Depts. and Specializations
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- Lenoir Memorial Sleep Center
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Lenoir Memorial Sleep Center
Since 1998, Lenoir Memorial Hospital and Sleep Services of America, a sleep service provider with over 20 years experience in the field of sleep medicine, and the 2005 Recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Sleep Service Provider Industry Innovation and Advancement Award, began providing sleep studies to the community served by Lenoir Memorial Hospital.
The lab has expanded over these years from a two-bed lab to a four-bed lab with plans to add even more beds in the near future. Under the management and direction of the Cardiopulmonary Department of Lenoir Memorial Hospital, the Sleep Lab offers an assortment of test for sleep disorders. Under the medical direction of Dr. Rob Gallaher, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care and special training in sleep medicine, a team of Certified Sleep Technologist, perform over 50 studies a month, on patients from all over Eastern North Carolina.
Sleep is a basic human need, as important for good health as diet and exercise. When we sleep, our bodies rest but our brains are active. Sleep lays the groundwork for a productive day ahead. Over the last few years more and more attention has been given to sleep disorders. Even in the more recent news with the tragic death of pro football star Reggie White, we are beginning to see just how many people are affected with sleep disorders. The National Sleep Foundation in 2004 estimated that a lack of sleep costs American employers more than $18 billion annually in lost productivity. At least 100,000 police reported crashes and 1,500 deaths a year are attributed to drowsy driving. Sleep deprivation has also been linked to health problems such as diabetes, congested heart failure, and high blood pressure.
The most common sleep disorder is sleep apnea. Listen to how a sleep study patient described her sleep apnea. “The silence, I’m told, is way worse than the snoring. In the middle of the night, you go quiet for a while. Your chest heaves. Nothing happens. Your body tries again. Still nothing happens. Then, if you’re lucky, your brain kicks in and sends out the alarm: without oxygen, it will starve. So your reflexes get your body to rouse; there’s a snuffling, wheezing and then a big intake of breath. And then back to normal breathing – or more snoring – until the cycle starts again. And all the while, you’re fast asleep, blissfully unaware that anything is going on. “That is called sleep apnea. It happens when your nasal passages or throat gets blocked during sleep and your breathing is badly interrupted. It’s often, but not always, correlated with carrying too much weight, and it occurs more in men than women. It can occur in children of all ages, and has been linked to children with ADD. Unfortunately, most who have it, have no idea they do.
If you suffer from daytime drowsiness, nodding off in the afternoon, been told you have a snoring problem, or wake up restless and tired, you should talk to your physician. You may need to be a sleep disorder patient and not aware of it. There is help available for sleep disorders. Don’t wait till it’s to late for you to get help. See your doctor today to see if you are a candidate for a sleep study.
Hospital welcomes new physician
Michael Diamond, M.D., has joined the staff at Kinston Community Health Center. Diamond graduated from Wake Forest University with an undergraduate degree in Communications. He obtained his medical degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. He has a special interest in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine. Diamond completed his residency at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. He is single and he enjoys volunteering for community efforts such as sports physicals, health fairs, and legislation advocacy.
LEARN MORESmith named PSEA of the Year
At the February Lenoir Memorial Board of Directors meeting, Chairman Ray Collier named Eveyln Smith, RN, Medical Oncology President's Service Excellence Award honoree for 2012. An excerpt from Smith's nomination read, "Evelyn Smith provides compassionate and quality care to the patients she servs on Medical/Oncolory on a daily basis. She exhibits outstanding interpersonal skills, which complement her ability to communicate in a clear, concise and accurate manner. when interacting with patients and staff. She has the ability to work very effectively and efficiently with cross funcational teams. She holds herself accountable high ethical standards and legal requirements setting an example to other staff." Congratulations Evelyln Smith!
LEARN MORENew Care Giver Support Group
Meetings will be held the first Monday of each month beginning April 8 at 2 p.m. in the Neuse Room. This group is free of charge and intended to offer support to those who are caring for adults who are ill and/or elderly. Topics for meetings will be designed to address the emotional, physical, and spiritual health of the caregiver. Please contact Lisa James Coffman, MSW, at 252-527-3786 at Continuum Home Care & Hospice of Kinston for more details.
LEARN MOREMcDaniel Sleep Center opens
The McDaniel Sleep Center, located near the Minges Wellness Center, was opened July 2 after this unused area of the facility was revamped. The center was named for the McDaniel family whose ancestors donated a home to be used as the first hospital in Lenoir County. The McDaniel’s granddaughter, Laura McDaniel Walker of Long Beach, Calif., made a generous donation and named the center in memory of the original donors, he said. “I’m grateful that (the family) thought of the idea to name the whole center,” Griffith said. The development of the new sleep center was partially funded by $180,000 in donations, said Dirk Griffith, director of the LMH Foundation Board. Each room has its own personality and exhibits a plaque designating a donor’s name. They look like typical bedrooms, but with state-of-the-art medical equipment in them. The rooms even feature a flat-screen television and are individually temperature-controlled. “The new suites have nice large bathrooms for each room,” Dail said.
LEARN MORE2013 Colorectal Cancer Screening Dates
This free clinic is for men & women age 40 and up who have never been screened for or had colorectal cancer. The clinic will be led by members of the WellAware team and the Lenoir Memorial Gastro staff. Screening sponsored by the Lenoir Memorial Foundation. Call 252-522-7014 to complete required registration.
LEARN MOREGetting ready for flip-flops?
Are flip-flops really a good idea for people with diabetes? What about those exposed toes? Join Sandra as she shares information about routine foot care for individuals living with diabetes. Coe learn about the importance of self-exams, foot care and the potential complications uncontrolled diabetes can have on your feet.
LEARN MOREObesity and Diabetes
According to the Center for Disease Control, we are eating ourselves into a diabetes epidemic. Dr. Mitra shares how weight is tied to the functions of the pancreas and hormones. Free to the public - no registration required. Groups welcome!
LEARN MOREObesity and Heart Disease
Your body is made up of water, fat, protein, carbohydrate and various vitamins and minerals. If you have too much fat — especially around your waist — you’re at higher risk for health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. In this presentation, Dr. Mitra makes the connection with heart disease and high blood pressure. Free to the public - no registration required. Groups welcome!
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Obesity and Sleep Disorders
Not only does obesity contribute to sleep problems such as sleep apnea, but sleep problems can also contribute to obesity. Building up a sleep debt over a matter of days can impair metabolism and disrupt hormone levels. Dr. Mitra will discuss the relationship of sleep and weight. Open to the public – no registration required. Groups welcome!
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