Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | PFH lab studying local residents sleep habitsAmericans set their clocks ahead one hour last weekend in recognition of daylight-saving time, losing 60 minutes of sleep. But Piedmont Fayette Hospital sleep specialists say the annual spring forward time ritual doesnt have to rob us of rest. Daylight-saving time marks the end of National Sleep Awareness Week, which is March 28-April 3. In recognition of the week, which is themed, Sleep Well Tonight for a Better Tomorrow!, PFH is encouraging residents to alter their lifestyles and add more sleep to their schedules not only for the time change, but also year-round. The National Sleep Foundation recommends an average of eight hours of sleep a night for healthy living, but most Americans consistently fail to get enough zzzs. The results of prolonged sleeplessness can be devastating. Sleep is not merely a time out from our busy routines; it is essential for good health, mental and emotional functioning and safety, said George Leslie, director of Piedmont Fayette Hospitals Cardiopulmonary Services. Even occasional sleeping problems can make daily life feel more stressful or cause you to be less productive. Insufficient sleep can also be extremely dangerous, leading to serious or even fatal accidents. We encourage individuals to discuss sleeping problems with their primary physician, who can administer a screening questionnaire to determine if they may need a sleep study. Piedmont Fayette Hospital opened its Outpatient Sleep Disorders Laboratory in December of 2003. The Lab evaluates patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness, difficulty falling and/or staying asleep, snoring and other sleep-related conditions. One out of every four Americans suffers from a sleep disorder, according to the NSF. About 4 percent have chronic sleep apnea, a potentially fatal condition that disrupts breathing during sleep. Other common disorders include insomnia, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement in sleep. The PFH Sleep Laboratory currently evaluates approximately 50 patients monthly. Sleep studies require a physician referral. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing problems related to sleep. For more information about Piedmont Fayette Hospitals Sleep Lab, call Cardiopulmonary Services at 770-719-6918. For a referral to a sleep specialist at PFH, please call 1-866-900-4321. |
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