Sleep Center opens at Daly Hospital
By Michael Howell
Trouble sleeping?
If so, you are not alone, according to Dr. Rolf Holle, Medical Director at the newly opened Marcus Daly Sleep Center. He said that one in four people, both men and women, over the age of fifty suffer from some sort of sleep disorder such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, or shift work disorder.
Dr. Holle said that the primary sleep disorder was definitely sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious and potentially life-threatening sleep disorder. Symptoms include loud or chronic snoring, frequent pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping, snorting, or choking during sleep, tiredness during the day, no matter how much time spent in bed.
“Basically it is repeated mini-choking spells that cause the symptoms and the side effects of sleep apnea,” said Holle.
Holle said that only one in ten people who suffer from the disorder are aware of it.
“But one in four of their spouses are aware of it,” said Holle. He said that treatment of the disorder is aided by a spouse’s support and encouragement in the process.
Sleep apnea can lead to deep sleep deprivation, according to Holle. Sleep is very important for quality of life and for the body’s recuperative powers. Sleep deprivation has been linked to increased inflammation in the body, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Decreased quality and quantity of sleep has also been shown to cause weight gain and sleep deprivation affects our immune system. During sleep our bodies repair, recharge, and do maintenance necessary to keep out intruders such as viruses and bacteria.
Sleep apnea and deep sleep privation can lead to memory problems and even depression. It also affects aging by decreasing growth hormone activity and can cut years off a person’s life.
Holle said that lack of deep sleep can have catastrophic effects in part because it leads to the high release of adrenalin into a person’s system, from 400 to 500 percent higher. As a result, people who suffer from the sleeping disorder are three times more likely to have a heart attack and four times more likely to have a stroke. It creates stress and high blood pressure and makes controlling a person’s blood pressure more difficult.
Doctor Holle has 29 years of experience in sleep medicine and treats all kinds of sleep disorders other than sleep apnea. He also treats insomnia, for instance. He said people suffering from insomnia need to check their habits. He said plain stress and depression can add to a person’s problem sleeping. So can alcohol and caffeine. Oddly enough, stuffy noses are also associated with insomnia. Holle said that 80 percent of patients suffering from insomnia also have stuffy noses. He said the second biggest correlation is with anxiety. Thirty percent of those suffering from insomnia are also suffering from anxiety.
According to Holle, sleep disorders are complex and all aspects of the problem need to be treated. He said that a person successfully treated can boost their life span from 6 to 11 years. He said that heart patients can especially benefit from sleep therapy.
Although medications may sometimes be used for insomnia, Holle said that most people can be helped with other techniques and by changing some of their habits, thereby avoiding the potential side effects of medication.
Holle said that developing sleep rituals can certainly help. He called it a step-by-step shutdown. Basically it would include turning off all electronics, going to bed at a regular time, doing something pleasant right before bed, preferably something distracting from your daily affairs, such as reading a good piece of fiction.
But if you don’t want to or can’t tackle your sleeping disorder on your own, you now have the option of visiting the Marcus Daly Sleep Center and getting professional help aided by the best state-of-the-art equipment.
“They spared no expense in getting this place up and running and equipped to offer the most advanced services,” he said of the new facility located at 1200 Westwood Drive, on the southwest corner of the hospital campus adjacent to the Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center and Marcus Daly Hospice.
During a person’s initial visit at the sleep center a registered sleep specialist collects some vital information, which includes blood pressure, height, weight and general physical characteristics. All these are used to determine the patient’s general health. The patient is then interviewed about his or her sleep habits. That sleep history is used to evaluate symptoms such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, daytime sleepiness or fatigue, breathing problems during sleep, restless legs at night and other various troublesome behaviors. This is followed by a sleep study known as a Polysomnogram (PSG). The Polysomnogram is performed in order to determine what stages of sleep an individual achieves and whether any sleep-related abnormalities are present. A PSG test measures the body’s functions while asleep. Tests vary depending on the individual case and some measurements taken may include: Brain Waves (Electro-Encephalogram, EEG)
Heart Waves (Electro-Cardiogram, EKG)
Eye Movements (Electro-Oculargram, EOG)
Limb Movements (Electo-Myogram, EMG)
Breathing (nasal/oral)
Bands around the torso to measure chest, abdomen movements during breathing, Sensors on the legs to measure leg movements, Blood Oxygen (Pulse Oximetry: SpO2). This sleep study is available day and night for the diagnosis of sleep disorders and each study is interpreted by Dr. Holle.
At the newly designed sleep center patients enjoy a finely decorated, well furnished and comfortable sleeping room where they can relax and flip through hundreds of channels on the 50-inch flat-screen TV, use the wireless internet, and admire the local landscape paintings by Steve Wilson, a well-known Bitterroot Valley artist. Each sleep suite is equipped with the most state-of-the-art equipment to monitor for snoring, brain activity and airflow and has fully adjustable queen size beds.
Based on a person’s physician’s order, prior to and/or following the sleep study, arrangements may be made for a personal consultation with Dr. Holle. Holle then integrates the person’s sleep history with the findings from the sleep study to determine a diagnosis and make the appropriate treatment recommendations.
Overnight sleep testing is a procedure covered by most insurance plans, as well as Medicare, according to the hospital’s web site..
“We felt it was important to add a sleep center to our current services to serve individuals facing serious health risks and loss of quality of life if their sleep problems are not identified and properly treated,” said John Bartos, CEO of MDMH. He added, “We are also pleased to be able to have the expertise of Dr. Holle.”
Local Designated Driver program taking off
The Ravalli County Tavern Association Designated Driver Program was established in 1992. It was the first “DD” promotional program in the state. Although it was a completely new idea, the program received little recognition at first. The lack of attention to the issue inspired the members to re-examine how they were perceiving the program. They discovered two crucial factors that were missing: The first problem was that the program lacked incentives and the second was that there was no advertising to arouse both the public and the participants’ awareness.
The RCTA approached Zip Beverage and Earl’s Distributing (now Summit Beverage) for donations to help jump-start the program. Each company has given $1,000. These donations, combined with RCTA membership dues, added up to exactly what was needed to get the program up and running.
The incentive program was designed for Designated Drivers themselves. RCTA gives Designated Driver cards to all taverns that are members of the association. The tavern then gives a card to each “DD” to fill out and enter into the drawing. RCTA draws two names each month. The winners receive $50.00. At the end of the year, all cards are combined and entered into another drawing for a chance to win $1,000. The only requirement for all Designated Drivers is that they are sober and take at least one person home.
Early on in the program, Kathy Anderson of Clear Channel Radio raised both public and participant awareness. Recently Tara Sheridan of The Ranch Radio has stepped in as the new advocate and has done a great job in promoting the program. The Ranch Radio attracts many sports fans with their game day coverage and is always sure to mention the participating tavern in hopes the program will be utilized during these eventful hours. The holidays bring even more of a concentrated effort to get designated drivers out and keeping people safe.
Coke, Pepsi, and Southern Odom Spirits West have also joined Zip and Summit to keep the program going. They have all contributed money donations, signs for advertising the program, or both.
Although we still have a long way to go, we are managing to keep impaired drivers off the road. In 2010, we recorded 657 Designated Drivers and 1,861 Riders, from twenty different establishments. Since 1992, many small adjustments have been made to better the program, but one thing has certainly stayed the same. Every month, at the RCTA meeting, we draw two $50 winners and at the end of the year we continue making somebody’s voluntary efforts pay off by rewarding them with the $1,000 grand prize. The 2010 winner was Tom LoRock, a designated driver from the Bum Steer in Florence.
Stevensville Class of ’71 reunion
The Stevensville High School Class of 1971 will hold is 40th class reunion August 5 and 6. Contact Debbie Severson at 406-777-3576 or email HYPERLINK “mailto:dseveson@rmbank.com” dseverson@rmbank.com for more information.
Job Corps employee receives national award
Jim “Doc” Kahl, Warehouse Manager at Trapper Creek Job Corps Center (TCJCC), has received the 2011 National Director Honor Award for “Outstanding Teamwork” which recognizes exemplary service and achievements of the mission of the Forest Service Job Corps Program. The award was presented last month in Denver by Job Corps National Director Larry Dawson.
Kahl began his career at Trapper Creek in 1973 as the Center’s nurse – quickly earning him the nickname “Doc”. He was trained and served as a medic in the military. He held numerous positions during his 38 years, including most recently, managing the Center’s Warehouse, which supplies items for nine different vocational trades, 224 students, and 60 full-time staff members. Kahl also served as Trapper Creek’s fire dispatcher, responsible for training and supplying all of the fire and camp crews.
“Jim Kahl’s partnership with the Forest Service fire organization has accounted for significant budgetary savings and his emphasis on physical training preparedness has aided in the readiness of fire crews,” said Job Corps National Director Larry Dawson. “Staff and students alike greatly appreciate his efforts during foul weather when he is the Center’s ‘early bird’ who operates the plow to remove snow from the roads and parking lots, making the area safer for everyone.”
Kahl was one of only 12 employees to receive a National Director Honor Award in 2011. There are 28 Forest Service Job Corps Centers across the nation with more than 1,700 employees.
TCJCC’s 224 students (56 of which are female) range in age from 16 to 24. They study for their high school diplomas or GED, and receive vocational training in one of the following trades: Office Administration, Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Electrical, Facilities Maintenance, Masonry, Natural Resources, Painting and Welding.
Located south of Darby on the West Fork, TCJCC originated as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp during the 1930s. During President Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration, many former CCC sites became Job Corps Centers. The Trapper Creek Center opened in 1966 and was male-only until becoming co-educational in 1980.
Constitution Party of Montana elects state officers
The Constitution Party of Montana recently held its state convention at the Gran Tree Best Western in Bozeman, Montana. In addition to other party business, new officers were elected. The new chairman, Lisa Wamsley of Helena, has the energy, organizational skills and vision that will enhance the work of the party to restore constitutional principles and individual freedom. Lisa is a native of Sidney, Montana.
Other officers elected during the convention were Vice Chairman Kurtis Oliverson (Kalispell), Secretary Tom Baird (Helena), Treasurer George Karpati (Hamilton), Public Relations Nancy Jore (Ronan), and Parliamentarian Mark Wamsley (Helena).
The Constitution Party of Montana stands without apology in its commitment to the principles of our Founding Fathers as expressed in the Declaration of Independence and the original understanding and intent of the Constitution. The CPOM platform recognizes our Creator God as the giver of life and liberty. The platform calls for recognition of the right to life of every human person from conception, no restrictions on gun ownership for law abiding citizens, strong protection of individual property rights, and an end to the welfare state, including unconstitutional subsidies for corporations and foreign countries.
For further information on the CPOM and the entire platform visit www.cpmontana.org/ or contact Chairman Lisa Wamsley at 406-465-8649 or PR Nancy Jore at 406-644-2542.
Locals named to University of Great Falls Honor Roll
Michael Frost and Tessa Moore of Stevensville, were named to the spring semester Dean’s List at the University of Great Falls. The Dean’s List recognizes students who have received a 3.5 or higher grade point average.
Locals graduate from OSU
Oregon State University held its 142nd annual commencement on Saturday, June 11, with the largest graduating class in its history. More than 4,600 students were in the class of 2011.
4,619 students received 4,815 degrees, according to OSU registrar Kent Kuo. OSU graduates are from every county in Oregon, and from almost every state in the country, as well as from 48 different nations.
Graduate degrees awarded include 735 masters, 172 Ph.D.s, and 141 professional degrees (92 doctors of pharmacy, 49 doctors of veterinary medicine).
More degrees are going to women (2,443) than men (2,372) and the average age of the class is 25. The oldest graduate is 63, the youngest, 19.
Local students graduating from OSU in 2011 include:
Corvallis: Cassandra K. Weber, Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Applied Visual Arts.
Stevensville: Lena D. Severson, Bachelor of Science, General Science.
2011 Rodeo Royalty Crowned
The 2011 Miss Ravalli County Rodeo Pageant was held Saturday May 21 at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds. A combined total of five contestants in both Queen and Princess categories competed in a full day of events, demonstrating their public speaking, modeling, and horsemanship skills. The judges were Tom Thorpe, Cindi Jacobson, and Jane Ellis.
Claiming the 2011 Miss Ravalli County Rodeo title was Amber Powell of Stevensville. On her way to the crown, Amber swept all three category awards including Horsemanship, Speech, and Style Show. She is the daughter of Joe and Mickey Powell, and will be a junior at Hamilton High School.
First runner up and Attendant was Tayne Tingle of Hamilton.
Claiming the title of 2011 Ravalli County Rodeo Princess was Alyssa Johnson of Corvallis. On her way to the title, she won the Horsemanship category. Alyssa is the daughter of Bryan and Jamie Johnson.
First runner up and Attendant was Paige Luhman of Corvallis, who won the Speech and Style Show awards. Second runner up and Attendant was Trystan Capp of Stevensville.
State flooding mobilizes charity group
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is providing information to people who are asking about how to donate help to flood victims in the state. Several charitable organizations have responded to the call for assistance from Montana communities impacted by the flood. Because DPHHS is responsible for mass care and health support during disasters, the department assists coordinating these groups that provide needed emergency help. DPHHS has set up a website containing links to some of these charitable organizations to provide information for giving and volunteering. “Most of the organizations, including the American Red Cross, are asking that people donate cash,” said DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell. “People can donate goods or services, but in any disaster the most effective and efficient donation is cash. Donated funds allow organizations to purchase exactly what they need in an emergency. People are also encouraged to donate to their local food bank.” Several organizations listed on the website will honor requests that donations remain in the state for current disasters. The website features numerous health and donation-related information related to the flooding. The web page also includes information such as general guidance for homeowners, well owners and other environmental health concerns. Included links cover guidance for preparing for floods, cleanup concerns, mold issues, food safety, communicable disease and immunization guidance, as well as several state and federal related sites for flood information. To access the website go to www.dphhs.mt.gov . From there you can click the Flood Cleanup, Health and Safety link.