Americans aren't getting enough sleep

Americans aren't getting enough sleep. Whether you are not getting enough sleep, not getting enough good sleep, can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, or can't stay awake, all of these problems could be a sign of a sleep disorder. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50-70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder.

While sleep apnea (when a person's airway closes or narrows during sleep, stopping or reducing breathing) is the most common sleep disorder, there are many other disorders that are equally as disruptive to a person's life. According to Dr. Joseph Leuschke, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at EAMC, lifestyle is often the culprit of sleep disorders. "Daytime sleepiness can often be accredited to using a phone, tablet or laptop before bed, not taking time to relax between the work day and sleep, and stress," Dr. Leuschke explains. "When people have trouble sleeping, it's much more than just sleep apnea, which can be treated with a CPAP. A CPAP machine (continuous positive airway pressure) is a machine that blows air into a tube which is connected to a mask worn by the user. When you have a sleep study done in a comprehensive clinic like ours, all of the different sleep disorders can be diagnosed, much more than just sleep apnea."

In addition to being board certified in sleep, Dr. Leuschke is a board-certified neurologist. When diagnosing sleep disorders, including those other than sleep apnea, it's important to understand that sleep disorders are often also neurological disorders. "Insomnia and narcolepsy are two of the most common neurological sleep disorders," Dr. Leuschke says. "It takes time to find an appropriate treatment for these disorders; it's much more than just taking sleeping pills alone. If you are prescribed a sleep study at a comprehensive clinic like the Sleep Disorders Center, if you suffer from any sleeping disorder, we have the ability to diagnose and treat that as well."

Renae Davis, Sleep Disorders Center director, explains that the benefits of having a sleep study done far outweigh the inconvenience. "As a sleep apnea patient myself, I can personally say a diagnosis and CPAP machine make a huge difference," Davis says. "Before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I didn't realize how tired I was throughout the day. Once I started wearing a CPAP I couldn't believe how much better I felt. Typically you're living with a sleep disorder for such a long time you think that the way you feel is normal."

Davis explains that at the Sleep Disorders Center, they are always looking for ways to improve patient experience and make having a sleep study a convenient process for patients. "Having a neurologist who can diagnose the brain disorders associated with sleep disorders, and having pulmonologists who can diagnose the lung functions and breathing disorders, is part of what makes our clinic unique," Davis says. "In addition, we now handle pre-authorization for insurance here in the clinic, to help make the entire process smoother and less confusing for patients."

John Spradlin, who was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the Sleep Disorders Center, remembers how easy his sleep study process was. "I was having shortness of breath so my family doctor recommended I have a sleep study done," Spradlin says. "I chose the sleep center in Opelika because I trust the physicians there and I think that they are the best around. The entire process was simple, the facility was comfortable and clean, and the doctors were great."

Spradlin, who suffers from heart disease and underwent heart surgery in his 50s, says that his shortness of breath has improved since he started wearing his CPAP machine. "I could tell a difference in about a week," he says. "I started feeling better very soon after wearing my CPAP machine and I have less shortness of breath. I'm really glad I had a sleep study done."

"We offer expertise in neurology, pulmonology, and in addition, we have direct access to psychology and the rapid response team," Dr. Leuschke explains. "We have the support of the entire EAMC administration and staff, which allows our sleep center to run smoothly. Because the Sleep Disorders Center is located within the hospital, there is direct access to many different departments. We are a 'full service' sleep lab, not just a sleep apnea clinic. We also offer appropriate follow-up and instruction after a sleep study is performed. We have certified technologists and staff, and there is always someone here to answer any questions that you may have."