Sleep Medicine

Nearly 70 million people experience sleep disorders, according to a study by the Institute of Medicine.

Lack of sleep affects the ability to concentrate, accomplish tasks, and manage minor irritations, and can impact memory and reasoning. Lack of sleep can be very dangerous and contributes to an estimated 100,000 automobile accidents each year.

Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital's Sleep Lab specializes in diagnosis and treatment of sleep-related complications for men, women, and children. Our team is able to address the causes of sleep issues and provide a variety of treatment options to patients in order to help achieve healthier sleep. 

Treatments

• Disrupted sleep  or work habits, often caused by shift work or travel

• Insomnia, characterized by the inability to fall asleep, often as the result of diet, stress, emotional difficulties, or underlying health problems

• Narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness, characterized by suddenly and unexpectedly falling asleep

• Nightmares and night tremors

• Obstructive sleep apnea, resulting in interrupted breathing and loud snoring, and can be caused by narrow nasal passages, large tonsils, alcohol or tobacco use, or weight gain

• Oxygenation problems

• Periodic Limb Movement Disorders (PLMD), noted for involuntary jerky movements in arms or legs

• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), characterized by tingly or prickly sensations that make individuals want to move

• Sleep apnea occurs when breathing is interrupted during sleep due to mechanical problems in the windpipe

• Walking/Talking during sleep