POMPTON PLAINS — People tend to sleep more in the long winter months. However, those who believe they are getting adequate amounts of sleep may actually not be sleeping well at all, and it can be hazardous to their health.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who don’t get enough sleep are susceptible to a variety of serious ailments, many of which can shorten one’s life. In addition, they may experience a reduced quality of life and productivity.
“A common sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea causes a person to temporarily stop breathing during sleep, and increases the risk for many cardiovascular diseases including heart attack and stroke,” explained John Penek, MD, FCCP, board certified in Sleep Medicine and medical director of the Sleep Health Institute at Chilton Hospital. “Obstructive sleep apnea has also been associated with incontinence, depression, behavioral changes, energy and memory loss, irritability, and sexual dysfunction. However, it can be diagnosed in a painless, comfortable environment and treated easily in many cases.”
Chilton Hospital’s Sleep Health Institute is offering free sleep heath screenings as a first step to diagnose and treat obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
Those who aren’t sleeping healthy can start the New Year off right by receiving help. There are five screenings scheduled for the beginning of 2013, all on Monday evenings:
Jan. 7
Jan. 21
Feb. 4
Feb. 18
March 4
The sleep health screenings feature one-on-one visits with a Chilton sleep professional for individualized assessment. The personalized nature of the screenings identifies if attendees are at a risk for sleep disorder and determines if further evaluations are needed with sleep specialists. The screenings are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Chilton Health Network, 242 West Parkway, Pompton Plains (about 1.5 miles from the hospital). For more information, call 973-831-5351. Register at www.chiltonhealth.org.