Everyone expects to fall asleep, get a good night’s rest and wake feeling energized. However, millions of people aren’t so lucky. Some struggle to get to sleep. Others quickly sink into sleep, but wake during the night. Still others think they’re sleeping well when they’re not, and wonder why they’re exhausted during the day. You need sleep…let the specialists in our Sleep Center help.

Sleep disorders are not just frustrating; they may have serious health consequences. That’s why Blue Ridge Regional Hospital operates a Sleep Center to diagnose and treat whatever is interfering with your sleep. Our affiliation with Mission Health System allows us to bring exceptional sleep professionals here, so everyone in our region has access to skilled sleep services. In fact, Mission’s Sleep Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. That’s the experience you can count on when you bring sleep problems to Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

You do not need a referral to schedule a sleep center consultation. However, one may be required for some services, so please talk to your primary care physician about your concerns and whether we may help.

To schedule a consultation, or if you have any questions, call 828-765-4201.

Symptoms of Sleep Disorders
If you can’t fall asleep, or wake during the night, then you’re already aware that you’re not getting the proper amount of sleep. Other symptoms are more general, and you may not associate them with lack of sleep. Some signs that you may have a sleep disorder include:

• Snoring that is often loud
• Difficulty concentrating or memory lapses
• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness
• Morning headaches
• Increased moodiness or irritability
• Obesity or rapid weight gain
• Waking up feeling groggy or like you didn’t sleep

Types of Sleep Disorders
There are different types of sleep disorders that may affect anyone at any age. Sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk for diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and depression, so proper treatment is important to prevent long-term complications.

• Sleep apnea – Characterized by loud snoring, sleep is interrupted when the flow of oxygen is blocked; this may cause depression, anxiety, memory difficulties, high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

• Insomnia – The inability to fall asleep or remain sleeping throughout the night.

• Narcolepsy – Excessive daytime sleepiness and uncontrollable episodes of sleeping at inappropriate times.

• Circadian rhythm disorders – The sleep-wake cycle is disrupted so that you’re awake or sleeping at unusual times.

• Restless leg syndrome – Crawling or tingling sensations in the legs when you’re awake and an irresistible urge to move your legs when resting.

• Parasomnias – Things that happen while you sleep that interrupt the sleep cycle, including nightmares, night terrors, sleepwalking, grinding your teeth, acid reflux syndrome and nocturnal asthma.

Sleep Center Services
The first step is to determine the underlying cause of your sleep problem. While an initial evaluation may result in a diagnosis, many sleep disorders require additional tests before an accurate diagnosis may be determined.

• Initial evaluation: We’ll ask questions about your sleep patterns, take a medical history and conduct a physical examination to assess your upper airway and overall health. We welcome sleep partners to the initial evaluation because they frequently have insight into snoring and other issues that may occur while you’re sleeping.

• Sleep Study: A sleep study, also called polysomnography, is done during an overnight stay at the hospital. We measure brain waves, muscle tension, eye movement, respiration, blood oxygen and monitor snoring while you sleep. Conducted in one of our relaxing, private rooms dedicated to sleep studies, all testing is painless and covered by many insurance plans.

• Multiple sleep latency tests: Performed at the Sleep Center, this test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep during the day.

• Maintenance of wakefulness test: This test measures your ability to stay awake during the day.

• Actigraphy: A wristwatch-like device worn for several days keeps track of when you sleep.

Treatment for Sleep Disorders
Board certified physicians develop an individualized treatment plan according to your diagnosis and the underlying causes of your sleep problem. Your treatment may include any of the following:

• Sleep hygiene education
• Lifestyle changes
• Bright light therapy
• Medication
• Behavior management
• Oral appliances
• NCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure)
• Melatonin
• Surgery
• Treatment of underlying health conditions

Medical Team
Skilled care for your sleep disorder is provided in the Sleep Center by an experienced, multidisciplinary team of Mission Medical Associates physicians and technicians, including:

• Registered polysomnographic technologists
• Board certified physicians and American Board of Sleep Medicine Diplomates

Appointments and Information
If you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 828-765-4201.

Even though you do not need a referral for an initial consultation, we encourage you to talk to your primary care provider about what is best for you.

Location
Sleep Center
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital
125 Hospital Dr.
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

Preparing for a Sleep Study
During your sleep study, you’ll stay in a private room that’s monitored from an adjacent control room by a trained sleep technologist. Expect to be at the Sleep Center for about eight to ten hours, unless additional tests have been ordered. A more accurate diagnosis will be obtained if you follow these steps before your sleep study:

• Diet: Do not drink any type of beverage containing caffeine on the afternoon or evening of your sleep study.

• Hair: Be sure that your hair is clean, dry and free of hair sprays, gels and oils because water-soluble paste will be used to secure electronic leads to your scalp. Following your sleep study, we will provide shampoo and soap so that you may wash the paste out of your hair.

• Clothing: Bring loose, comfortable clothing to sleep in.

• Pillow: Feel free to bring your own pillow from home.

• Medications: Bring all of your prescribed medications with you, even if you do not need to take them during your visit to the Sleep Center. In addition, bring over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or antacids that you might normally take at night.

• Sleep Diary: If you received a sleep diary, please complete it for the days immediately prior to your sleep study and bring it with you.

• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the hospital campus. Please let us know if you feel you will have difficulty complying with this policy.