The Importance of Rest, Rejuvenation and Repair is an Important Factor in Good Sleep Hygiene

South Central Sleep Center Provides Comprehensive Sleep Medicine to the Community.

Sleep hygiene is really important. A person’s health is related to how much they allow their body to rest, repair and rejuvenate themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), poor sleep health is a common problem with 25% of U.S. adults. The report finds insufficient sleep or rest at least 15 out of every 30 days in adults. Sleep, like nutrition and physical activity, is a critical determinant of health and well-being. Sleep loss and untreated sleep disorders influence basic patterns of behavior that negatively affect health, productivity and increase the chance for accidents. Board Certified physician, Joyce Wade-Hamme, MD, offers help to those living with sleep disorders.

Dr. Wade explains further, “If you have a body that is not resting, repairing or rejuvenating at night, you have a body that will start to break down.   Sleep disorders present itself with a lot of chronic medical problems that we see often in the state of Mississippi.”

Chronic health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart failure, can impact quality sleep. However, through a proper sleep assessment, help is available. South Central Regional Medical Center offers a comprehensive sleep center for local residents.

Dr. Wade explains the process of a sleep assessment. “We go through an interview with the patient that is a series of questions.  During this interview, we decide if there is a problem with sleep or wake because they are two different things.  We consider situations such as ‘Is this a sleepy person because they are having problems with moving, kicking or snoring.’  Or we ask, ‘Is it a person that sleeps for many hours with no fragmentation, but they are a consistently sleepy person.’  That person does not have a problem with their sleep; they have a problem with wake.”

It is important to determine which category a person fits into, because this decides the next step for treatment. Today, there are many advancements in sleep medicine treatment.

“Just because a person has sleep apnea does not mean they need a c-pap,” states Dr. Wade. “Things such as weight loss, positional therapy, medication for narcolepsy and dental devices are available. However, if a patient needs a c-pap machine the technology has evolved.”

Dr. Wade explains the advancements in c-pap machines. “C-paps are different now. They are smaller, quieter, and they have what I call a ‘cruise control’.  This means instead of having a set pressure on it, the machine adjusts to whatever the patient’s need is.  This person does not spend the entire night at a higher pressure that is not required for all phases of sleep.”

If someone experiences symptoms of sleep apnea, it is important to discuss it with a doctor. Without understanding the root causes of sleep apnea, it is difficult to treat.

Dr. Joyce Wade-Hamme earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and completed her residency and fellowship at The Ohio State University. With over 20 years of experience in medicine, Dr. Wade is board certified in pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, sleep medicine, and wound care.

In 2015, she established Tri-County Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic where she and her staff serve the individual needs of patients.

South Central Sleep Center and Tri-County Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic work together to provide quality sleep medicine treatment to patients in the Laurel community.  Patients schedule appointments by calling 601-326-2599. All clinical appointments are located at 424 S. 13th Avenue in Laurel. To learn more, visit scrmc.com.