By Community Services at Parrish Medical Center 

The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center of Port St. John can study and diagnose a wide range of sleep disorders

How many hours of sleep do you need? There isn’t one number that quantifies a good sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours a night; others manage just fine with six. It’s even possible to get too much sleep. Spending excess time in bed can be a sign of a health problem like depression or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Although many people attribute being tired to stress, getting older or their busy lifestyle, experts say that feeling drowsy during the day could indicate that you haven’t had enough sleep. Those who fall asleep within five minutes of lying down could have severe sleep deprivation or possibly a sleep disorder.

The most telling sign of a disorder is how you feel during the day. Healthy sleepers generally wake up alert, refreshed and ready to take on the day. However, if you chronically wake up sleepy, irritable and unfocused — and stay that way throughout the day —
you may have a sleep disorder, no matter how much time you spend in bed.

Sleep Disorders 

Sleep disorders can affect a child, teen, single adult, parent or senior citizen, and disturb their overall quality of life. More than 70 million people around the U.S. have a sleep disorder. In fact, 12 million Americans between the ages of 30 and 60 suffer from sleep apnea, making it more common than asthma. Surprisingly, most people who have a sleep disorder may not even know it. Others, who may be aware of it, never choose to seek the help they need. 

Factors that may indicate a sleep disorder include:

  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Heavy snoring combined with gasping or grunting noises during sleep
  • Use of medication or alcohol to fall asleep
  • Awakening several times a night from your sleep
  • Feeling very sleepy, perpetually tired, or falling asleep at inappropriate times (during meetings, while reading or watching TV)
The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center of Port St. John can study and diagnose a wide range of sleep disorders

The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center of Port St. John can study and diagnose a wide range of sleep disorders

Left untreated, sleep apnea is associated with increased risk of stroke and heart attack; accidental injury at home, work or while driving, caused by chronic sleepiness; and hypertension (high blood pressure).

The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center of Port St. John can study and diagnose a wide range of sleep disorders including sleep apnea, narcolepsy, REM behavior disorder, maintenance of wakefulness test, and nocturnal seizures. In addition, shift-work sleep studies are offered during the day. Patients can receive a sleep study referral from their primary physician or they may self-refer and make an appointment for themselves. 

If your unusual sleep behaviors — including lack of sleep or too much sleep — are interfering with your daily living,  the Parrish Port St. John Sleep Disorders Center will help you in a beautiful, peaceful setting close to home.

The Parrish Sleep Disorders Center at Port St. John is the only sleep center in Brevard County to offer self-referrals. Contact them today at (321) 268-6408 to schedule your sleep study.


This article appears in the February 2015 issue of SpaceCoast Living HEALTH.
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