Clay Foundation Funds Upgrade of Flora Clinic Sleep Study Areas

The Clay County Endowment Foundation has funded a complete remodel/upgrade of the sleep study areas at the Clay County Hospital's Flora Clinic, including new furniture, to help make the sleep study patients more comfortable. Proponents say this is key in effectively diagnosing sleep disorders.

Surveys suggest 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep disorders, and 60% of adults report having sleep problems a few nights a week or more. Most of these problems go undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea, is a serious sleep disorder whereby a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.

If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems, including:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD
• Headaches

In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, and academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

The new rooms and décor are designed to replicate a bedroom, and to try to make patients as comfortable as possible without feeling like they are in a clinical environment.

The Endowment Foundation provides funds for purchases, capital expenses and other support for the Hospital and Clinics. In addition they offer scholarships for continuing education to Clay County Hospital employees, and sponsor introductory events between Providers, staff and the public.

For more information on upcoming events, to make a donation or to get information regarding the donation of property, contact Emily Milner at 618-844-3162 or email her at Emily.milner@claycountyhospital.org. Also, like the foundation on Facebook.