Sleep is one of the most essential parts of life and directly impacts a person’s brain performance and overall health. Proper, restful sleep has many health benefits, including a lower risk of serious health problems, better immune system function, higher energy levels and more.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poor sleep is linked to many serious medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity and cancer, all of which are prevalent among men and women in Eastern Kentucky. In fact, Kentucky is one of the most sleep-deprived states in the country, second only to West Virginia.
The Sleep Center at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It is staffed by a highly skilled and dedicated team of providers and sleep medicine professionals led by board-certified PMC Sleep Medicine Specialist David Carter. Dr. Carter’s experienced team includes a nurse practitioner, certified polysomnographic technologists, and respiratory therapists, who treat a wide range of sleep disorders together.
“So many people don’t realize the health benefits of getting enough sleep,” explained Dr. Carter. “Sleep health contributes to all aspects of a person’s health, and getting proper, restful sleep can help improve overall health as well as many other related medical conditions.”
Dr. Carter added that patients often don’t know they need a sleep study, and most are unaware of the benefits of having one when they arrive for their initial visit to the PMC Sleep Center. One of the most common symptoms patients seek help for is snoring. Others include morning headaches, being sluggish or tired, pauses in breathing during the night and difficulty focusing or concentrating during the day.
Patients experiencing these or other symptoms are encouraged to speak with their family practice provider and ask for a referral to the Sleep Center at Pikeville Medical Center.
