Dr. Habel and Pamela Jackson

Dr. Habel, Bring Me a Dream!

Success at the Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center

By FROEDTERT PLEASANT PRAIRIE HOSPITAL

Healthy Connections is published by Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital.

Dr. Alfred Habel may not be the sandman, but he is the Medical Director of the Froedtert Kenosha Sleep Disorder Center, and he has been helping the Kenosha community achieve successful sleep since 1997. Dr. Habel and the Sleep Disorder Center team have cared for over ten thousand patients with sleep disorders such as insomnia, parasomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome. Poor sleep can be dangerously unhealthy, but help is right here. Just ask Dr. Habel to bring you a dream!

Alfred Habel, M.D., Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine

“I THOUGHT EVERYONE WAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIRED THAT I FELT. THANKS TO DR. HABEL, I NOW HAVE THE CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND APPROPRIATE TREATMENT FOR MY SLEEP DISORDER.” -MEGAN WEAVER

“I never thought my excessive tiredness was unusual,” said Megan Weaver, Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center patient. “I would fall asleep at friends’ houses when everyone else would be awake. I once fell asleep on a cold linoleum floor in front of a clothes dryer. I just thought it was normal to be tired. I worked as a dental assistant, and I even fell asleep while assisting with a root canal. It wasn’t until my employer asked me if I had narcolepsy that I started to view my symptoms in a whole new light.”

Megan Weaver

Dr. Habel said, “Megan came to me as a second opinion for her excessive sleepiness. I encourage patients to be proactive and to admit that their sleep is a problem. We are here to help.”

Megan said, “It didn’t matter how vital the task was, such as being at work or driving, I would fall asleep. I had trouble keeping a job, and I didn’t know what was wrong. I did not have control over falling asleep. I thought everyone was the same amount of tired that I felt. Thanks to Dr. Habel, I now have the correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment for my sleep disorder. Dr. Habel listens and hears my concerns. He treats me as a whole person, he is accessible, and I always feel taken care of promptly. The staff at the clinic are always kind and helpful. I find it simple to schedule appointments and receive my prescription refills. I highly recommend Dr. Habel to others.”

“I am so relieved to know what my condition is and to not just be labeled as lazy,” said Megan. “With Dr. Habel’s help, I can now manage my symptoms and organize my life around my challenges. I work from home, and I am more successful now that I have a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. It is interesting that I have no family history of narcolepsy, and my identical twin sister, Mandy, is not affected with this sleep disorder. It is so important to pay attention to your own health and seek medical advice. Dr. Habel vastly improved my quality of life.”

Megan Weaver (left) and sister Mandy (right)

“I USED TO STOP BREATHING 80+ TIMES PER NIGHT. WITH DR. HABEL’S HELP, I NOW GET PROPER REST, AND I FEEL LIKE A BRAND-NEW PERSON!” -PAMELA JACKSON

“I used to toss and turn all night long, and I could even hear myself snore,” said Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center patient Pamela Jackson. “I needed to improve my sleeping. I sought medical help and made an appointment with Dr. Habel. I completed a sleep study at the clinic and was diagnosed with sleep apnea.”

“Sleep apnea is a common but very treatable sleep disorder,” said Dr. Habel. “Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. It is characterized by loud snoring followed by periods of shallow or paused breathing. The health repercussions of sleep apnea are severe, and medical attention is urgently recommended.”

Pamela explained, “I used to stop breathing eighty plus times per night. With Dr. Habel’s help, I now get proper rest, and I feel like a brand-new person! It’s amazing how regularly getting a good night’s sleep has improved my life. I recommend Dr. Habel to everyone that complains they don’t sleep well. He cares about me and my condition, and he explains everything. I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world. Getting proper rest dramatically improved my quality of life.”

Dr. Habel said, “Poor sleep is dangerous and can negatively impact a patient’s whole life. Patients with sleep apnea have an 8% increase in likelihood of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Receiving proper treatment for successful sleep is imperative for overall health.”

Pamela said, “Don’t be afraid to go see Dr. Habel for your sleep problems. He builds relationships with his patients and truly cares. He and his team took the time to listen to me and find the CPAP attachment option that worked best for me. I found success with the nostril attachment versus the face mask. Everyone at the clinic is helpful. I thank God for Dr. Habel and my CPAP machine!”

FULL-SERVICE SLEEP DISORDER CENTER

The Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center is a full-service center addressing all types of sleep issues including insomnia, REM behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome, and much more. Dr. Habel explores a wide range of options to ensure that each patient achieves successful sleep. A surgically implanted device called Inspire is new and is being offered by Dr. Habel as an alternative to external CPAP machines. Dr. Habel said, “If you have trouble initiating or maintaining sleep, don’t be afraid to admit that your sleep is a problem for you. The most common response I hear from patients is that they wish they would have come to see me much sooner.”

Char VanSant explains CPAP attachment options to patients like Pamela Jackson

Char VanSant is the Sleep Lab Coordinator, and she ensures that each patient is properly educated on everything from their sleep study protocol to their ongoing treatment. “We offer both in-lab and at-home sleep studies. Our goal is to make sure every patient gets answers to their questions and feels supported during their evaluation and treatment,” said Char.

“I take great pride in our whole team here at the Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center,” said Dr. Habel. “Our teamwork is invaluable, and our patients appreciate the high level of personalized care we provide. We are dedicated to helping improve our community’s health and wellbeing one good night sleep at a time.”

A referral is not always necessary to contact Dr. Habel and begin your evaluation. Contact the Froedtert Kenosha Center Sleep Disorder Center at (262) 653-5000 to see how Dr. Habel can bring you a dream and help you achieve successful sleep.

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