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Medical research in this area has produced effective methods of treatment. Properly applied, these procedures have restored people to happier, healthier, more productive lives. Yet studies reveal that over 40 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, with the majority receiving little or no treatment. At Cullman Regional Medical Center, we are committed to meeting the health care needs of our community and it is for this reason that CRMC has established the Sleep Disorders Center (SDC). As opposed to a sleep lab, which primarily addresses sleep apnea, the SDC at CRMC handles all sleep disorders; it is staffed by medical professionals specially trained to identify and treat sleep disorders. To be of greater assistance, we have included on this page a list of the most common of these conditions followed by a brief description of their symptoms. If you or someone you know suffers from one of these, call the SDC at (256)737-2140 for more information. Types of Disorders Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common and frequently occurring sleep disorder. It involves a collapse of the airway walls resulting in loud snoring and the inability to breath. Someone with obstructive sleep apnea may stop breathing for ten seconds or longer, dozens, even hundreds of times each night. Narcolepsy Narcolepsy is excessive daytime drowsiness with a tendency to sleep at inappropriate times regardless of activity or circumstance. Narcolepsy can manifest itself in mild or severe forms. Periodic Limb Movement/Restless Legs Syndrome Periodic limb movement (PLM) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are related disorders. PLM occurs most often when a person is asleep and movements are unconscious. People suffering from PLM may feel sleepy, have insomnia, or their limbs may feel tired during the day. RLS occurs only when a person is awake and is a voluntary response to uncomfortable or painful feelings in the limbs. Insomnia This sleeping disorder plagues one out of every three Americans. Symptoms include trouble initiating or sustaining sleep and depression or irritability. Insomnia disturbs a person's waking hours as well as their sleeping hours. Parasomnia Parasomnia refers to a wide variety of disruptive sleep-related events. Behavior could include confusional arousals, sleepwalking or sleep terrors. These behaviors and experiences occur usually while sleeping, and are most often infrequent and mild. They may, however, happen often enough or become so bothersome that medical attention is required. Gastroesophageal Reflux In some cases people suffering from this sleeping disorder may complain of heartburn. In other instances, individuals may experience a bitter taste, hoarseness, or a sore throat upon awakening. Insomnia or a persistent cough or clearing of one's throat may be a symptom of this disorder. Sleep Disorders Center Services Counseling Sleep disorders can often be effectively treated with advice and training in special techniques. For those cases requiring specialized counseling, an appropriate referral will be arranged. Testing Testing includes overnight observation to monitor heart function, stages of sleep, blood oxygen levels and sleeping positions. These procedures are performed in the friendly, comfortable environment unique to the Sleep Disorders Center. Insurance Sleep disorders are recognized as medical problems. Individual insurance carriers however, vary tremendously in their reimbursement policies. It is suggested that each patient contact his or her insurance provider prior to testing. CRMC will make every effort to assist the patient with their claim. Insurance claims are filed on behalf of the patient by CRMC. Appointments A request for a sleep evaluation may be initiated by your primary physician. All arrangements will be made, as needed through the Sleep Disorders Center staff. The American Sleep Apnea Association Mission Statement:The American Sleep Apnea Association is dedicated to reducing injury, disability, and death from sleep apnea and to enhancing the well-being of those affected by this common disorder. The ASAA promotes education and awareness, research and continuous improvement of care. The A.W.A.K.E. Program is a National network of voluntary mutual support groups sponsored by the ASAA. The local chapter is coordinated by the CRMC CPAP Care Center (CCC), which is located on the CRMC campus located on the first floor of POB II, Suite 110. If you would like to participate, please contact the CPAP Care Center of CRMC at (256) 737-2753 or write to 1912 Alabama Highway 157, Cullman, Alabama 35058. You are also welcome to contact the CCC to be added to their mailing list. The ASAA A.W.A.K.E. Program plays a crucial role in the ASAA's efforts to educate the public and to serve as an advocate for those affected by sleep apnea. "A.W.A.K.E." is an acronym for "Alert, Well, and Keeping Energetic," characteristics that are uncommon in persons with untreated apnea. These meetings are held regularly, often with guest speakers invited to address the group. Topics may include advice on complying with CPAP therapy, legal issues affecting those with sleep apnea, weight loss, current trends in the field such as oral appliances, and new research findings. Visit the American Sleep Apnea Web site ,at www.sleepapnea.org. How to schedule a sleep study... A visit to a sleep disorders facility for a sleep study is likely to be a new experience for you. A sleep study, or polysomnogram is a painless recording that includes measurements used to identify different sleep stages and classify various sleep problems. We urge you to learn more about sleep testing procedures upon your arrival to the CRMC Sleep Disorders Center so that your experience will be easy and interesting. A request for a sleep evaluation may be initiated by your primary care physician, or self-referral depending on what kind of insurance coverage you have obtained. Contact Dr. Mark Tafazoli at (256) 775-1090 or Dr. G. Scott Warner at (256) 739-7050, to schedule an evaluation with a local sleep specialist. Some sleep disorders can be resolved out of the physician's office; others will require an overnight sleep study. These physician offices will contact the CRMC Sleep Disorders Center for scheduling if it is determined determined that an overnight study is necessary. Some of you may ask why it is necessary to have a sleep study. In order to fully understand your sleep and any problems with it, we need to look at various brain activities and body systems and their relationships throughout the night. After the study, your physician will review and interpret the record to help you and your healthcare provider understand your specific sleep patterns. Treatment recommendations will be made if evidence of a sleep disorder is found. The sleep study and its analysis and interpretation are part of a complex process. Many hours of work are required by specially trained professionals, including sleep technologists who process or "score" the large amount of data recorded during the study. The information is then interpreted by a sleep specialist with special knowledge of sleep and its disorders. A typical sleep study involves more than 800 pages of data of various kinds (for example, brain waves, muscle movements, and eye movements). Because this is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process, sleep studies are usually not evaluated immediately, and it may take some time to receive the results of your study. A representative from the sleep center should be able to give you an idea when the results will be available. The most commonly asked question is how will I be able to sleep in a strange environment, with those wires on.... Many people expect the sleep center to be cold, bright, technical and impersonal looking. At CRMC the surroundings are homey and comfortable, like a hotel room. The technical equipment and technicians will be in a room separate from your sleeping room, and the electrode wires will be gathered together in a kind of ponytail behind your head so that you will be able to roll over and change positions almost as easily as you would at home. The electrodes may feel strange on your skin at first, but most people do not find them uncomfortable or an obstacle to falling asleep. Your physician recognizes that your sleep in the center may not be exactly like your sleep at home. This usually does not interfere with obtaining the necessary information from your study. You will arrive at the center - usually between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. - our technician will greet you and show you to your bedroom. You will be shown the equipment that will be used and given a chance to ask questions. You will also have time to change into nightclothes and get ready for bed as you do at home. While you are sleeping, various important body functions and measurements are recorded. Our technician will monitor your sleep throughout the night from a nearby room. Try not to be nervous, we have monitored hundreds even thousands of patients. After your sleep study, your physician will review the data and discuss the findings with you. You will most likely have a follow-up visit with your physician one month after the sleep study for continual patient care. We hope that your experience at our facility will be a good one. Understanding the sleep process and the evaluation of sleep disorders will help you take an active and positive role in your own care. Further reading on overnight sleep studies:  Sleep, Dreaming and Sleep Disorders, by William H. MoorcroftSnoring and Sleep Apnea, by Ralph A. Pascualy, MD, and Sally Warren SoestNo More Sleepless Nights, by Peter Hauri, PhD. And Shirley Linds, PhDSpecial thanks to the AASM for the above information. At the Sleep Disorders Center of CRMC, we are dedicated to working hard, so that you can rest easy. For more information, contact the Sleep Disorders Center of CRMC at (256) 737-2140. |
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| 1912 Alabama Highway 157, Cullman, Alabama, 35058, (256) 737-2000 | ||||||||||
