If you wake up tired despite a whole night’s sleep, you’re not alone, and that feeling isn’t simply “part of getting older.” Poor sleep can be a sign that your breathing or lung health needs attention. Addressing it can change how you feel every day. At Virginia Lung, sleep care is part of how we help people feel stronger, clearer, and more rested. With experts like Dr. Demetria Yarbrough and convenient options such as a home sleep study, we work to make evaluation and treatment clear, timely, and compassionate.
Sleep is the body’s time to repair. That includes your lungs and the network of muscles and airways that support steady breathing. When breathing is disrupted at night, your tissues may not receive a consistent supply of oxygen. Over time, that can aggravate heart and lung conditions and lead to daytime sleepiness, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Think of sleep as a nightly tune-up. If airflow or oxygen levels are irregular, the body cannot complete the work it needs to do.
Several conditions can interfere with restorative sleep:
The encouraging news is that sleep-related breathing disorders are treatable. Improving nighttime breathing can reduce daytime fatigue, support healthier blood pressure, and lift mood and memory. For many patients, better nights lead to safer days and more control over chronic conditions.
People often overlook early patterns or chalk them up to aging or stress. Pay attention to symptoms that repeat. Suppose you regularly notice loud snoring, daytime fatigue, morning headaches, dry mouth on waking, or episodes of gasping or choking during sleep. In that case, these may be signs of obstructive sleep apnea or another sleep disorder. In older adults, the signals can be subtle. New forgetfulness, slower reaction time, or a stronger tendency to nap may point to disrupted sleep at night.
If a partner has noticed pauses in your breathing, or you feel drowsy while driving or during essential activities, do not ignore those red flags. An evaluation can ease worry and map a path to solutions that restore better sleep and breathing.
Dr. Demetria Yarbrough specializes in sleep medicine and brings a patient-first approach grounded in listening and education. She helps patients connect how they sleep with how they feel the next day, particularly when conditions such as heart failure, COPD, diabetes, or obesity are part of the picture. Her perspective is shaped by advanced sleep training and experience coordinating care across specialties. You can expect clear explanations, collaborative decisions, and follow-up that supports confidence with each step.
“Sleep is foundational to healing. We’re here to help you find restful nights again.”
— Dr. Demetria Yarbrough
A home sleep study (also called a home sleep apnea test, or HSAT) provides a comfortable way to begin diagnosing sleep-related breathing problems. You sleep in your own bed while a small device measures airflow, oxygen levels, and breathing effort. This approach offers accurate data without an overnight stay in a sleep lab and is often appropriate when obstructive sleep apnea is suspected.
Here is what the process looks like:
Throughout the process, our staff focuses on clarity and comfort. Questions are answered in plain language, and results are reviewed promptly so you are not left waiting.
After your study, our sleep specialists interpret the data alongside your symptoms and overall health to build a plan you can follow with confidence. That plan may include CPAP to gently keep the airway open during sleep, with support to choose a comfortable mask and fine-tune pressure settings; alternatives for milder cases, such as positional strategies, weight management, or treatment for nasal congestion and allergies; and, when needed, additional testing.
Care continues after the prescription. We schedule follow-ups, adjust equipment as you settle in, and coordinate with your primary care physician or other specialists so your treatment feels supported and effective from the first week onward.
Look out for the following symptoms and patterns. They are common in sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders:
If one or two of these are familiar, speak with a clinician. The sooner you explore testing, the sooner you can take steps toward relief.
Patients tell us that clarity and convenience reduce stress, so we designed our sleep pathway to be timely, well-communicated, and close to home. From your first call, we prioritize quick appointments and prompt result reviews. We explain each step in simple terms and keep your broader care team informed. Home testing preserves comfort and privacy by letting you sleep in your own bed, and our Mechanicsville location serves Richmond and Hanover with compassionate, team-based care. The goal is a smooth experience that helps you gain momentum and feel the benefits of better sleep.
If you suspect sleep apnea or another sleep-related breathing issue, an evaluation can bring clarity and relief. Virginia Lung offers a streamlined path to diagnosis and treatment, led by clinicians who value education, empathy, and results. To schedule a consultation or learn more about home sleep studies, call 804-522-LUNG (5864) or request an appointment.
Better sleep is within reach. One appointment can be the start of healthier nights and brighter days.
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