Champions for Your Health

General Info

Sleep Services Nearly 50 million Americans chronically suffer from sleep problems and disorders that affect their careers, their personal relationships and safety on our roads, according to the National Sleep Foundation. That’s why the DCH Health System offers two accredited facilities to diagnose sleep problems, like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. DCH Sleep Lab at DCH Regional Medical Center DCH Sleep Center at Northport Medical Center

Extra Phones

Northport Medical Center: 205-333-4500

Hours

Regular Hours

Categories

Sleep Disorders-Information & Treatment, Clinics, Medical Clinics

Services/Products

DCH Regional Medical Center Sleep problems affect every aspect of an individual's life. In addition to chronic fatigue, sleepiness and restless nights, sleep problems can lead to high blood pressure, cardiac risks and many other health problems. Properly diagnosing a sleep disorder is critical to improving the overall quality of life now and in the future. Do you, or does someone you care about, have the following symptoms? * Snoring * Daytime fatigue * Always sleepy * Drowsy in the morning * Stop breathing or gasp for air during sleep * Frequent sore throats and dry mouth upon waking * Need for daily naps You could have a sleep disorder. Ninety percent of all diagnosed sleep disorders are obstructive sleep apnea, a condition in which the troat muscles relax during sleep, blocking the airway and oxygen flow. This results in the person waking up to 300 times or more a night to breathe again. Surprisingly, the person may not be aware of the disturbances, even at peak levels. How is sleep apnea treated? There are several forms of treatment for sleep apnea. Some include changing sleep position, losing weight or surgery. However, may sleep apnea patients receive highly effective therapy with CPAP; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This machine, which includes a lightweight mask that the user wears at night, uses air pressure to keep the airway open during sleep. An added benefit of this device is that it often eliminates snoring. Your sleep specialist can help you determine which treatment is right for you. How can you get a sleep disorder diagnosis? To find out if you have sleep apnea, or another type of sleep disorder, your family physician will need to refer you to a physician specialized in sleep disorders. Chances are that a sleep study performed at a sleep lab will be recommended. How do I get referred to a sleep specialist with the DCH Sleep Lab? If you think you may have a sleep disorder, inform your physician. Your physician can then determine if a referral to a sleep specialist is necessary. The sleep specialist may refer you for a sleep study. The DCH Sleep Lab is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and offers several rooms for patients to stay overnight for sleep studies. All rooms are warm and inviting with hotel-like surroundings, traditional furnishings and a television. Upon your visit, experienced sleep technicians attach sensors to your body so they can check for several activities while you sleep, including REM sleep, brain waves, oxygen levels and even snoring. The process is completely painless. Following your test, the sleep specialist will review your results for an accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendation. These findings will be reported back to your primary physician.

Accreditation

DCH HEALTH SYSTEM

Associations

The Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

Other Links

www.dchsystem.com

https://www.dchsystem.com/our_services/sleep_services.aspx

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