Sleep Center
Approximately 70 million Americans have trouble sleeping. If you are one of them, the sleep specialists at Valley Baptist Medical Center can help.
The Sleep Center at VBMC was Harlingen’s first sleep specialty facility, and is dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric sleep disorders. Since 1996 this state-of the art diagnostic facility has evaluated and assisted area physicians in helping thousands of people get a good night’s sleep, every night.
Prior to the lab opening, Valley residents often had to travel to McAllen, San Antonio, Houston or Corpus Christi for specialized testing. Having a sleep center in the Valley not only saves money and time for these families, it may save lives.
Conditions we treat
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is characterized by loud irregular snoring followed by periods of breathlessness or gasping/choking during sleep. Other symptoms associated with sleep apnea may include: excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep during the day, falling asleep while driving, hypertension, frequent awakenings (to urinate) and morning headaches. Left untreated, this disorder could lead to stress on the heart, a progressive deterioration of health and possibly sudden death at night.
Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, disturbed nocturnal sleep and pathological manifestations of REM sleep (e.g., cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnogogic hallucinations). The manifestation can be a nuisance during the early stages to severely incapacitating as it develops. While excessive daytime sleepiness is the main symptom, napping behavior is usually a clue to the presence of this disease. A nap will usually relieve the sleepiness. This disorder usually begins to show up in people during their early teens or twenties.
Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep PLMS and Restless Leg Syndrome RLS refer to either rhythmic limb movements during sleep or uncontrollable “achy, crawling” sensations in the legs. Through a polysomnogram we can identify the disorder.
REM Behavior Disorders A rare condition in which the paralysis that occurs during REM sleep does not take hold, and people who behave normally while awake get up and act out their dreams or exhibit violent behavior while asleep.
Insomnia is a symptom. If deemed appropriate, a sleep evaluation may be useful in determining the underlying cause.
Infant Sleep Apnea - Premature infants are particularly susceptible to sleep apnea, which has been associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There is literature also linking sleep apnea to ADD and many children are misdiagnosed without proper testing.
Infant Parasomnias are disruptive phenomenons that occur during sleep. These include waking up confused, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, nightmares and sleep paralysis.
To make an appointment or for more information, please call (956) 425-6400.