Mahaska Health Partnership to host Sleep Center Open House
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – If you are having trouble sleeping or don’t feel rested, plan to stop by the Mahaska Health Partnership Sleep Awareness Open House to learn more about getting a better night’s sleep.
This free open house will be held Wednesday, March 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Specialty Services Lobby (entrance #4). Registered Sleep Technologist will be available to answer questions about your sleep and discuss possible solutions.
According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, most men and women need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. “Unfortunately, most people are not getting the recommended amount of sleep on a consistent basis,” Kai Schwab, MHP Registered Sleep Technologist, said. “This can be due to life events, physical changes or a more serious medical condition that, left untreated, can lead to more serious complications.”
Schwab explained that sleeping should be considered a person’s most valuable activity of the day. “Too often sleep is forfeited for other tasks. We need to retrain ourselves to value sleep because it affects our ability to perform in all other aspects of life. Sleep allows our bodies to recharge and prepare for the next day. Getting adequate sleep helps us maximize our time and energy during the day.”
The Centers for Disease Control said a lack of adequate sleep has been linked to many more serious diseases including obesity, heart disease and diabetes. “The duration and quality of a person’s sleep is associated with a metabolic shift that can lead to obesity,” Schwab said. “Although it is not always the case, people who are obese often develop obstructed sleep apnea; a condition where the person experiences breathing pauses that can last anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute or longer.
“These pauses in breathing can lead to increased blood pressure, which can trigger the body to respond in ways that may promote heart disease. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine estimates that 30 percent of people with high blood pressure also have sleep apnea.”
Schwab stressed that one of the key warning signs of sleep apnea is loud and erratic snoring. “Most people with sleep apnea find out due to their partner complaining of snoring. If you snore frequently, have long pauses during sleep and wake up snorting or gasping for air; you should speak with a sleep specialist to assess your risk for developing sleep apnea.”
For more information about how Mahaska Health Partnership is making healthcare personal with a free Sleep Awareness Open House, visit mahaskahealth.org or call 641-672-3163.
