COMMUNITY CALENDAR

DECember 2015

Why Arent You Getting a Good Nights Sleep?

Our Sleep Center Can Help You Figure It Out.

In addition to sleep apnea, sleep studies

can help diagnose sleep-related seizure
disorders, movement disorders, such
as periodic limb movement disorder,
also called restless leg syndrome, and
disorders that cause extreme daytime
tiredness, such as narcolepsy.

t 60, this remained constant as it

had most of his adult life a good
nights sleep was not a part of his
day. He had problems concentrating, was
sleepy during the day, and because lack
of sleep contributes to weight gain, he
had been steadily gaining weight over the
years and had recently been diagnosed
with diabetes after years of suffering with
hypertension. Poor sleep is a risk factor
for both hypertension and diabetes. After
obtaining a physicians referral, he checked
in to Saint Peters University Hospital to
spend the night, willingly too, so that a
sleep technologist could observe and
record specific ways his body functioned
while at rest. That was two months ago.
Today, following a sleep study at the
Center for Sleep and Breathing Disorders,
evaluation and consultation with a Saint
Peters sleep specialist, and a diagnosis
of obstructive sleep apnea a common
sleep and breathing disorder he is
enjoying restful sleep with the help of a
machine fitted and calibrated to help him
sleep through the night. This therapy makes
it possible for him to sleep without awakening.
Patients who suffer from obstructive sleep
apnea get no rest because their throat
muscles relax and block their airway off and
on during sleep, causing them to repeatedly
stop and resume breathing.
Like hundreds of others in search of answers
to their sleep problems, the patient spent the
night at Saint Peters. To meet the demand of
services for adults and children, the Center
was recently renovated and began operating
seven days a week. Renovation to the Center
includes new rugs and mattresses and
furniture that includes colorful recliners that
match newly painted rooms. The changes
were not all cosmetic.
A new computer software system SomnoStar z4 sleep system manufactured by
CareFusion is the latest innovation introduced at the Center; it is the chief tool used
to monitor a patient during a sleep study,
also called a polysomnogram. The system
helps to streamline the process of
conducting the study, interpreting it and
providing information to the Centers staff of
six doctors and the many referring physicians
whose patients come to Saint Peters for a
sleep study, says Darius Ukunis, one of the
Centers six sleep technologists. Among
the things it helps us to do for the patient is
analyze breathing patterns that were once
only done in a pulmonary function laboratory,
integrate the database of information obtained,
and provide physicians with remote access to
the information, he says.

The Saint Peters facility is located within the

hospital which ensures the safety of patients
if there was a need for immediate medical
attention.

The Sleep Study

During an overnight stay at the Saint
Peters Center for Sleep and Breathing
Disorders, patients are monitored by
sensors that are placed on specific parts
of the body head, chest and legs.
These sensors measure brain waves, leg
movement and heart rate; the information
is recorded by computers found in the
Centers control room where the sleep
technologist, who places probes on the
patient, remains throughout the night. The
technologist analyzes the recorded data to
determine the quality and duration of the
patients sleep, to see how many times,
if any, the patient stops breathing, and
to check for any abnormal heart rhythms.
One of the Centers four bedrooms is
larger than the rest to accommodate pediatric
patients and the parent or guardian who
spends the night with them at the Center.

The Importance of Sleep

Studies show that children and adults do not
get enough sleep, and especially enough
restful sleep; yet studies also
point to the fact that a good
nights sleep is key to good
health. In addition to diabetes,
lack of sleep puts individuals
at risk for conditions such
as cardiac arrhythmias and
stroke, says Saint Peters
pulmonologist Ike Ekekwe, MD. Ike Ekekwe, MD
Sleep is a very important part of our daily
physiological needs, says Dr. Ekekwe.

At Saint Peters, one of the Sleep Medicine

doctors interprets the data, identifies a
problem if one is present, and provides a
diagnosis to the physician who has requested
the sleep study. Typically, although not always,
this physician is a pulmonologist or an internist,
but sometimes it is a dentist if, for example,
a patient grinds his/her teeth when sleeping.
The Centers doctors, who are board certified
in Sleep Medicine, work with the patients
physician to create a customized plan.
Before a patient comes in, the Centers
staff obtains pre-authorization from their
insurance company.

While there are many reasons why people

dont sleep well, busy schedules included,
often there is a medical reason. A polysomnogram provides a measurement of how well you
sleep and how your body responds to sleep
problems. A doctor who specializes in sleep
medicine can diagnose a problem, determine
how severe it is, and prescribe treatment,
which can include machines fitted to the face
that help patients with breathing. Because the
body must be observed during sleep, the study
requires that patients spend the night at a
sleep lab. On average we perform more than
80 sleep studies a month throughout the week
to accommodate our patients and we can
accommodate morning or daytime sleep
studies for those who do shift work and work
nights, says Dr. Ekekwe. We make sure you
get the very best care possible.

Children and adults may need a sleep

study if they:
Stop breathing during sleep
Feel sleepy during the day
Snore
Have headaches after awakening
Have a dry mouth after waking
Are irritable
Have trouble concentrating
Have memory problems
To learn more about the Center for Sleep and
Breathing Disorders at Saint Peters University
Hospital, visit saintpetershcs.com/sleep. To
make an appointment with a sleep specialist
or to find out what is required to have a sleep
study, call the Center for Sleep and Breathing
Disorders at 732-937-6055.

A LISTING OF PROGRAMS OFFERED THIS MONTH CAN BE FOUND ON THE REVERSE SIDE.

need a doctor? To find a Saint peters physician, call 1-855-sp-my-doc (1-855-776-9362).

zheimers/Dementia Caregivers Support Group

nt Peters Adult Day Center
New Mom Support Group

JULY 13, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

NOVEMBER 6, Noon 1:00 PM

DECember 2015
All programs are designed for community members and are held at Saint Peters University Hospital, unless otherwise noted.
For more information or to register for a program, call the contact number listed or visit saintpetershcs.com/newsandevents.

CANCER
Support
Breast Cancer Support Group

DECEMBER 7 & 21, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

Registration required.
Cancer Institute of New Jersey
Deborah Leif, MSW, LCSW 732-235-7011

Free Healthy Steps Exercise Class for

Cancer Survivors
Tuesdays, 6:00 PM 7:00 PM
Thursdays, 10:00 AM 11:00 AM

Saint Peters Sports Medicine Institute

562 Easton Avenue, Somerset
Call 732-745-8570 to register. Must have medical
clearance from a physician.

Gynecologic Cancer Support Group

DECEMBER 8, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

COMMUNITY
MOBILE HEALTH
Services
For more information about

DIABETES
EDUCATION
Childrens Insulin Pump Group
DECEMBER 14, 6:30 PM 8:30 PM

screenings and educational programs,

or the CMHS corporate flu shot program,
please call 732-745-8600, x8903.

732-745-8600, x8751

Blood Sugar Screening

DECEMBER 2, 11:30 aM 1:00 PM

Registration and doctors prescription required.

732-745-6667

Diabetes Self-Management Education

HELD MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS

Wesley T. Hanson Apartments, Perth Amboy

Residents only.

Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar Screenings

DECEMBER 3, 2:00 PM 3:30 PM
DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. Residences at Somerset
Residents only.

Cancer Institute of New Jersey 732-235-6792

DECEMBER 9, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Latina Women with Cancer

Support Group
DECEMBER 12, 10:00 AM 1:00 PM

DECEMBER 9, 12:30 PM 2:00 PM

Gestational Diabetes
Self-Management Class
HELD WEDNESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Registration and a doctors prescription required.

732-745-6667

Diabetes Education Support Group

DECEMBER 16, 10:30 am 11:30 Am
Center for Ambulatory Resources (CARES)
240 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick
For more information, call 732-339-7630.

Hillsborough Senior Center

Residents only.

SUPPORT
GROUPS

Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center

Light lunch will be served. Free, but registration
requested. Sessions conducted in Spanish.
Call 908-658-5400 for more information.

SHIPS St. Johns Episcopal Church, Somerville

Living with Cancer Support Group

DECEMBER 2 & 16, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

DECEMBER 11, 11:00 AM 12:30 PM

Autism Family Support Group

DECEMBER 13, 3:00 pM 5:00 pM

Health Fairs
DECEMBER 1, 8:00 AM 3:00 pM

Alzheimers/Dementia Caregivers
Support Group
DECEMBER 8, 10:00 AM 11:30 AM

Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Barbara Hale, LCSW 732-235-7557

PARENT
EDUCATION
For information, fees and registration, call Parent

Education at 732-745-8579, unless otherwise indicated.

Baby Care
DECEMBER 6, 9:00 AM 1:00 PM
DECEMBER 7 & 14, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
Breastfeeding Class
DECEMBER 19, 9:00 AM 11:30 AM
Breastfeeding Support Group
DECEMBER 4, 1:00 PM 2:30 PM
Infant Massage
DECEMBER 8, 6:00 PM 7:30 PM
Marvelous Multiples
DECEMBER 7, 7:00 PM 9:30 PM
New Daddy Support Group
DECEMBER 17, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM
New Mom Support Group
DECEMBER 4, Noon 1:00 PM
Postnatal Yoga and Exercise Class
(four-week sessions)

DECEMBER 11, 9:30 AM 10:30 AM

New Brunwsick Senior Center
Members only.

877-886-9462

Elijahs Promise, New Brunswick

Wellspring 12th Annual Young Womens

Conference, Saint John Neumann Conference and
Banquet Center, Piscataway

DECEMBER 3, 5:30 PM 7:00 PM

Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better Wellness

Fair. Part of the Weight-Control Information
Network, a national service of the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Sister Marie de Pazzi Conference Center

DECEMBER 10, 9:00 AM 11:00 AM

Crossroads North Middle School, Monmouth

Junction
Staff only.

DECEMBER 11, 7:30 AM NOON

Saint Peters Adult Day Center

200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Rachel Kallish, CSW 609-655-6853

Bereavement Support Group

DECEMBER 3 & 17, 7:00 PM 8:30 PM

732-745-8565

Prenatal Yoga and Exercise Class

(four-week sessions)

WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

7:00 PM 8:30 PM
Registration required.

Prepared Childbirth Classes

MONDAYS, THURSDAYS, or ALL-DAY
SESSIONS SECOND AND FOURTH
WEEKENDS

SPECIAL EVENTS

EMS education series

SHARE Support Group

annual diabetes head to

toe conference

Saint Peters Adult Day Center

200 Overlook Drive, Monroe Township
Stephanie Fitzsimmons-Sexton, RN, APN
609-655-2220

Irina Mariano-Brown, MSW, LCSW

732-745-8522

Breast Health Presentation

DECEMBER 2, 10:00 AM 11:00 AM

Free; refreshments served. CEU credits.

Call 908-238-3254 to register.

saturday, december 12
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Rutgers University, Busch Campus

Student Center
604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway
Call 732-469-7979 for more info.

Save the date

Presenter: Kathy Ianuzzo, ADN, RNC

Halls Corner, East Brunswick

about mens health

annual health fair

FRIDAYS, 6:00 PM 7:15 PM

Registration required.

The Saint Peters

Healthcare System
YouTube channel is home
to the more than 200 videos
we have posted, including
Ask Saint Peters video series
on how to get a better nights
sleep.

thursday, DecemBER 17
7:00 PM
topic: Sports Injuries

DECEMBER 17, 7:00 PM 9:00 PM

free community
lectures

YouTube Alert

Caregivers Support Group/Monroe

DECEMBER 10, 1:30 PM 3:00 PM

(for those who have suffered miscarriage, stillbirth

or neonatal death)

Dunellen High School Wellness Fair

Staff only.

Members of the Center for Sleep and

Breathing Disorders team.

SHARE YOUR BABYS PHOTO ON OUR BILLBOARD

Parents of babies born at Saint Peters University Hospital can post photos of their
newborn or in the case of multiple births their newborns on our digital billboard along
Route 1 by using our Facebook app called Saint Peters Delivers! For more details visit
http://www.facebook.com/spmybaby

saturday, February 13, 2016

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Saint Peters Healthcare System staff, doctors

and nurses will provide health education and
screening services. A light lunch will be served.

Are you at risk for diabetes

and hypertension?

Registration required.

Sibling Class
DECEMBER 19, 12:30 PM 1:30 PM

maternity tourS
View our interactive maternity tour, which includes pictures of our private labor and
delivery suites and our modern mother/baby units, at www.saintpetershcs.com/
MaternityTour to get an idea of what you can expect when you deliver at Saint Peters.
To schedule a tour, call Parent Education at 732-745-8579.

If you do not have insurance or

not enough of it to manage chronic
illnesses such as diabetes and
hypertension, call Saint Peters
Diabetes and Hypertension Center
at Saint Peters Family
Health Center, 123 How Lane,
New Brunswick, at 732-339-7672.

This calendar is for information only. Do not rely on it to make healthcare decisions on your own; instead, talk with your healthcare provider for advice and treatment. Do not ignore medical advice or delay seeking
it because of something you read here. We do not suggest or endorse that you have any tests, use products, or use other information in this document without advice from your healthcare provider.

254 Easton Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

732-745-8600

Catholic hospital sponsored by the Diocese of Metuchen

800-269-7508

www.saintpetershcs.com

| State-designated childrens hospital and regional perinatal center

| Affiliate of The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia

Major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences