Sleep Tight, Sleep Right
Does a good night of sleep seem like a distant dream? If the answer is yes, you are not alone! According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, about 40 million people in the United States suffer from chronic long-term sleep disorders.
"Sleeping well is the key to living well,” says Nancy Ruff, Supervisor of Door County Medical Center (DCMC) Sleep Disorders Facility. “Our goal is to reduce or eliminate sleep problems to improve people’s health and quality of life.”
Whether you are struggling with insomnia, sleep apnea or if you simply don’t feel rested, DCMC’s board certified sleep physicians, registered technologists and clinical sleep educators work closely with you to find the right sleep solutions.
What is a Sleep Disorder?
Most sleep disorders are marked by difficulty falling or staying asleep, daytime drowsiness, sleep-disordered breathing, or abnormal movements, behaviors, or sensations during sleep.
"About half of people with significant sleep disorders feel normal during the day. There is a misconception that you have to be tired and snoring to have a problem. This is not true,” explains DCMC sleep physician Dr. Andrzej Kurek. “Having a sleep disorder is similar to having hypertension or diabetes. You don’t ‘feel’ the disease but it is present and we still need to treat it.”
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are over 80 different types of sleep disorders, the two most common being insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea. Moderate to extreme sleep apnea can occur when the upper airway becomes blocked repeatedly during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing and a drop in oxygen levels. Most people are familiar with insomnia, which is characterized by an inability to initiate or maintain sleep.
"Some of the warning signs of a sleep disorder are fairly obvious,” says DCMC sleep physician Dr. Richard Hogan, “If people are overly sleepy during the day there is usually a reason for it. Waking up and having the bedclothes all torn up can also be a sign that the sleep is not good.”
Evaluation & Diagnosis
Located at DCMC’s Sturgeon Bay campus, the Sleep Disorders Facility is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and provides comprehensive evaluation with or without a physician’s referral. Taking into account your individual health history, providers use the latest technology to monitor your heart rate, breathing patterns, brainwave activity and other key indicators. These procedures are safe and totally non-invasive.
For in-lab sleep testing, the facility’s private bedrooms are architecturally soundproof and have individual temperature controls for comfort. Each room is furnished with a bathroom and shower, a flat-screen TV, wireless internet access, comfortable beds, reclining lift chairs, eco-friendly linens and a whirlpool tub. Complimentary breakfast is also offered.
Some patients may be candidates for at-home sleep tests. A full evaluation with one of our sleep physicians will determine whether or not this is an option.
Quality Sleep for a Better Life
Studies show that quality sleep is linked to better immunity, more physical and mental energy, increased ability to learn and retain information, and many more positive outcomes. According to Dr. Kurek, the most common treatment for apnea is a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), which tends to have an immediate impact on a patient’s sleep. “Their lives are changed almost instantly,” he says, “it’s wonderful to see.”
"What sets Door County Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Facility apart from many institutions dealing with sleep issues is the personal relationship we have with our patients and the careful follow-up that we provide,” says Dr. Hogan. “Success in sleep medicine depends on patient's compliance with the treatment program and this is directly related to the careful attention given to the care of sleep patients by the staff.”
To schedule a free screening, sleep evaluation, or to get more information, call DCMC’s Sleep Disorders Facility at (920) 746-3585.