Having Trouble Sleeping? Check Out the Sleep Lab Services at a Texas Health Hospital

Having trouble sleeping? Sleep plays a role in every aspect of our lives. Sleep labs at the hospitals of Texas Health Resources help physicians diagnose and treat sleep disorders. "Usually if a patient is suffering from sleep apnea, they are irritable or moody and may have morning headaches," said Amanda Bowden, the Sleep Lab manager at Texas Health Harris Methodist HEB. "A lot of physiological problems go along with having sleep apnea." Sleep lab patients at Texas Health hospitals are monitored for different issues -- nothing is invasive, there are no needle sticks, nothing hurts! Technicians monitor brain waves, heart waves, eye movement, respiratory movement in the abdomen and chest, a snore microphone, leg muscles, and oxygen saturation. All of the data are digitally captured as wave-forms on a computer over a six- to eight-hour period. Poor sleep can impact blood pressure, diabetes and vascular problems. Interrupted airflow is a common problem with sleep apnea. Therapy for sleep apnea might include CPAP -- Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A sleep disorder assessment can be completed online at: http://www.texashealth.org/workfiles/THR%20System/Service_Lines/SleepLabQuestionaire.pdf Interested individuals can share the results of an assessment with their doctor and ask about sleep studies at a Texas Health hospital. Texas Health Resources www.TexasHealth.org 1-877-THR-WELL