An estimated 50-70 million U.S. adults have a sleep or wakefulness disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For many patients, an overnight sleep study may be recommended to help monitor sleep patterns and make a diagnosis. The Sleep Disorders Center at Northwest Texas Healthcare System provides a safe, comfortable environment where you can have the testing you need to help put your sleep problems to rest.
Why is diagnosing a sleep problem important?
Sleep doesn't just affect your quality of life. It can also impact your health. For example, obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses in the airway, can cause a person to stop breathing up to hundreds of times each night. This can lead to possible high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes and other problems.
Along with sleep apnea, the Sleep Disorders Center also conducts testing for insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep), restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.
What are the symptoms?
Missy Mitchell, RRT-NPS, RCP, Manager of the Sleep Disorders Center, says symptoms that may lead to sleep testing include: loud snoring, gasping, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, dry mouth and sore throat, waking frequently to urinate, feeling irritable, depressed, mood swings, personality changes, memory loss and not being able to concentrate.
“You may find yourself falling asleep during still moments during the day,” she notes. This can detract from productivity at work or school and may put people at increased risk of automobile accidents — a serious concern for many patients.
Getting appropriate care starts with an accurate diagnosis. “We want to help patients get the answers they need to get a better night’s rest,” Mitchell says.
What happens in a sleep study?
During an overnight stay at the Sleep Disorders Center, clinicians monitor sleep patterns, heart rate, breathing, muscle movement, brain waves and oxygen levels. The Center is located in the Women’s Healthcare Associates (WHA) building at 1301 S. Coulter, Suite 110, Amarillo.
The Sleep Disorders Center features:
- Private rooms, each with an adjustable queen-sized bed and TV
- Private bathrooms with a shower in each room
- Beverages and other amenities to ensure a comfortable night’s stay
If you have concerns about your sleep, talk with your doctor. A doctor’s order is required for a sleep study at the Sleep Disorders Center. For more information, call 806-351-7013.