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Highlands
Sleep Disorders Center
Highlands Sleep Disorders Center reminds you that
sleep is food for the brain. Get quality sleep, get enough
of it, and get it when you need it. We can help.
Are you a middle-aged male? Are you a male
with a collar size of 17 inches or more? Are you a post-menopausal
female? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then
your odds of needing the services of Highlands Sleep Disorders Center are greater than average.
Highlands Sleep Disorders Center diagnoses a wide variety of sleeping disorders,
including sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, periodic limb movements
(PLM), restless leg syndrome, parasomnias and gastroesophogeal
reflux disease. Highlands Sleep Disorders Center, located on the sixth floor of
Highlands Medical Center, is accredited by the American Academy
of Sleep Medicine.
Talk to your doctor about a sleep evaluation
or call Highlands Sleep Disorders Center at 256.218.3639.
Seven sleep-smart tips
- Sleep is food for
the brain. Get quality sleep, get enough of it, and get
it when you need it. Even mild sleepiness can hurt your
performance. Lack of sleep can make you look tired and
feel depressed, irritable and angry.
- Keep consistency
in mind. Establish a regular bedtime and wake-time schedule.
Don't stray from your schedule frequently, and never
do so for two or more consecutive nights. If you must
go off schedule, avoid delaying your bedtime by more
than one hour, awaken the next day within two hours of
your regular schedule, and, if you are sleepy during
the day, take a short, early afternoon nap.
- Learn how much sleep
you need to function at your best. You should awaken
refreshed, not tired. Most adults need between 6.5 and
8 hours of sleep each night.
- Get into bright
light as soon as possible in the morning, but avoid it
in the evening. The light helps to signal to the brain
when it should wake up and when it should prepare to
sleep.
- Understand your
circadian rhythm. Then, you can try to maximize your
schedule throughout the day according to your internal
clock. For example, to compensate for your slump (sleepy)
times, participate in stimulating activities and avoid
potentially unsafe activities, including driving.
- After lunch (or
after noon) stay away from coffee, colas with caffeine,
and nicotine, which are stimulants. Also avoid alcohol,
which disrupts sleep.
- Relax before going
to bed. Don't fall asleep with the television or radio
on - flickering lights and stimulating content can inhibit
restful sleep. If you work during the week, try to avoid
working night hours. If you work until 9:30 pm, for example,
you will need to plan time to "chill out" before going to sleep.
If you feel you may have a problem
getting quality sleep, call Highlands Sleep Disorders Center at
256.218.3639. We can help.
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