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Sleep disorder center
to open on Maui

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By Gary Kubota
Maui correspondent

WAILUKU -- The state's medical center on Maui is establishing a special unit to help people sleep better.

Maui Memorial Medical Center will be opening a "Sleep Disorder Unit" tomorrow. On Oahu, there are four medical centers that treat sleep disorders.

Officials say about 2 to 4 percent of the population usually has a serious sleep disorder that can have a long-term effect on a person's health and lead to premature death.

The center's medical director Dr. Jonathan Weisul said sleep disorders can also take a huge toll on work productivity.

The center's chief executive officer Boyd Kleefisch said Maui Memorial is expected to "break even" in providing the service.

The center is spending $240,000 to develop the unit, including four beds and medical equipment to monitor patients. Operating the facility is expected to cost $420,000 annually.

Dr. Edward Morgan, a breathing and sleep specialist on Oahu, said as those suffering from sleep apnea have difficulty breathing because the nerves in their muscles fall asleep and allow the passage between the windpipe and tonsil to narrow to such a degree that it stops the air.

One of the potential signs of sleep apnea is loud snoring, followed by choking, he said.

Edwards said the person then awakens in a semi-conscious state to assume a normal breathing pattern and falls asleep again.

"The result is you won't be sleeping well ... and you will be sleepy and tired during the day," he said.

Edwards said some sleep apnea patients require surgery.

He said about 70 to 80 percent of sleep apnea cases may be treated through using a mechanical device that puts pressure on the nose to cause the blockage to open during sleep.

"It's basically easy to treat. The biggest problem is most people think they're fine," Morgan said.

Dr. Cora Tasaki said for many, sleep disorders stem from a kind of "jet lag" effect due to changing work shifts and stress at home and at work, and people eventually adjust to the changes.

She said sometimes the source of a sleep disorder can be a dietary problem.

She recalled how one man went to four physicians before she found the source of his sleeping disorder.

"The guy drank a pot of coffee a day," she said.