New Sleep Center Opens at Calais Regional Hospital
July 9, 2010 - Getting a good night's sleep just got easier with the opening of the new Sleep Center at Calais Regional Hospital, according to Respiratory Therapist Diane Canuel, CRH Director of Respiratory Care.
The new Calais Regional Hospital Sleep Center is equipped to diagnose a wide range of breathing disorders and other conditions experienced during sleep.
"The opening of the Sleep Center not only incorporates the most advanced monitoring and diagnostic technology, it also provides added comfort and convenience for patients. The convenient parking, comfortable room and accessible location will enable us to expand our program and meet the growing demand for services," Diane Canuel said. "Patients can also expect very prompt scheduling and evaluation."
Estimates indicate that as many as 65 million Americans experience sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea, a potentially life-threatening disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. Sleep apnea affects people of all ages, but is twice as common in men as in women. Studies have linked sleep apnea to high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and irregular heartbeat.
At the Sleep Center of Calais Regional Hospital, patients spend a night where they are monitored for sleep apnea and other disorders. The new service includes state of the art monitoring and diagnostic equipment and a trained technician in a comfortable setting with a sleep number bed.
"Sleep apnea tends to be under-diagnosed and therefore goes untreated," Diane said. "While for most people, the condition may lead to a feeling of fatigue and tiredness, it can have very serious consequences and have a negative impact on a person’s lifestyle."
Diane says the most obvious symptom of sleep apnea is severe snoring, followed by a short pause and then snorting or gasping for breath. Cessation of breath must last for at least 10 seconds; though in many apneas, episodes can last as long as two minutes and reduce the level of oxygen in the blood. Other symptoms include daytime sleepiness and morning headaches.
Contact Information: To schedule an appointment or to obtain more information on Calais Regional Hospital Sleep Center, call 454-9223.
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