The Ozarks Medical Center Sleep Lab, located at 1004 Kentucky Ave., is a state-of-the-art laboratory equipped to help diagnose sleeping disorders, such as sleep apnea, momentary cessation of breathing while sleeping; insomnia; and narcolepsy, the inability to stay awake.

The staff at the OMC Sleep Lab is trained to help identify the source of your sleep problems, and then work with your personal physician to provide necessary treatment. The staff is composed of health care professionals who are licensed respiratory therapists and/or registered in polysomnography (sleep studies). Tests are interpreted by a pulmonologist with specialized training in sleep disorders.

A sleep study, called a polysomnogram, is a test that documents respiratory, neurologic and physical abnormalities by measuring body functions while you sleep. The test is used to test a person's sleep patterns, as well as determine whether a person may be suffering from one of the most common sleep disorders - sleep apnea. One of the most notable signs a person might have sleep apnea is excessive snoring.

During the test, monitoring electrodes will be attached to your scalp, chin, area around your eyes and legs to monitor your brain waves, eye muscle movements and leg movements. Electrodes attached to your chest will monitor your heart rate, and your respirations will be measured by an elastic band around your chest and abdomen. A small sensor will be placed under your nose to monitor the airflow at your nose and mouth. Oxygen in the blood is monitored with a small sensor that is attached to your finger.

Our sleep lab physician will review the results and forward a report to your personal physician about two weeks after the test is performed. Your physician will notify you about your results and recommend a course of treatment you should follow.

Sleep studies can only be performed with a physician's order. If you feel you may be suffering from a sleep disorder, please contact your personal physician. For more information about the operations of the OMC Sleep Lab, call 417-256-9111, ext. 6213.

Take the following quiz to determine whether you
may be suffering from a sleep disorder

Answer yes or no to each question
__ Have you been told that you often snore loudly?
__ Have you been told there are times when you stop breathing momentarily while you sleep?
__ Do you fall sleep while watching T.V, reading or talking?
__ Do you fight to stay awake while driving a vehicle?
__ Is there a history of sleepiness in your family?
__ Does the person who sleeps with you complain about your kicking and excessive movements?
__ Are you sleepy during the day even after a full night's sleep?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may have a sleeping disorder and should talk to your physician.

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