Do you snore loudly, feel sleepy during the day, have difficulty falling or staying asleep or fall asleep at inappropriate times? If so, you may be one of the millions of Americans with a sleep disorder.

"We all lose sleep occasionally, but a chronic lack of sleep can affect the way people feel and function," said Joaquim Tavares, MD, a board-certified sleep physician and Medical Director of the Sleep Center at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. "Obstructive sleep apnea -- a common sleep disorder that causes people to stop breathing for brief periods many times during the night -- can also increase the risk for high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke and other medical problems."

Specialists at the Sleep Center can evaluate your sleep concerns and may perform overnight sleep studies to determine if you have a sleep disorder. "Overnight sleep studies are a painless way for us to monitor patients' heart, lung and brain activity while they sleep," said Darin Sheahan, a sleep technician at the Sleep Center.

Doctors interpret the test results and may recommend treatments that can help patients get a good night's sleep. For example, continuous positive airway pressure devices may be recommended to patients with sleep apnea -- a condition that causes frequent, momentary stops in breathing.

"Most patients see a dramatic improvement once they receive treatment for sleep disorders," Dr. Tavares said. "They feel better and have more energy, and getting enough sleep also enhances their health. Many patients are surprised by the positive changes because they didn't realize how their lack of sleep was affecting them."

Don't suffer in silence. Talk with your doctor if you're concerned about your sleep. For more information about the services available or to schedule an appointment at the Sleep Center at Desert Springs Hospital, please call 369-7537.

Lunch and Learn
What effect does sleeping well really have on you? To find out, Senior Advantage members are invited to attend "The Health Benefits of a Good Night's Sleep" luncheon on March 3 at 11:30 AM at Desert Springs Hospital. To register, please call the Direct Doctors^SM Plus referral line at 388-4888.

Patients stay in comfortable, homelike rooms during overnight sleep studies at the Sleep Center at Desert Springs Hospital.

The Valley Health System c/o Valley Hospital Medical Center 620 Shadow Lane Las Vegas, NV 89106