Sleep Lab

Having problems sleeping? You may have a sleep disorder that keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep.
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Scheduling a Sleep Study

The Sleep Lab is open four nights per week and each week the schedule changes to accommodate patients with different work schedules. Our Sleep Lab performs sleep studies day and night, so if you usually work nights and sleep during the day, your study can be performed during the day. The Sleep Lab also offers the option of sleep studies on Friday nights twice a month. Sleep studies are interpreted by neurologists and pulmonologists experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. A physician’s order, medical history and physical are required in order to be tested in the Sleep Lab.

Insurance

Most sleep studies are covered by private insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, with some pre-approval required. For physician and patient convenience, Southeast files insurance with the appropriate carrier.

Sleep Disorders

Each year, millions of Americans report sleep difficulties. There are more than 100 recognized disorders of sleep and wake that interfere with quality of life and personal health. Most sleep problems are treatable. The Sleep Lab at Southeast Missouri Hospital sees adult patients and pediatric patients as young as five years of age. Statistics show that at least 84 disorders of sleeping and waking interfere with quality of life and personal health. Some of the most common sleep disorders include:

• Insomnia: Difficulty in falling or staying asleep
• Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Snoring can cause sleep disruption both for the snorer and their bed partner and can be a symptom of the more serious disorder of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing and usually decreased in blood oxygen levels. Left untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke and other serious health problems.
• Irregular Sleep-Wake Schedules: Individuals whose jobs require shift work may find that the demands of that work also disrupt the body’s normal biological rhythm.
• Narcolepsy: This chronic sleep disorder with no known cause is characterized by “sleep attacks,” which means that someone with narcolepsy may fall asleep at inappropriate times (such as when driving or talking or laughing). These can be dangerous as well as embarrassing and make it difficult to maintain normal function.

Accommodations

The Sleep Lab at Southeast Missouri Hospital is located in a quiet, new area of the Hospital. The lab includes four comfortable patient rooms, three of which feature queen size beds, carpeting and cable TV with DVD/ VCR players. One room is equipped as a special needs room for either adult or pediatric patients. The rooms are set up with equipment to monitor every move the patient makes while sleeping. Everything from a patient’s breathing pattern to heart rate is monitored. The Sleep Lab is staffed with Registered Sleep Technicians and Registered Respiratory Therapists. Shower facilities are located within the Sleep Lab so that patients may dress and go directly to their daily routine upon discharge.