Sleep Lab at LCGH is a Comfortable Place

Are you aware of how sleep may impact your heart or your risk for a stroke?  Clinical studies have shown a link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and stroke.  OSA is a common condition in which the upper airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, causing a decreased airflow that stresses the heart and the body during the night.  If untreated, this condition has been associated with the development of various heart disorders including stroke, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms.  The Center is designed to test patients for Obstructive Sleep Apnea  (OSA), and Sleep-Disordered Breathing (OSB).

Some of the signs of OSA are: snoring, cessation of breathing during sleep, a feeling of tiredness during the day, and a history of high blood pressure.   If you experience any two of the aforementioned signs you should discuss them with your family physician, or contact the Sleep Lab at Lewis County General Hospital for more information.  OSB may cause daytime sleepiness, headaches, lack of energy, and chronic aches and pains.  Your doctor can assess your need to have further evaluation, and a sleep study will diagnose whether you have OSA or OSB and indicate the best treatment.  

In order to be properly diagnosed, patients spend a night at the Sleep Center in a private room located in the Medical Arts Building on the main campus of the hospital in Lowville. You can watch television, read, or just follow your normal nightly activities prior to going to sleep.  During the night your sleep patterns, breathing and heart activity will be closely monitored and recorded.   The overnight recording is safe and painless.  If the patient is diagnosed with OSA, a second night stay may be needed to help select the proper type of equipment and other treatment factors.

Clinical studies have shown that treatment of OSA may lower blood pressure, improve daytime energy and stamina, relieve excess stress on the heart and vascular system, and also reduce the potential risk for heart attack, stroke and heart disease.

According to John Marcellus, Director of Respiratory Therapy at LCGH, the Sleep Lab is a great diagnostic tool, “So far we have found the new Sleep Lab to be a great help in diagnosing sleep apnea and insomnia. Once we discover the sleep problem we can then prescribe the proper protocol for correcting it.”  John went on to say, “We have a number of the latest, modern breathing masks to select from.”   Eric Burch, C.E.O., told us, "The medical community has been very supportive of the new Sleep Lab.  They have referred their patients they believe show symptoms of OSA.  The lab staff helps to make the study as simple and pleasant as possible, the doctor receives the report and if necessary, treatment begins.”

Please consult your personal physician or contact the Sleep Lab at 376-5798.

Photo: One of 2 new sleep rooms with display of some of the available technology.