Quality ZZZs

Sleep Study Leads Woman to New-Found Energy, Vitality

Although she felt tired all the time, Lorraine Diakantonis didn’t realize she wasn’t sleeping well. After a trip to her doctor’s office and a full battery of diagnostic tests that came up negative, Diakantonis’ physician recommended a clinical assessment – also known as a sleep study - at the Martin Health Sleep Disorders Center. Despite some initial reluctance, Diakantonis was pleasantly surprised, both by the experience itself – and the outcome.

During the sleep study, test results indicated Diakantonis might have sleep apnea, a breathing disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. The technician woke her in the middle of the night to try a therapeutic CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask.

What She’d Been Missing

Her next three hours of sleep were the best she had in a long time. When she arrived at work that morning, she felt bright and alert.

“I could breathe better and I felt like an entirely new person,” Diakantonis says.

She discovered another benefit from her experience – weight loss. Without even trying, Diakantonis lost weight – simply due to the new-found energy she acquired from getting a good night’s sleep. “This has changed the whole quality of my life,” she says.

Could You Have a Sleep Disorder?

Sleep is essential to the renewal of our physical and mental health each day. Yet sleep issues have become prevalent – an estimated 70 million Americans have an underlying health disorder that is affecting their sleep. The prevalence of sleep disorders also appears to increase with age.

Sweet Slumber Awaits

The Martin Health Sleep Disorders Center, located in Palm City, has been recently renovated to make the bedroom-like settings more contemporary and comfortable. The private sleep bays offer a full-size bed, Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs with satellite service. A physician referral is required for treatment; services are covered by Medicare and most insurance policies.