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The Sleep Disorders Center is a four bed center accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine that is dedicated to the successful diagnosis and management of sleep disorders. Sleep studies are usually conducted at night and efforts have been made to make your stay as close to home as possible. View the Sleep Disorders Center at Regional Medical Center.

What is Problem Sleepiness?

Everyone feels sleepy at times. However, when sleepiness interferes with daily routines and activities, or reduces the ability to function, it is called "problem sleepiness." A person can be sleepy without realizing it. For example, a person may not feel sleepy during activities such as talking and listening to music at a party, but the same person can fall asleep while driving home afterward.

What causes problem sleepiness?

Sleepiness can be due to the body's natural daily sleep-wake cycles, inadequate sleep, sleep disorders, or certain drugs.

Diagnosis

Evaluation by a sleep specialist is recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of a sleep disorder. A sleep study provides doctors with information about how you breathe and sleep. This data will enable the sleep specialist to determine the type and severity of your sleep disorder. It can also help to determine your treatment options.

What to Expect

If you are diagnosed with a sleep disorder, the sleep specialist will work with you to tailor your therapy to your disorder. Insurance may pay for some or all of your equipment cost. Treatment may include medicines, an appliance or counseling.

Treatment Benefits

With proper treatment, people with sleep disorders can increase the quality of their lives. By using the prescribed therapy, people get the restful sleep they need. This can result in:

• Less daytime drowsiness and fatigue
• Improved memory and concentration
• Better work performance
• Less health risks, such as heart problems, high blood pressure or stroke
• Less risk of motor vehicle and work-related accidents
  

You may have problem sleepiness if you:

• consistently do not get enough sleep, or get poor quality sleep;
• fall asleep while driving;
• struggle to stay awake when inactive, such as when watching television or reading;
• have difficulty paying attention or concentrating at work, school or home;
• have performance problems at work or at school;
• are often told by others that you are sleepy
• have difficulty remembering;
• have slowed responses;
• have difficulty controlling your emotions;
• must take naps on most days; or
• score 10 or more on our online quiz.

Children & Sleep

Creating consistent routines, setting limits and positive reinforcement for good habits go a long way to bedtime success and behavioral independence during the night.

Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by the perception of difficulty in initiating or maintaining restorative, refreshing sleep.

Narcolepsy

This disease of the central nervous system causes components of rapid-eye movement sleep will suddenly occur during waking hours.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

This disorder can cause a person to experience unpleasant sensations in their calves, thighs, ankles and even arms.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Partial or complete collapse of the airway can inhibit sleep and hold certain dangers.

Women & Sleep Across the Spectrum of Age

As we age, the overall quality and quantity of sleep deteriorates. It is inappropriate to expect eight hours of quality sleep.

Consequences of daytime sleepiness:

• Decreased vigilance, i.e., the ability to receive information
• Decreased alertness, i.e., the ability to act on information
• Shortened attention span
• Decreased short term memory
• Prolonged response time
• Decreased mood
• Increased chance of motor vehicle accidents
  • as many as 6000 accidents per year attributed to daytime sleepiness
  • as many as 1550 deaths per year
  • the window between drowsiness and sleep can be as short as 4 seconds
• Increased risk for diabetes

Sleep Disorders Center at Regional Medical Center

Madisonville, Kentucky
(270) 825-5730 or 1-800-635-6506

Medical Director James Davis, MD
Clinical Coordinator Penny Hardison, RRT, RPSGT