How are you Sleeping?

HOW ARE YOU SLEEPING?

By MARIE WOOD

PHOTOS BY MICHELLE ISEBRAND PHOTOGRAPHY

"I HAD A BETTER NIGHT'S SLEEP HERE THAN AT HOME"

“It got to the point that I was tired all the time. I’d wake up in the morning and it felt like I didn’t even sleep,” Jeff Nickels, 54, of North Mankato says.

Jeff’s snoring rattled the windows. As a registered nurse, his wife Heather knew the signs of obstructive sleep apnea and was concerned for Jeff’s health. His dad also had sleep apnea and told Jeff that treatment changed his life as good sleep can.

So, in September 2022, Jeff scheduled a sleep study at the J. Scott Sanders Center for Sleep Medicine, also known as the Sanders Sleep Center. Sleep study data confirmed that Jeff had obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing stops and restarts many times while sleeping and can prevent the body from getting enough oxygen. Frequent loud snoring, breathing that starts and stops during sleep, gasping for air during sleep are signs.

While snoring brings people in because it can disrupt our bed partners’ sleep, we are concerned about choking episodes not snoring, explains Dr. Lisa Davidson, board certified neurologist and sleep medicine specialist at Mankato Clinic.

“Choking episodes cause oxygen to dip which puts the brain into fight-or-flight mode and floods the body with adrenaline. This can lead to arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, rise in blood pressure, elevation in blood sugar. This can happen a hundred times per night,” Dr. Davidson says. “We are worried about the medical dominoes.”

Left untreated, sleep apnea puts people at greater risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, heart attack and vehicle accidents.

To treat Jeff’s sleep apnea, Dr. Davidson prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The CPAP keeps the airways open so the body can receive optimal oxygen and quality sleep. The machine can even transmit data so the care team may monitor how well treatment is working.

“The energy is so much better. You wake up in the morning refreshed. The biggest thing for me is the energy that I’ve gotten,” Jeff says.

Sleep is key to our health and well-being. Good sleep helps improve our mood, promote heart health, regulate blood sugar, relieve stress, maintain a healthy weight and restore our muscles. It helps us think more clearly and solve problems.

Kari Grisim has Jeff Nickels' CPAP supplies ready for him at Sanders Sleep Center.

Sleep Studies

Every week, Sanders Sleep Center staff and Dr. Davidson hear patients say, “I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner” or “I had a better night’s sleep here than at home.”

Many people compare the experience to checking into a hotel. Bedrooms look like hotel rooms with Sleep Number Beds, TVs, bedside lamps and private bathrooms so you can follow your normal bedtime routine.

“You’re very comfortable. The staff is amazing. They’re always checking on you before you go to bed, making sure you have everything you need. You can bring your own pillow,” Jeff says. Patients arrive for the sleep study in the evening – 1-2 hours before bedtime. Jeff reported at 8:30 p.m. for his study. Staff will greet you and show you to your room where you can change into night clothes and make yourself at home.

Next, the sleep technologist will apply sensors with wires on the skin of your head and body with a mild adhesive. Sensors connect to a computer that records vital signs while you sleep. The technologist monitors vital signs, breathing and brain activity on large screens in a separate room.

“A sleep study gets at the root causes of sleep problems to best treat and manage the condition so you can feel more refreshed and productive,” Dr. Davidson says.

In the morning when you wake, the sleep technologist removes the sensors and wires and then your study will be reviewed by a sleep medicine specialist.

Kim Davis, sleep technician III, prepares a room for a patient.

Treatment

After getting his sensors removed in the morning, Jeff was able to receive his results, diagnosis and prescription in a bedside consult with Dr. Davidson. Next, Kari Grisim, office specialist at Sanders Sleep Center, showed him how to use, care for and clean his CPAP machine.

Patients may choose between three different masks: partial nasal mask, nasal plugs and a full-face mask with memory foam. With Kari’s help, Jeff has found the full-face mask works best for him.

“They’re very good about finding what’s comfortable for you,” Jeff says. Today’s CPAP models are quieter, smaller, more convenient and pack easily for travel. Travel models are also available.

Jeff’s advice to others beginning CPAP treatment: “Give it time. You need to give it a couple weeks to get used to it. Once you get used to it you don’t even know you’re wearing it.”

Heart Health

In December 2022, Jeff was diagnosed with heart failure which means the heart is not pumping enough blood through the body. Jeff is healthy, eats well and works out so heart failure came as quite a shock.

As a pharmaceutical representative, Jeff sells the number one prescribed drug by cardiologists for heart failure. In a twist of irony, Jeff is taking the medication he sells. He also does cardiac rehab to improve his heart health.

Dr. Lisa Davidson prescribed a second sleep study this spring to make sure his CPAP pressure numbers are spot on. The sleep study indicated that Jeff should switch to a BiPAP Auto SV machine. A BiPap machine provides two levels of air pressure – one for inhaling and one for exhaling. A CPAP machine provides the same air pressure whether you are breathing in or out. Jeff is scheduling a third sleep study to dial in the pressure settings and numbers for his new machine.

Jeff tackles life with a sense of humor and a positive attitude. When he puts his mask on before bed, he jokes that he looks like a fighter pilot. That’s just fine with him and his wife.

“Heather knows it’s better for my health. She’s happier because she knows I’m doing what’s right for my heart and sleep apnea is a huge contributor to heart issues,” Jeff says.

SLEEP STUDY MYTHS & TRUTHS

Are you hesitant to get a sleep study? Let’s bust some myths and get to the truth.

Myth: People will be watching me sleep.

Truth: When you turn out the lights to sleep, rest assured the sleep technologist is not watching you sleep. The technologist monitors brain waves, eye movements, breathing patterns, vital signs and sleep stages on large computer screens in a separate room.

There is a video camera in your room, but that’s mostly for safety. If you need anything at all or get up to use the bathroom, you can give a wave and let your sleep technologist know.

Myth: I won’t be able to sleep hooked up with wires to a monitor.

Truth: Sleep aids are an option if you are concerned about falling asleep. In addition, sensor wires are long enough to allow you to move around in your sleep. Wires aren’t so long that you will get tangled either.

Myth: I don’t want to sleep in a clinical setting.

Truth: Sanders Sleep Center rooms look like hotel rooms with Sleep Number Beds to accommodate all patients. After getting comfortable, you can watch the news or read before bed just like you do at home. Even the lobby feels like a hotel lobby complete with a coffee maker for your morning coffee. To ease any anxiety, Sleep Center staff welcome patients to stop by for a tour during the day.

SLEEP CENTER

J. SCOTT SANDERS CENTER FOR SLEEP MEDICINE

120 N Augusta Court, Mankato | 507-389-8520

The J. Scott Sanders Center for Sleep Medicine offers sleep studies and carries a full line of CPAP and BiPAP machines and supplies. You do not need to be a Mankato Clinic patient to purchase supplies. Due to federal regulations, Sanders Sleep Center cannot sell equipment or supplies to individuals covered by Medicare/Medicaid.

To learn more, visit www.mankatoclinic.com/specialties/j-scottsanders-center-for-sleep-medicine