Sleep Laboratory | Hannibal Regional

Hannibal Regional Sleep Laboratory

Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Sleep Lab provides assessments by certified and registered professionals in a home-like setting for patients suffering from sleep disorders. The Sleep Lab will work with your physician to determine the cause of your sleepiness and to create a plan to treat it.

The Sleep Lab is located in Hannibal Regional Hospital. The two home-like testing rooms both have comfortable queen-sized beds and televisions. Patients may use the restroom in the Sleep Lab during testing. During testing, patients are monitored from a control room within the Sleep Lab.

Poor sleep can be cause by a variety of factors. A sleep study can help determine which of the factors is interfering with your sleep. The Sleep Lab team will work with your physician to create a care plan to help you sleep better.

For more information about sleep in general or sleep disorders, call Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Sleep Lab at 573-248-5344.

Sleep Lab

Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Studies

Once you schedule your sleep study, you may have questions about what the experience will be like.

What can I expect when I schedule a sleep study?

You will come to the sleep lab in the evening. We will attach electrodes to you to monitor your breathing, heart rate and brain activity while you sleep. Test results will be recorded and interpreted by our medical director, who will make a diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan for you.

Are people able to sleep with all the wires?

Every attempt is made to help patients feel comfortable and relaxed. The wires are gathered and tied together, allowing you the ability to move and turn in bed without becoming tangled in wires. Some patients actually say that they sleep better in the lab.

Can I use the restroom?

Yes, there is a restroom in the sleep lab that patients may use during their sleep study.

Can I take a sleeping pill?

Yes. If you normally take a sleeping pill prescribed by your physician, you may take it on the night of your sleep test. At Hannibal regional Hospital Sleep Lab, we work hard to create a sleeping experience as close as possible to home in order to produce accurate test results

Does insurance cover a sleep study?

Many insurance providers do cover the cost of a sleep study. When the doctor’s order is received at Hannibal Regional Hospital Sleep Lab, the order is sent for pre-certification authorization from the patient’s insurance provider.

How can I get more information on sleep studies?

For more information, call Hannibal Regional Hospital’s Sleep lab at 573-248-5344.

What are some tips for getting a good night's sleep?

Get up at the same time each day
Exercise
Don’t nap during the day
Do relaxing activities in the half-hour before bed
Avoid caffeine from late afternoon on
Cut down on alcohol
Get some sunshine
make your bedroom dark
Use your bed only for sleep or sex
Avoid eating large meals or large snacks before bed

Sleep & Sleep Disorders

Most adults need from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Americans tend to put sleep on the bottom of their priority list. Lack of sleep can take a toll on daily activities and affect general health, physical appearance and create problems with creativity and memory. Studies have shown that lack of sleep goes hand in hand with more serious health problems, which can be life-threatening. Sleep deprivation can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, increased risk of stroke, and increased risk of motor vehicle accidents due to drowsy driving. Sleep disorders include:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness may be caused by medical conditions, not getting enough sleep, medications or sleep disorders. This condition may be treated with lifestyle changes, medication, or treatment for an underlying condition.

Insomnia

Insomnia is characterized by the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. Symptoms of insomnia can include daytime sleepiness, irritability, general tiredness, or problems with concentration or memory. Your physician will do a complete examination which may include a sleep study. Treatment for insomnia may include behavior modification or sleeping pills.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. It is caused by a neurological disorder that can cause people to quickly fall asleep or experience a sudden muscle weakness. Treatments include lifestyle management or drug therapy.

Sleep Apnea Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is the most common kind of sleep apnea and is caused when the airway has become blocked, causing breathing to pause for a few seconds. Obstructive sleep apnea is more common in overweight patients but can be found n all segments of the population. Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea include positioning, weight loss, avoiding alcohol, oral appliances, surgery, or continuous positive air pressure (CPAP).

Central Sleep Apnea is a rare condition in which the brain fails to tell the body to breathe. Treatment for central sleep apnea varies depending upon the exact cause and diagnosis.

Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome, the need to move your legs during the night to relieve uncomfortable sensations, can lead to insomnia. Treatment may include warm baths, massage and relaxation techniques.

Signs that you may need a sleep study:

Daytime sleepiness and fatigue
Lower energy levels
Waking up feeling tired
Irritability
Weight gain
Snoring
Heartburn
Nightmares
High blood pressure
Heart problems
Depression
Frequent accidents

Test Your Sleepiness and Fatigue

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale

How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in contrast to feeling “just tired?” This refers to your usual way of life in recent times. Even if you have not done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you.

Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation.

Situation Chance of Dozing	0 = would never doze	1 = slight chance of dozing	2 = moderate chance of dozing	3 = high chance of dozing
Sitting and Reading	0	1	2	3
Watching television	0	1	2	3
Sitting, inactive in public place (e.g. theater or meeting)	0	1	2	3
As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break	0	1	2	3
Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstance permits	0	1	2	3
Sitting and talking quietly to someone	0	1	2	3
Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol	0	1	2	3
In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic	0	1	2	3

Total your score
1 - 6 Congratulations, you are getting enough sleep!
7 - 8 Your score is average
9+ Seek the advice of a sleep specialist without delay

Fatigue Severity Scale

The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a method of evaluating the impact of fatigue on you. The FSS is a short questionnaire that requires you to rate your level of fatigue. A low value (e.g. 1) indicates strong disagreement with the statement, whereas a high value (e.g. 7) indicates strong agreement. It is important that you circle a number (1 to 7) for every question.

FSS Questionnaire
During the past week, I have found that:	Disagree <----------------> Agree
My motivation is lower when I am fatigued.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Exercise brings on my fatigue.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
I am easily fatigued.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fatigue interferes with my physical functioning.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fatigue causes frequent problems for me.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
My fatigue prevents sustained physical functioning.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fatigue interferes with carrying out certain duties and responsibilities.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fatigue is among my three most disabling symptoms.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Fatigue interferes with my work, family, or social life.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

Total Score:
A total score of less than 36 suggests that you may not be suffering from fatigue.
A total score of 36 or more suggests that you may need further evaluation by a physician.

Our Sleep Medicine Providers

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Sleep Medicine