Robin Kutzer, polysomnographic technologist for Clearfield Hospital’s Sleep Studies Department, at right, shows Margaret Jean Eshelman of Curwensville the mask of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.Mrs. Eshelman has sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. She uses a CPAP machine to help her sleep.
For more information on sleep disorders, contact the Clearfield Hospital Sleep Studies Department at 814.768.2064.
“As a child, I had a hard time getting up in the morning. I was always sleepy. It was so bad that I held the school record for tardiness, even though I lived closer to the school than anyone. And I fell asleep in class,” she recalled.
The problem didn’t go away in adulthood. Every night, she tossed and turned. Sometimes she would be so awake that she would watch television or read to pass the time. She often felt tired during the day, sometimes even nodding off.
In 2002, while driving to a seminar in Altoona, Mrs. Eshelman fell asleep at the wheel. Her car went off the road and rolled over several times. She wasn’t injured.
“Thank goodness no one else was hurt. An angel was with me that day,” she said.
Even after the accident, it didn’t cross her mind that she might be suffering from a sleep disorder. Not sleeping well had been a way of life for so long that she didn’t realize it wasn’t normal.
However, after her grandson was diagnosed with sleep apnea, Mrs. Eshelman began to consider the possibility she might have a sleep disorder. She discussed her concerns with Dr. Amy Hays of Curwensville. Dr. Hays, in turn, referred her to Dr. Bruno J. Romeo, director of Clearfield Hospital’s Sleep Studies Department.
Adequate sleep is essential
According to Robin Kutzer, polysomnographic technologist, failure to sleep enough can lead to short-term memory loss, anxiety, morning headaches, irritability, inability to handle stress and a poor immune system.
If not treated, sleep deprivation can lead to increased risk for heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and depression.
“Sleep is food for the brain and necessary for optimal health and daily function. Healthy sleep is as essential as a proper diet, water, fresh air and sunlight,” she said.
Because people suffering from sleep disorders have been known to fall asleep at inappropriate times, they can put themselves and others at serious risk when driving.
“Some patients report falling asleep at the wheel. They often don’t know they are even doing it until they drive over a rumble strip and wake up. That’s scary,” Mrs. Kutzer said.
She said adults need 7.5 to 8 hours of sleep a night. Kids under 5 need 11-12 hours a night, while older kids need about 9 or 10 hours a night.
“Throughout our lives, there may be times when we have trouble sleeping. Reasons include stress, life changes or illness. But when sleep problems are ongoing, it’s time to consult a doctor,” Mrs. Kutzer said.
Common sleep disorders
Sleep disorders are problems that cause people to sleep too much, sleep too little or have unrestful sleep. There are many types of sleep disorders, but the most common are insomnia (a hard time falling or staying asleep), restless leg syndrome (a prickly sensation in the legs), narcolepsy (daytime sleepiness) and sleep apnea.
Of these four, perhaps the most serious is sleep apnea, which happens when a person’s throat is blocked so air can’t get to the lungs. It causes one to stop breathing for short periods of 10 seconds to a minute during sleep. In severe cases, people with sleep apnea stop breathing 100 or more times in an hour. In between those periods the person may also snore, snort, gasp or make choking sounds.
Most people who have sleep apnea don’t even know it, Mrs. Kutzer said. It’s usually a spouse or loved one who calls attention to the symptoms.
Mrs. Kutzer said sleep apnea may be caused by several factors including: a person’s throat muscles and tongue relax more than is normal during sleep; one’s tonsils and adenoids are large; being overweight; and the size of one’s head and neck results in somewhat smaller airway size in the mouth and throat area.
Diagnosis and treatment
Mrs. Kutzer said those who believe they might have a sleep disorder should speak with their family doctor, who may decide an all-night sleep study is needed.
Clearfield Hospital’s Sleep Studies Department provides expert diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. Mrs. Kutzer conducts the studies under the direction of Dr. Romeo.
Patients come to the hospital to sleep overnight. Studies are also conducted during the day in the case of those who work third shifts and normally sleep during the day.
The department has two bedrooms with full-sized beds. Sensors that are placed on the patient monitor brain waves, oxygen saturations, the airflow in and out of the nose and mouth, chest and abdominal effort, heart rate, jaw and leg movements.
A computer records these functions while the patient sleeps. A visual graph is created and allows Mrs. Kutzer to study and compile the data. Patients are also monitored visually, and Mrs. Kutzer listens for symptoms such as snoring.
Once the results are analyzed and a diagnosis made, treatment for sleep disorders may include medication, behavioral therapy, breathing devices or surgery.
After her study, Mrs. Eshelman learned she had sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
For mild sleep apnea, lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, losing weight or dietary changes may help. A mouthpiece may benefit some people.
People with moderate or severe sleep apnea like Mrs. Eshelman are often prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. The machine takes air out of the room, compresses it and gently blows it into the patient’s body through a mask placed over the nose.
“I tell everyone who tries the CPAP that it will take time to get used to it. The patient has to have a mask he or she is comfortable with and that fits well. Once patients are used to it, they tell me it’s their lifeline. They feel like a whole new person. CPAP is something that is worn every time a person goes to sleep; if the person doesn’t wear it, he or she will still have sleep apnea,” Mrs. Kutzer explained.
She added, “I have patients who make their living driving and without the CPAP, they couldn’t keep their commercial driver’s license.”
Mrs. Eshelman wasn’t sure she could adjust to using the machine every night. She looked to her grandson for support.
“He was a wonderful role model. He faithfully uses his CPAP because he knows how much it helps. He even has a portable one for sleepovers,” she said.
It took about a week, but Mrs. Eshelman got used to it. She started to sleep all night. Within weeks, she noticed a big change in how she felt.
“I got my life back. I never knew I could feel this good. I’m up and moving in the morning, and I don’t feel like sleeping during the day. I highly recommend Clearfield Hospital’s sleep lab,” she said.
Mrs. Kutzer said Mrs. Eshelman’s reaction is typical.
“When patients finally come for a sleep study, they look physically drained and they are ‘tired of being tired.’ After being diagnosed and treated, they tell me how much energy they have and how nice it is to sleep all night, to stay awake through a movie or to drive to Altoona without pulling off the road to nap,” she said.
For more information, please leave a message for Mrs. Kutzer at 814.768.2064. She is also available for community speaking engagements.
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