| |
You've seen the TV ads for prescription medications and
mattresses promising “the best sleep of your life.” For too many of us, that's just not enough. Three out of four people have a clinical sleep disorder. And there are lots of them, including obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and sleep walking, to name just a few. Yet few have had the problem diagnosed.
If you've ever spent the night counting sheep, you know what a difference a good night's rest really makes. Sleep—or the lack thereof—influences every aspect of our lives: work, social and sexual relationships. Imagine what it would be like to be a member of the health-care team that helps determine the cause and helps find the solution for those sleepless nights … and get paid for it!
Poly what?
That's what polysomnography ("poly," meaning many, "somno," meaning sleep, and "graphy" meaning to write) is all about. Polysomnographic technologists are unique health care professionals who help evaluate all kinds of sleep disorders .
The field is fairly new, getting its start back in the early 1970s. There were only a handful of sleep disorders specialists back then. Today, there are nearly 8,000 registered polysomnographic technologists worldwide and 16 accredited sleep labs in North Carolina alone. It's such a new field, it doesn't even show up as an occupation on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' website! |
|
sleep labs in North Carolina alone. It's such a new field, it doesn't even show up as an occupation on the Bureau of Labor Statistics' website!
Catawba Valley Community College is one of only two community colleges in the state where you can earn an associate degree in polysomnography technology. And it's the only accredited program in North Carolina , which means the skills you learn meet standards set by a national professional organization.
Subduing the "silent killer"
A growing problem in our round-the-clock society, sleep deprivation has been called the “silent killer.” Studies show that 18 hours without sleep produces the same effect as legal intoxication. A recent study done by the National Sleep Foundation revealed that more than half of adult drivers say they have driven while drowsy. One out of five of those drivers say they have actually fallen asleep at the wheel! So diagnosing and treating a sleep disorder can help tackle a big public safety issue, too.
Polysomnography technicians use sophisticated equipment to monitor a long list of body functions during sleep. Some of those include airflow through the nose and mouth (and snoring sounds!), blood pressure, electrocardiographic activity, blood oxygen level, brain wave pattern, eye movement, respirations |
|
and arm and leg movements. It's
through these evaluations that a physician
can determine exactly what's going on during sleep.Once the physician has the whole picture, he or she can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
But CVCC's polysomnography instructor and registered polysomnographer Sarah Hoffman says the profession demands lots more than just the ability to plug patients into machinery.
“A technician pushes buttons,” she says. “But a technologist has the knowledge to observe, understand and interpret the evaluations being conducted. We interact with the patients by taking their sleep history, make sure they're comfortable and explain what we're doing to reassure them.
“We are part of the patient's health-care team,” Hoffman emphasizes, “helping them achieve a better quality of life. Diagnosing and treating a sleep disorder can prolong someone's life by 10 years. It's so rewarding when patients come back to tell you how great they feel now that they're finally getting quality sleep.”
Job prospects
Polysomnographers can choose from several different work environments. Some work in hospital sleep labs, while others choose doctors' offices or free standing sleep labs. Graduation from an accredited college and further credentials also enhances your chances of getting the best positions at the best pay rate.
|
|
What Sleep does:
- Releases healing chemicals in the body that have a restorative effect on all the organs.
- Increases health and creativity.
- Strengthens the human body and mind.
- Boosts energy and brainpower.
- Activates the immune system which fights illness and helps to keep the human body disease free.
- Slows down the aging process, and helps us to live longer and healthier lives.
- Increases physical health, as well as mental and emotional health.
- Improves our ability to positively deal with physical, mental and emotional tasks.CF
|
|
Inclement Weather 