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The Sleep Study Center at North Valley Hospital

   
Better Health
through
Better Sleep
   
   
~ Obstructive Sleep Apnea ~
   
~ Periodic Limb Movements ~
   
~ REM Behavior Disorder ~
   
~ Restless Leg Syndrome ~
   
~ Narcolepsy ~ Insomnia ~
   
~ Shift Work ~ Jet Lag ~
   

   
Call 862-2229 for appointments
Sleep Lab is located at
3004 Hospital Way
Whitefish
(in the Medical Office Village immediately south of
North Valley Hospital)
   

Why is Sleep Important?
   
Sleep is the downtime our brain and body needs to rest, restore, and freshen us so that we can lead a healthy and productive life. During sleep, hormones and brain chemicals are replaced and balanced. Sleep keeps us sharp, alert, balanced, and functioning smoothly.
   

Normal Sleep
   
  • Bedtime the same almost every day
  • Fall asleep easily
  • Stay asleep through the night
  • Little or no snoring
  • Wake up feeling well rested and fresh
 
Abnormal Sleep
   
  • Unpredictable, irregular bedtime
  • Hard to fall/stay asleep
  • Snoring
  • Restlessness at night
  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Feel very tired almost all of the time
 
What is a Sleep Study?
   
A sleep study involves going to sleep overnight in a sleep lab. During the study, technologists monitor breathing, brain waves, heart rhythm, oxygen levels, and body movements. The sleep lab is quiet, safe, and private. Most people have no trouble falling asleep in the lab. For those that do, a mild sleeping pill may be given. The information gathered during a sleep study allows the doctor to see if you have a sleep disorder or not.
 
You Should have a Sleep Study if You:
   
  • Have excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Snore a lot
  • Have spells of NO breathing during sleep (Sleep Apneas)
  • Have seizures at night
  • Have bizarre behavior while asleep
   
You Might need a Sleep Study if You:
   
  • Have excessive daytime sleepiness and
  • Are overweight
  • Have a neck size greater than 17 1/2" (men) or 16" (women)
 
You probably DO NOT need a Sleep Study if you:
   
  • Do not get overly sleepy during the day
  • Have insomnia
  • Snore mildly without apnea spells
 
How will I be evaluated?
   
All people with sleep disorders are seen by the sleep medicine physician. Some people may need to be seen by a lung specialist, ear, nose, and throat specialist, psychologist, oral facial surgeon, or a specially trained therapist. Some people may need clearance from their regular medical provider.
 
 
Will overnight oxygen monitoring rule out sleep apnea?
   
Although people with sleep apnea may have drops in their oxygen, there are many people who have severe apneas but never drop their oxygen level. If you have the other symptoms of sleep apnea (tiredness, snoring, observed apneas, weight problems, morning headaches) only a full night sleep study will provide all the information needed for a diagnosis. Therefore, a normal overnight oxygen study does not rule out sleep apnea syndrome.
 
What about Insomnia?
   
Insomnia means that a person is unable to sleep which is common every now and then. However, if a person experiences insomnia often, it can be a serious problem. A full evaluation of an insomnia problem will often give clues about how to safely and effectively treat this problem. Our sleep staff is skilled at helping people with insomnia create a normal sleep pattern.
 
   

What if I ignore this?
   
You could be asking for trouble. We now know that sleep disorders can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, weakened immune systems, obesity, car accidents, and many other health problems.
 
Sleep Study Center
Staff
   
Managed by The Sleep Medicine Center
   
Call 862-2229 for appointments
   

   
Medical Director

Patrick J. Burns, D.O.
Board Certified Sleep Medicine
Board Certified Neurology

Neurology

Patrick J. Burns, D.O.
Paul Coats, F.N.P.
Bret D. Lindsay, M.D.
Don Stone, M.D.
Michelle Cheney, F.N.P.

Sleep Technologists

Carol Heater, CRT, RPSGT
Tim Hoselton, CRT, RPSGT
Whitney Petersen, CRT
Becky Ritter, CRT
Jennifer Caudill
Lori Kaufmann
Chris Frietag
Mandi Dahl
Shanna Zwick
Penny VanDort, Office Assistant

Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
   
   
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North Valley Hospital, Whitefish, Montana
Copyright 1999-2007