Sleep Medicine
An estimated one-third of Americans suffer from some sort of sleep disorder or disturbance. While many of these are minor, some can have serious repercussions ranging from excessive daytime sleepiness to hypertension, heart disease and even death. Fortunately, most sleep disorders are treatable once they are diagnosed.
North Mississippi Medical Center's Sleep Disorders Centers in Tupelo, Amory Eupora, Iuka and West Point help people overcome sleep apnea, narcolepsy, chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders. Patients receive an extensive evaluation by a sleep specialist and may be asked to spend a night or two at the Sleep Disorders Center for testing. A polysomnogram, or sleep study, is performed throughout the night in a private room, complete with sophisticated equipment to monitor sleep patterns, breathing, heart activity and body movements.
Anyone persistently exhibiting any of the following symptoms or conditions is a candidate for evaluation by a physician trained in sleep medicine:
- Snoring loudly or being awakened by your own snoring
- Awakening with choking or gasping for breath
- Breathing stoppages in sleep
- Excessive sleepiness during the day
- Sleeping at inappropriate times (while driving, talking, playing, etc.)
- Temporary weakness of body or speech muscles occurring with excitement, anger or other strong emotions
- Sleep walking, talking or flailing
- Nightmares or disturbing dreams
- Sleep-related seizures
- Repeated movements of the legs during sleep
- Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep
- Awakening too early or difficulty awakening
- Dissatisfaction with the amount or quality of sleep
The goals of the NMMC Sleep Disorders Centers are to:
- Provide high quality, accessible Sleep Medicine consultative expertise and appropriate diagnostic testing to the physicians and patients of our service area.
- Increase the recognition of sleep disorders as real contributors to health risk by physicians.
- Educate the public on the risks of sleep disorders and symptoms that justify referral to a physician.
Services are available through physician referral.
