Sleep Medicine
Centra Health
Sleep Medicine
A good night's sleep is essential for good health. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation has reached epidemic proportions in America, and many do not get the sleep they need because of sleep disorders. Sleep disorders can lead to other health issues as well as problems with daily activities. Our sleep experts can partner with you to help you get a good night's sleep.
Common Symptoms of Sleep Disorders:
- Sleepiness or drowsiness during that day that interviews with daily activities
- Loud snoring
- Sleep Apnea
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
For more information on the sleep lab or any study, call the Sleep Disorders Center at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital at 434.200.4628.
Locations and Hours
The Sleep Disorders Center Virginia Baptist Hospital 3300 Rivermont Avenue Lynchburg, VA 24503 434.200.4628 |
The Sleep Disorders Center Southside Community Hospital 800 Oak Street Farmville, Virginia 23901 434.315.2407 |
Office Hours
Monday–Friday: 8:30 am–5:00 pm
Diagnostic Testing: Sunday–Friday 7:00 pm–7:30 am
Daytime Diagnostic Testing: Monday–Friday, as needed.
- Fax the Order Sheet, Health History Questionnaire, Office Notes, Demographics and insurance information to 434-200-4400. Referring Physician Order Sheet
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One of our staff will contact your patient to discuss the scheduled date.
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We will fax your office that appointment date once we have discussed that date with your patient.
- Fill out the Patient Health History Questionnaire—click the tab below to open, fill it out directly online, then save it to your computer.Health History Questionnaire
- Email saved file to sleepcenter@centrahealth.com or fax to: 434-200-4400.
- If you have any questions, please contact our office at 434.200.4628 .
When you sleep, your body's muscles relax more than in waking hours. In some, this relaxation interferes with breathing because the airway in the back of the throat becomes too narrow. Sleep then becomes a time of increased health risk.
A smaller than normal jaw, overbite, large tongue, enlarged tonsils or tissue that blocks the airway are contributors to sleep apnea. Alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizers taken at bedtime can reduce muscle tone and contribute to the collapse of the throat. Obesity, intrinsic hypertension, a short thick neck, are all contributing factors to sleep apnea.
Adults with sleep apnea may snore very loud (they can be heard rooms away), have a pattern of snoring interrupted by pauses, then gasps (the sleeper's breathing stops and restarts), have trouble concentrating, forgetfulness, depression, loss of interest in sex, headaches or nausea upon awakening, fatigue and frequent nighttime urination.
Sleep is controlled and influenced by many parts of the brain. The stages of sleep include drowsiness, light sleep, deep sleep and dream sleep. The stage of sleep a person is in can be determined by measuring the different activity of the brain and body.
Children with sleep problems may snore loudly, appear to have difficulty breathing during sleep, sleep restlessly, sweat heavily during sleep, have daytime hyperactivity (sleepy children become fussy and overactive), behavioral problems, be cranky, be difficult to awaken and complain of morning headaches.