The Sleep Lab at Riverview Regional Medical Center is Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals.

For more information please call 256-543-5838.                

K.J. Shah, M.D.
Dr. Shah is a graduate of G.S. Medical Bombay University of India. He completed his Internal Medicine residency then his pulmonary fellowship at Jewish Hospital and Medical Center of Brooklyn.

He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine and Sleep Medicine.

He has served as President of the Medical Staff at Riverview Regional Medical Center and currently he is the Medical Director of Respiratory Therapy and the Medical Director of Sleep Medicine at Riverview.

Dr. Shah's office is located at 1401 Rainbow Drive. The office number is (256) 547-4931. Hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

The Sleep Lab at Riverview - Where a Good Night's Sleep Is More Than Just a Dream

A Sleeping Problem Creates a Living Problem
The human body is an amazing creation. But it needs certain things to keep it going. Like food. And water. And, yes, sleep. Getting a proper amount of sleep is essential to living a normal, healthy life.

Sometimes, something happens to disrupt the normal cycle of sleep. Stress or anxiety may cause you to have an occasional sleepless night.

But when those nights become the norm and not the exception, it could indicate that you have a sleep disorder. Nearly 20 million Americans are estimated to have sleep apnea.

Interestingly enough, sleep disorders are not limited to things like insomnia, or the inability to get sleep. There are other types of sleep disorders that a person may have difficulty recognizing. With sleep apnea, for example, people believe they are getting plenty of sleep. While they may sleep through the night, it is a very light sleep. With no deep, restful sleep, they feel tired and worn out during the day.

Two Common Sleep Disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia are two of the most common sleep disorders.

Insomnia may be triggered by many things, including depression, stress, anxiety or eating habits. With insomnia, it is common to stay awake for most of the night. There may be an occasional “catnap,” but little if any good, deep sleep. Insomnia often causes a person to be grouchy or hostile, depressed and disinterested.

bstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when a person stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs.

• How Do I Know If I Have Sleep Apnea?
• Do you frequently feel very tired or sleepy during the day?
• Do you often have trouble concentrating?
• Does your bed partner say that you snore, choke or gasp for air during sleep?
• Do you wake up frequently during the night?

Untreated sleep apnea can increase the chance of having high blood pressure and even a heart attack or stroke. Untreated sleep apnea can also increase the risk of diabetes and the risk for work-related accidents and driving accidents.

Anyone can have obstructive sleep apnea, even though it is more common in men. Adults who are most likely to have sleep apnea:

• Snore loudly
• Are overweight
• Have high blood pressure
• Have a decreased size of the airways in their nose, throat or mouth. This can be caused by the shape of these structures or by medical conditions causing congestion in these areas, such as hay fever or other allergies.
• Have a family history of sleep apnea

Should I seek medical attention? Take a sleep quiz to find out.

Other common types of Sleep Disorders:

• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Sleep Walking
• Sleep Talking
• Narcolepsy
• REM Behavior Disorder, which is the act of carrying out one's dreams

The Sleep Lab at Riverview May Be Able To Help

The Sleep Lab at Riverview Regional Medical Center is Accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and The Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals.

For more information please call 256-543-5838.