News

Beebe Marks National Sleep Awareness Week

03/23/06

Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center will join hundreds of organizations around the nation to mark National Sleep Awareness Week® 2006, March 27-April 2. The Sleep Center will provide, by appointment only, free non-diagnostic sleep screenings, on March 31 at Beebe Medical Center.

The purpose of the screenings will help raise awareness about the importance of sufficient sleep, as well as the consequences of sleep problems and the sleep loss that can result. This timely event happens just three days before the clocks spring forward to Daylight Saving Time at 2 am on Sunday, April 2, when too many people choose to lose a precious hour of sleep. Sleep technologists will be on providing the sleep screenings and tips on why it is important to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, good health and safety. They will also provide tips to help all family members get a good night's sleep on a regular basis.

Sleep is essential for good health, safety, and optimum performance. Lack of sleep affects your mood and behavior, and contributes to poor performance, said Trina Clark, Director, Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Center. Many of America's adults sleep poorly. According to polls by the National Sleep Foundation, sleep problems are widespread and on the rise, but they are often ignored. Even children are getting less sleep than experts recommend.

Trina Clark also noted, The general public doesn't always consider the dangerous consequences that can result from lack of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the cost to U.S. employers in lost productivity alone resulting from sleeplessness is an estimated $18 billion.

The consequences of sleep deprivation can be particularly lethal on the road. A recent National Sleep Foundation poll found that about 60 percent of adults licensed to drive - 118 million people - reported they drove while drowsy in the past year; more than one-third (37%) of these drivers said they either nodded off or actually fell asleep at the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that at least 100,000 police-reported crashes and 1,500 deaths occur in the U.S. each year because of drowsy driving.

Sleep deprivation can result from undiagnosed insomnia or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy. Many of these problems can be treated; however, they often go undiagnosed, causing millions of Americans to suffer from unnecessary sleep loss at night and its repercussions during the day. While there are many daytime consequences of a bad night's sleep, some are more apparent than others. NSF and Beebe's Sleep Disorders Center, suggest you be aware of these six symptoms that can signal inadequate sleep, and if any apply to you, discuss them with a doctor or other health care provider:

" Dozing off while engaged in an activity such as reading, watching TV, sitting in meetings, or sitting in traffic

" Slowed thinking and reacting

" Difficulty listening to what is said or understanding directions

" Frequent errors or mistakes

" Depression or negative mood

" Impatience or being quick to anger

To learn more about the benefits of adequate sleep, the serious health and safety consequences of sleep disturbances and sleep disorders, and ways to ensure a good night's sleep, call Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center to schedule your free non-diagnostic sleep screening on March 31, where you can talk to a sleep technologist and have your levels of daytime sleepiness assessed. Sleep: As Important as Diet and Exercise (Only Easier!) is the theme for National Sleep Awareness Week® 2006.

For more information about this event or to schedule your educational screening, call Beebe's Sleep Disorders Center at (302) 645-3186.

Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center is a National Sleep Awareness Week® (NSAW) 2006 Community Sleep Awareness Partner® working with the National Sleep Foundation to raise awareness about the importance of sleep. More information about NSAW, sleep, and sleep disorders is available at NSF's Web site, www.sleepfoundation.org.

National Sleep Awareness Week® is a registered trademark of the National Sleep Foundation. Use of this trademark and the related logo in advertising or promotions of any sort is limited to 2006 National Sleep Awareness Week® Corporate Contributors, Community Sleep Awareness Partners®, and Sleep Awareness Co-Sponsors.

Beebe Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center with a mission to encourage healthy living, prevent illness, and restore optimal health with the people residing, working, or visiting in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit us online at .