage common health issues. Click on the link below for more information about how to manage sleep problems.
For more information call 479-314-6184 or send an e-mail request to dmansell@ftsm.mercy.net. | 
