Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital (SSMH) recently expanded its Sleep Lab to an advanced Sleep Center. The center accommodates more sleep study patients in a renovated setting, offering more patient comfort, convenience and on-site diagnostic testing. People who have sleep issues no longer need to wait for time in the lab or leave their community for overnight sleep evaluations.
Located at 1675 W. Jefferson St., Suite E, in Siloam Springs, the SSMH Sleep Center provides evaluation and treatment for a variety of sleep-related disorders, including:
obstructive sleep apnea- insomnia
- narcolepsy
- snoring
- excessive daytime sleeping
- restless legs syndrome
- shift work
- sleepwalking or sleep talking
- severe nightmares
Symptoms of insufficient sleep include:
- tiredness
- irritability
- edginess
- problems concentrating or remembering
- withdrawal or belligerence
Online Resources
- Sleep Study Podcast: Detailed information on sleep study, including the reasons and preparation for the procedure, how the procedure is performed, after care, and an illustration of the procedure.
- Sleep Problems
There are several types of sleep problems that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional.
Missing your ZZZs?
Millions of Americans don’t get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis. Sleep allows the body to renew itself both physically and mentally. Without regular sufficient sleep, we suffer. Thanks to the SSMH Sleep Center, many have found the help and relief they need for consistent, restful sleep.
Untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. In addition, daytime drowsiness caused by sleep disorders may contribute to work-related injuries or driving accidents, putting you and others at risk for serious injury or death.
While many are not aware that they have a sleep disorder until a loved one notices a problem, symptoms may include:
- Fatigue, lack of motivation and excessive daytime sleepiness
- Anxiety, depression and irritability
- Loud snoring or gasping for air while sleeping
- Pauses in breathing or racing heartbeat during the night
- Restless sleeping
- Morning headaches
- Difficulty concentrating or learning
- Frequent awakenings
- Nighttime sweating
The Dangers of Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is very common – affecting more than 12 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Though sleep apnea is a serious health risk, the vast majority of individuals with this disorder remain untreated. Sleep apnea is more common in men and persons who are overweight, and the likelihood of developing the disorder increases with age. People with sleep apnea can stop breathing from a few to several hundred times per night, for a matter of seconds or more than a minute at a time.
When this happens, the oxygen levels in the blood decrease and carbon dioxide increases – putting additional strain on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system.
Sleep apnea not only compromises your health, but can also make other illnesses or conditions more severe and difficult to treat. Sleep deprivation can affect every area of your life: mental concentration, physical fitness, personal relationships, work performance and safety. Left untreated, sleep apnea can have serious health risks including:
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Heart problems
- Stroke
Sleep apnea can often be cured through lifestyle changes, surgery or breathing devices. Treatment provides not only better quality sleep, but increased energy levels, better overall health and a higher quality of life.
A Sleep Study Can Help
If you have been experiencing a sleep problem for more than a month, your primary care physician can refer you for a sleep study at the SSMH Sleep Center. Using modern, non-invasive equipment, a specially trained sleep technician will monitor your heart rate, respiratory system, muscle activity, oxygen levels, brain activity, sleep movement and body position. The information gathered from the study allows a board certified sleep physician to evaluate and diagnose your condition. Your primary care physician will receive the results and use this information to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Take our sleep quality quiz:
Think you may have a sleep disorder? Ask your spouse, friend or a family member to help you answer these questions.
- Do you usually snore loudly?
- Is your snoring interrupted by silence followed by a gasp or snort?
- Do you ever fall asleep or almost fall asleep while driving, at work, or during other waking hours?
- Do you regularly have trouble concentrating or remembering?
- Are you experiencing mood or behavior changes?
- Do you often wake up with a headache?
This quiz is not a substitute for proper diagnosis by a qualified healthcare provider. Talk with your doctor about any symptoms you are experiencing.
If you answered yes to any question, take this form to your healthcare provider. Your symptom(s) may be related to sleep apnea or some other health issue.
David Davis, M.D.
Board-Certified Neurologist/Sleep Medicine Specialist
Medical Director of the Sleep Center
1675 W. Jefferson St., Suite E, Siloam Springs, AR
Dr. Davis received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, served his internship at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School Department of Internal Medicine in Dallas, Texas, and completed his residency in its department of neurology. He achieved board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in 1982, from the American Board of Sleep Medicine in 2000 and from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with subspecialty certification in sleep medicine in 2009.
The SSMH Sleep Lab has four staff members: Medical Director David Davis, M.D., a board-certified sleep specialist; Director Jeff Copeland, R.R.T., LRCP; technologist Alvin Graves, C.R.T., RPSGT, LRCP; and scorer Melinda Trimble, C.R.T., RPSGT, LRCP.
Our team helps patients with sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) therapy. SSMH Sleep Lab appointments must be scheduled through your physician. Call Director Jeff Copeland, R.R.T., LRCP, at 479-549-2578 for more information.