News

Beebe Medical Center to Offer Free Sleep Screenings at Millville Fire Hall

03/19/07

In an effort to increase awareness about the importance of sleep and the treatment of sleep disorders, Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center will offer a free sleep disorder screenings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, at the Millville Fire Hall.

Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment in advance, please call 645-3186.

If an appointment needs to be cancelled on the day of the screening, please call pager number 441-2687. This pager also can be called that day to see if there are any openings.

Beebe Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Center works year-around with the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) to increase awareness of the health problems that come from inadequate sleep due to a sleep disorder, and that these sleep disorders can be diagnosed and treated successfully.

Snoring, for example, can be more than just a disturbance to a bed partner. Although most snoring is harmless, loud and continuous snoring may be a warning sign for a serious and even life-threatening sleep disorder called sleep apnea, especially if it is accompanied by noticeable daytime sleepiness, or waking up feeling tired and sluggish.

There are many daytime consequences of a bad night's sleep. Lack of sleep impairs work performance, increases the risk for injuries, and affects our mood and behavior. Many people may not be aware of symptoms that can signal inadequate sleep and a possible sleep disorder. These include:

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
Difficulty remembering or retaining information
Frequent errors or mistakes
Narrowing of attention, missing important changes in a situation
Poor judgment in complex situations
Difficulty coming up with a new approach to a problem when the old approach is not working
Depression or negative mood
Impatience or being quick to anger
Frequent blinking, difficulty focusing eyes, or heavy eyelids

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 www.beebemed.org.