The Pondera Medical Center (PMC) is accepting new patients for their sleep study program.
   The hospital has recently signed a contract with Mays and Associates to provide sleep study analysis and support for PMC. 
   This new agreement will help the PMC provide better patient service than before, by decreasing the time between diagnosis and treatment - many times patients will be able to receive needed treatment and equipment within one week of diagnosis. 
   Dr. Jay Taylor will be taking over the role of Medical Director for this program.
   The previous contract was with Rocky Mountain Sleep Center, and that contract has ended.   
   Renne Solis, Respiratory Manager tells the I-O, “We are very excited about our new contract, by conducting the sleep studies ourselves (in Conrad), we will be able to schedule more patients, decrease waiting times for appointments and get our results faster.”
   She went on to add, “Our new motto is, PMC won’t rest until you do!” 
   This new contract will not in any way change patient treatment that is currently in place.  The PMC will be offering free, At Home Sleep Apnea Screening Tools for anyone interested in finding out more about sleep problems. 
   A quick screening can be used by anyone:
   The STOP test consists of four questions:
S:    Do you snore loudly?
T:    Do you often feel tired, fatigued or sleepy during the daytime?
O:    Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
P:    Do you have — or are you being treated for — high blood pressure?
   If a person answers “yes” to two or more of these questions, then he or she is ranked as being at high risk for Sleep Apnea.
   Anyone interested in more information may call Salois at 271-3211.
Effects of sleep apnea on health
   Sleep apnea has serious health consequences and can even be life-threatening. The main effects of sleep apnea are sleep deprivation and oxygen deprivation.
Sleep deprivation
   Sleep deprivation hurts the person with sleep apnea and the bed partner. Frequent waking, whether remembered or not, causes fitful sleep and prohibits therapeutic rest.
   A bed partner may lose an hour or more of sleep each night from sleeping next to a person with sleep apnea. Along with the apnea episodes, side effects like excessive sweating and a frequent need to urinate disrupt sleep.
   Often, a person with sleep apnea will wake up feeling like they have not slept or have difficulty staying awake during the day. Some trickle-down effects of sleep deprivation include a compromised immune system, poor mental and emotional health, and irritability.
Oxygen deprivation
   When you stop breathing, your brain does not get enough oxygen. Serious problems can result from the oxygen deprivation of sleep apnea, including heart disease, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, and learning/memory problems.
Depression and sleep apnea
   Approximately one in five people who suffer from depression also suffer from sleep apnea, and people with sleep apnea are five times more likely to become depressed.
   Existing depression may also be worsened by sleep apnea. While it is not clear whether the apnea causes the depression or vice-versa, studies show that by treating sleep apnea symptoms, depression may be alleviated in some people.

   Kqyn Kuka, a warden in the Conrad Fish & Wildlife division was selected for a special achievement award.
   Kuka initiated a mule-deer poaching investigation in cooperation with the Blackfoot Reservation law enforcement that led to a conviction for all charged.
   She is one of 12 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks employees that have been recognized for recent achievements by agency director Joe Maurier.
   He commented, “FWP has some of the most talented and dedicated employees in state government.”
   Maurier will deliver the awards to each employee at the FWP commission meeting on Oct. 8 in Helena.