THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502100175
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
SOME PEOPLE can't stay awake during the day; others can't fall asleep at night.
Dr. Michael Slattery, staff neurologist and sleep specialist at Obici Hospital in Suffolk, has the job of helping people find the causes of their sleep/nonsleep problems.
``It's a broad spectrum,'' he said. ``Sometimes it's caused by depression. Other times, it's a medically-related issue'' such as narcolepsy, an uncontrollable, frequent desire for sleep.
Whatever the reason, sleep disorders are not uncommon. Slattery said about 10 percent of the population has some form of sleep disorder.
Slattery he spends about one day a week seeing patients with sleep disorders and reading studies that help him understand patients and their disorders.
To diagnose a patient, Slattery has them come into the lab at Obici and spend time sleeping - or trying to fall asleep.
``We check their sleep stages,'' he said. ``We monitor the oxygen they're getting by placing bands around their chest. And we monitor their leg movement and check for any kind of seizures.''
A sleep disorder can be as simple as one spouse waking the other up with an unintentional kick in the middle of the night.
``That can be caused by an iron deficiency. Other times, we just don't find out why the person kicks in their sleep,'' he said.
Name: Michael R. Slattery.
What brought you to Suffolk? I joined Southeastern Neurology Group.
Hometown: Garden City, New York.
Birthdate: Jan. 7, 1958.
Occupation: Physician neurologist with a speciality interest in epilepsy, sleep disorders and neuropsychiatry.
Marital Status: Married.
Children: Expecting our first child.
Favorite movies: Comedies.
Favorite magazine: ``National Geographic.''
Favorite food and drink: Lasagna.
Favorite night out on the town: Listening to jazz and blues.
A book you wish everyone would read: ``No More Sleepless Nights'' by Peter Hauri. I feel that education with regards to proper sleep hygene would improve the level of effectiveness and safety of our society.
Favorite bar or restaurant: ``The Improv'' in New York City.
What's the best thing about yourself? I feel that I am a compassionate and sensitive person who deeply cares about his patients, family and friends.
Worst habit: Sometimes I'm too serious.
Few people know. . . that I am a musician when I'm not being a physician.
First thing in the morning: Exercise.
Pets: Two dogs.
Hobbies: Playing the saxophone. I also enjoy biking, racquetball and tennis.
Ideal vacation: Scuba diving in a tropical climate.
First job: Messenger - Wall Street in New York, N.Y.
Worst job: Household cleaning and food shopping.
Pet peeve: Lines and traffic.
What achievements are you most proud of? Graduating from medical school with residencies in psychiatry and neurology at Tufts University in Boston. Graduation from fellowship programs in sleep disorders and epilepsy at Harvard Medical School in Boston. And board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``Caring physician, husband, father and avid lover of music.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Michael R. Slattery
by CNB