Achieve a Better Night’s Rest in the New Year
Sleep Studies program at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital diagnoses and treats sleep apnea.
SWEETWATER, Texas (Dec. 7, 2015) Millions of Americans have trouble sleeping, especially during the holiday season. While causes vary from person to person, lack of a healthy night’s rest can take an emotional and physical toll. Heading into the New Year, if you or someone you know suffers from trouble sleeping, Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital (RPMH) may have a solution.
“Sleep can significantly impact your ability to function throughout the day, affecting alertness, decision-making, and your mood,” explains Dr. Robert Eaker, a physician in Sweetwater who oversees the sleep studies program at RPMH. “We know that there are many in our community who can benefit from a sleep studies program, which is why we launched the service last year.”
The sleep studies program at RPMH utilizes various equipment and testing techniques that help pinpoint the cause of a patient’s sleep disorder. Once a diagnosis has been made, physicians can map out a treatment plan.
The National Sleep Foundation maintains that adults require approximately eight to nine hours of sleep each night to optimally function throughout the day. Recent national polls reveal that more than two-thirds of American adults and children don’t get enough sleep.
Causes of sleep disorders can stem from a variety of problems. Although changes in lifestyle or work schedule can disrupt your sleeping pattern, other problems that can affect sleep include anxiety, chronic pains, depression, and environmental conditions such as temperature and noise.
According to Dr. Eaker, a great candidate for the sleep studies program is someone who snores or often feels exhausted after a night’s rest.
“Individual with hypertension or high blood pressure are also likely to suffer from sleep disorders,” Dr. Eaker adds. “There are many other symptoms, but a leading indicator is listening to your own body. If you constantly wake up feeling tired, it may mean that you could have a sleeping disorder.
For individuals experiencing difficulty sleeping, Dr. Eaker has recommended that they first develop a sleep schedule and stick to it. By doing so, they can develop a more stable sleep pattern for their bodies to adjust to.
In addition, Dr. Eaker cautioned against smoking and consuming caffeinated beverages throughout the day, especially in the evening as they are both stimulants and can affect sleep patterns up to 12 hours after intake.
“Don’t start 2016 feeling tired and drained. Let us help you get the sleep you’ve been dreaming of,” Dr. Eaker says. “You literally have nothing to lose but sleep itself.”
For more information on sleep disorders or to schedule an appointment with the sleep studies program, please call 325-235-1701, Ext 3296.
