The Sleep Center at Methodist Hospital | Atascsoa has a unique atmosphere, designed for comfort, where three customized rooms were created, each with their own theme to make patients feel as if they are in a hotel space. COURTESY PHOTO | METHODIST HOSPITAL | ATASCOSA
Sleep is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing, and Methodist Hospital | Atascosa is here to offer help with its stateof the-art sleep center.
With its latest diagnostic tests and certified sleep experts, the sleep center is here to help patients discover sleep problems and decide the best treatment plan for their needs.
Sleep Center Director Andrew Garza said sleep deficiency and untreated sleep disorders can be associated with a growing number of health problems, like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, weight gain, memory loss, loss of productivity and a decrease in energy.
“I’ve talked to so many people and it’s a life changer for them,” Garza said. “As far as not getting a good night’s sleep and feeling the way they do – after having a sleep study done, the productivity in their life and their quality of life increases by 70%.”
Diagnosis of sleep disorders is vital, and at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, the certified sleep experts can diagnose central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, circadian rhythm disorders, insomnia, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, restless leg syndrome and sleepwalking.
Treatments offered include behavioral therapy, continuous or bi-level positive airway pressure (CPAP/BiPAP), lifestyle changes, medication, sleep position therapy and surgery.
What makes sleep study at MHA unique is that the atmosphere was designed for comfort where three customized rooms were created, each with their own theme to make patients feel as if they are in a hotel space.
“We think it’s really important to make the patients feel comfortable,” Garza said. “We have high quality mattresses in there, they’ll have access to cable TV and we have drinks and snacks to make them feel like they’re in the comfort of a luxurious hotel suite.”
Some signs and symptoms concerned people should look for to possibly indicate a sleep disorder is excessive daytime sleepiness and tiredness, when someone witnesses another having periods of apnea or episodes of stopped breathing at night while asleep, fatigue, erectile dysfunction or snoring.
Garza said that Restless Leg Syndrome, periodic limb movement which happens throughout the night, is one that people don’t realize is a symptom of sleep disorder. Acting out in dreams is also a good indication that a sleep study may be needed. He also said other signs may include unusual behaviors during sleep such as sleepwalking, moving around or rhythmic movements such as shaking.
Garza also reiterated that daytime drowsiness, or falling asleep at inappropriate places and times and unexplained insomnia are some good indications to talk to their doctor about getting a sleep study.
Sleep study is a noninvasive study which requires an overnight exam that allows the doctors to monitor the patient while they sleep and see what’s happening in the brain and the body. In most cases, within a 24-hour period, a sleep study can be completed and sent to the primary care physician. Garza said that there is also the option of a home study where patients can monitor from the comfort of their own home.
The sleep study will tell whether or not the patient stopped breathing while asleep which could result in low oxygen levels, stress on the heart and poor sleep quality.
Doctors will monitor for changes in heart rate and breathing rate and changes in blood oxygen levels that aren’t typical during sleep. If a decision is made to use positive pressure ventilation, CPAP machines or BiPAP machines, it will indicate which device and the type of settings that are going to best work for the patient that possibly may need these.
The types of disorders that the sleep center will look at are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), central sleep apnea (CSA), a mix of obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea or narcolepsy.
The CPAP is continuous positive airway pressure, which blows air for the patient when breathing out against pressure. BiPAP is bi-level positive airway pressure, so when the patient breathes in, it helps the patient breathe when blown out against resistance.
“So many people who have gone for years and years that have not had their sleep apnea diagnosed, turn around, have it diagnosed, get on treatment, whether it’s a CPAP machine or BiPAP, which now they are so small that you barely even realize that you’re on it,” Garza said. “They wake up totally refreshed, like they’re a whole new person and ready to tackle the day.”
Doctors will also look at leg movement and unusual movements that happen which are indications of REM sleep disorders.
For questions about sleep studies, Garza said anyone can reach them locally by calling 830- 769-5951, or if someone wants to stop in to be screened and find out if they are at risk for sleep apnea, Methodist Hospital | Atascosa would be happy to do a free screening.
