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| Jodi Rogosienski, RPT, prepares the headbox and leads for a sleep study patient at Jones Memorial Hospital |
wellsville, NY (July 14, 2020) – A sleep disorder is more than just being tired. Sleep deprivation can put you at risk for a number of chronic health conditions including asthma, heart attack, and high blood pressure. If you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, wake up groggy, or feel drowsy during the day, maybe it’s time to talk to your provider about the Jones Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorder Center.
A
sleep study can identify the reasons you are not getting the rest you need. There
are many conditions that can be identified with a sleep study – including restless
legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and insomnia – but the most common problem identified by a sleep study is
sleep apnea.
“This a potentially
serious sleep disorder – especially for people who have had a stroke or heart
attack, or are dealing with have diabetes,
heart failure, hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure,” said Daniel Covel, Director of
Acute Care Nursing at Jones. “Those who have these conditions are more likely
to have sleep apnea and should strongly consider having a sleep study.”
Sleep apnea is snoring interrupted by periods of silence, gasping, or
choking during sleep. As the soft tissues and muscles in and around the throat
relax, the airway becomes narrower, causing snoring and breathing difficulties.
If these muscles relax too much, the airway can become completely blocked and
prevent breathing. After a short period of time—ten seconds to two minutes—the
brain realizes there is a lack of oxygen and alerts the body to wake up.
“Sleep apnea can occur hundreds of times during the night and the person
is not even aware of it,” said Jodi Rogosienski, RPT (registered
polysomnographic technician). “During a sleep study, the person is attached to
25 leads that record their brain waves, blood oxygen level, and
heart rate, breathing, and eye and leg movements.”
Sleep studies at
Jones Memorial are reviewed by physicians Dr. Neil Kline and Dr. Alex
Strassberg, sleep medicine specialists who make a diagnosis and recommend the
best course of treatment. “The final report and recommendations are sent to the
referring provider,” Jodi said, adding that sometimes a second study will be
ordered. “If sleep apnea is identified and a CPAP is the treatment, it can be
difficult to optimize the settings either as part of an initial study or with a
trial of therapy at home.”
A CPAP (Continuous
Positive Airway Pressure) therapy delivers lightly pressurized air through a
small nose mask while you sleep. The flow of air acts like an air splint to
keep the upper airway open and prevent snoring and apneas. Most people experience
almost immediate and total relief with CPAP treatment. “While wearing a CPAP
may take some getting used to initially, the masks are getting lighter and more
comfortable all the time,” said Jodi, adding that the machines themselves are
not big and typically come in a carry case for easy travel.
For more
information about sleep studies at Jones Memorial Hospital Sleep Disorder
Center, talk to your healthcare provider or check the hospital website: jones.rochester.edu.
