The Saline Health System Sleep Disorders Center has been helping Saline County residents get a more restful night’s sleep for years, and has recently become an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accredited Sleep Center. To meet the requirements for AASM accreditation, a Sleep Center must meet a number of strict standards that hold those Centers to a higher level of patient care, safety and quality.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the leading professional society for the sleep specialists who treat snoring, obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders affecting about 70 million Americans.   

“Adults who regularly sleep less than seven hours per night have a higher risk of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and depression,” said Ty Gregory, Director of the Saline Health System Sleep Disorders Center. “Many residents are unaware that help is available – they don’t have to accept being tired as the everyday norm. We are committed to helping patients find effective treatment for their sleep problems and preventing harmful conditions associated with sleep deprivation.”

At least 12 million to 18 million American adults have untreated sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep illnesses. Once diagnosed, the recommended treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which provides a steady stream of air through a mask to gently keep the airway open throughout the night – making it easier to breathe.

“In patients with moderate or severe sleep apnea, CPAP therapy lowers blood pressure and is estimated to reduce the 10-year risk of heart attack by 49 percent and stroke by 31 percent,” said Gregory. “I’ve seen the lives of my patients improve tremendously with consistent treatment. Left untreated, sleep apnea may have a serious impact on overall health, even increasing risk of death.”

Saline Health System Sleep Disorders Center is located on the Saline Memorial Hospital campus across from the Emergency Department. Patients with loud snoring and symptoms of sleep illness should contact (501) 776-6197 to schedule a consultation appointment. More information is available online at salinememorial.org.

About The American Academy of Sleep Medicine

Established in 1975, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) improves sleep health and promotes high quality patient centered care. With nearly 10,000 members, the AASM is the largest professional membership society for physicians, scientists and other health care providers dedicated to sleep medicine. For more information, visit www.aasmnet.org.