Many people are not even aware that they have sleep apnea. Often, a bed partner is the first to witness their symptoms.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a general term for breathing problems that occur during sleep. People with sleep apnea stop breathing throughout the night sometimes up to 100 times per hour.  Sleep apnea affects approximately 20 million adults, and has serious negative health effects when present with other conditions.

If you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, heart trouble or are overweight, treating your sleep apnea may improve all of these conditions while making you feel better.

What is CPAP Therapy?

CPAP is the most widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea. A bedside device gently delivers pressurized air through a nasal mask. This pressure acts like an “air splint” to keep the upper airway open and help prevent apneas. CPAP treatment does not involve drugs or surgery and helps hundreds of thousands of people worldwide enjoy healthier sleep and a healthier life. Many patients experience the benefits quickly – often after the first night of use. There is no cure for sleep apnea at this time.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital’s Sleep & Diagnostic Center is a state of the art sleep center. All aspects of the sleep center have been designed with the patient in mind. It features two private rooms with a relaxed home-like atmosphere.

Dr. Son Truong oversees Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Sleep and Diagnostic Center. He is board certified in critical care, sleep medicine, internal medicine and pulmonary diseases.   Patients will have their sleep study done at PVC throughout the month and then follow up with Dr. Truong in Larned during his monthly clinic.

Would you like to live a life where you finally have enough energy to go on walks and become more active doing the things you want to do? If so maybe it’s time to take action and see if sleep apnea is what is holding you back from the life you were meant to live.

Take The Sleep Quiz listed below and then talk to your doctor about your score and your obstacles to a good night’s sleep.  Your life is waiting for you, so what are you waiting for? It’s time for you to take control and be the best you can be.  You’re just one step away from a great night’s sleep.

THE SLEEP QUIZ

Read the statements below. Circle true or false.

1.  I feel sleepy during the day, even when I get a good night’s sleep.

             True                   False

2.   I get very irritable when I can’t sleep.

             True                   False

3.  I often wake up at night and have trouble falling asleep.

   True                   False

4.  It usually takes me a long time to fall asleep.

   True                   False

5.  I often wake up very early and can’t fall back to sleep.

   True                    False

6.  I usually feel achy and stiff when I wake up in the morning.

  True                    False

7.  I often seem to wake up because of dreams.

   True                    False

8.  I sometimes wake up gasping for breath.

    True                   False

9.  My bed partner says my snoring keeps her/him from sleeping.

   True                    False

10.   I’ve fallen asleep driving.

   True                    False

IF YOU CIRCLED TRUE MORE THAN TWICE, YOU MAY WANT TO DISCUSS YOUR SLEEP PROBLEM WITH YOUR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.  

Don’t wait, make the call today!

Sleep Apnea Awareness Clinic

• Second Thursday of Every Odd Month
• 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
• Pawnee Valley Community Hospital
• 923 Carroll Avenue, Larned KS
• Each month will feature a special presentation