Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/545258
CATHOLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES /// www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org 2 The center is run by Whitney Sleep Diagnostics & Consultants of Detroit Lakes. It is coordinated by Karen Burchill, RRT, Supervisor of CHI Mercy Health's Respiratory Therapy Department. The studies are conducted right in the hospital, and patients receive follow-up from a board-certified sleep specialist. "Traditionally in a smaller town, the patient and his or her healthcare provider saw the results of the sleep study for the first time together and had to figure out what it all meant," says Jim Dunn, Whitney Sleep's Director of Business Development and a Whitney Sleep success story. "Now, the patient can talk directly to the sleep specialist, who interprets his or her study via telemedicine right at CHI Mercy Health. We are able to diagnose, treat, and provide continued follow-up for most sleep disorders right in Valley City." There are 84 different sleep disorders, Dunn says. Insomnia is the most common, but obstructive sleep apnea is the condition for which most people seek treatment. "Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the muscles in the back of the throat fail to keep the airway open despite efforts to breathe," Dunn says. "People with sleep apnea have these pauses in breathing anywhere from 100 to 300 or more times each night." In most patients who are referred for a sleep study, doctors perform what is called a split-night study. They use the first half of the night to evaluate the patient's sleep. If the patient displays enough breathing disturbances, they will use the remainder of the night to put the patient on continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, therapy and manipulate the pressure to make sure the patient is breathing properly in all phases of sleep and during all body positions. Follow-up with the sleep specialist takes place during a separate appointment. Dunn understands the full benefit of healthy sleep. In 2007, he had a sleep study done and learned he stopped breathing 25 times an hour. After starting CPAP therapy, he immediately noticed he had more energy, was more productive at work and at home, and was in a better mood all day. "You don't know how bad your sleep is until it is corrected," he says. "I have never met anyone who said they wish they had waited longer to address their sleep issues." There is a simple diagnostic screening tool that may indicate a need for a sleep study. See "Do You Have a Sleep Disorder?" (page 2) for more information. A healthcare provider needs to refer a patient for a sleep study. For more information, contact CHI Mercy Health at (701) 845-6529. Or ask your physician to refer you to CHI Mercy Health for a sleep study with Whitney Sleep. When Getting a good night's rest is crucial for both physical and mental health. For Valley City residents who can't seem to get their zzzs, a new sleep center at CHI Mercy Health is here to help. FAILS COUNTING SHEEP