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Do you experience an inclination for snoring, daytime sleepiness, obesity, high blood pressure, impaired concentration and memory loss, or mood and behavioral changes?
Or are additional symptoms experienced, which may include sleep apnea (repeated stop and start breathing); breathing shallowly while sleeping; gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD-experiencing heartburn, regurgitation, non-burning chest pain, difficulty swallowing, or a chronic cough); headaches; daytime fatigue; weight gain and heart issues? These maladies may warrant discussing with your care provider, who may initiate a sleep study to improve your sleep and health.
Seventy million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder, which can significantly affect their productivity and well-being not only at night but also throughout their day. These disorders may be linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes glucose regulation, fatal arrhythmia, and increased morbidity and mortality.
Texas County Memorial Hospital’s Sleep Studies program, overseen by Juan Mella, MD, Pulmonologist, assists patients with sleep issues. Tests for different types of sleep apnea and sleep disorders are done using state-of-the-art equipment in a comfortable, home-like environment. They are done six days a week, which means flexible hours availability.
TCMH home sleep studies are also available. These studies include multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs measure how quickly a person falls asleep) and maintenance of wakefulness tests (MWTs measure a person’s ability to stay awake and alert). Participation in sleep study testing requires a physician’s order.
Monitors use precisely placed sensors to show how the body reacts as a person sleeps and record brain waves, heartbeats, and breathing.
After reviewing the sleep study test results, recommendations can be made to enhance sleep and, therefore, waking hours.
A common sleep disorder diagnosis is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), in which the upper airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, leading to breathing difficulties.
OSA is treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine that uses mild air pressure to keep breathing airways open while you sleep.
If your provider prescribes a CPAP machine for a sleep disorder, your insurance will work with a company provider for the machine. However, the CPAP machine will benefit only when used and maintained correctly. Personal compliance must be met to ensure optimum health benefits and future accessibility.
These benefits include a better quality of sleep, reduced or eliminated snoring, which a partner may appreciate, and less daytime sleepiness. Long-term usage can help prevent or control high blood pressure, lower the risk of stroke, and improve memory or other cognitive functions.
The TCMH Sleep Studies program will launch a monthly CPAP Clinic for the community on Friday, January 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any person who uses a CPAP machine may make a 30-minute appointment with our sleep technicians to evaluate CPAP usage. The clinic will also be open to those who do not have a CPAP machine but are experiencing sleep apnea concerns.
The patient will need to bring the download from their CPAP machine (this will allow the staff to see the patient’s sleep patterns), and a form of approval to view the download and administer guidance will have to be signed.
The technician can then troubleshoot any problems with non-compliance of their machine. They can also guide the patient and give personal helpful tips for better utilization and understanding of their machine. This service is available to TCMH patients, community members, and their providers who do not provide this valuable service.
For additional information about TCMH sleep studies or assistance with a CPAP machine, call (417) 967-1326 or visit tcmh.org.