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Colton Pearson, Supervisor
Sleep Medicine Center
Opens at
Okanogan Douglas Hospital
Newly refurbished rooms decorated with quiet, soothing colors and comfortable furniture welcome patients in need of a diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders. Colton Pearson, Director of the Sleep Medicine Center, welcomed the first patient on Tuesday, February 15th.
According to the American Medical Association, 33% of the general population suffers from some type of sleep disorder. Insomnia being the most prevalent followed by sleep apnea. Symptoms that may indicate a sleep disorder might be daytime fatigue and generally feeling tired all the time; morning headaches; restless sleep at night; bed covers are all over when you awake; snoring that wakes you or others in your household; or waking up gasping for breath. If you can identify with any, some or all of the symptoms, you may have a treatable sleeping disorder.
Colton shared that “Sleep provides stress release — relaxation —– and is much like defragging a computer. An average person requires 7 1/2 hours of sleep per night. Health problems such as heart disease and high blood pressure are often the result of sleep disorders.”
Colton will score the sleep disorder test and a board certified physician, Dr. Larry Smith, will provide a treatment plan. “Many times, the treatment for the sleep disorder can be corrected without surgery or by using the proper equipment,” Colton said.
Prior to the Sleep Medicine Center opening, patients needing a sleep study were sent to Spokane, Seattle or Wenatchee. This service will eliminate the need for people to travel out of the area. Most sleep studies are covered by insurance.
For more information, call Colton at 509-689-2517 or visit www.odhsleepmedicinecenter.com
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