Snoring can be HAZARDOUS to Your Health!

Approximately 70 million Americans have trouble sleeping. A study by the National Commission on Sleep Disorders Research found that sleep disorders may affect more than half of all persons over 65 and can precipitate certain mental and physical illnesses.

According to two recent polls and a congressional study, more than 20 million of us suffer from sleep apnea or narcolepsy, serious and sometimes fatal, sleep-related diseases. An estimated 38,000 people die each year from the consequences of sleep apnea. Department of Transportation research studies are looking into links between chronic sleepiness and motor vehicle accidents. Some states have passed legislation with severe penalties making it a crime to drive while sleepy.

About our Center

The Sleep Center at Valley Baptist Medical Center was Harlingen’s first facility dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis and treatment of adult and pediatric sleep disorders. Opening its doors in 1996, this state-of the art diagnostic facility has evaluated and assisted area physicians in treating over 2500 patients. Realizing the need for a sleep diagnostic facility has enabled many Valley residents to obtain quality sleep medicine in the Valley.

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 by keeping sleepy individuals off the road.

Proper Diagnosis For adults we can evaluate for:

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
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 one or all: excessive daytime sleepiness, falling asleep during the day, falling asleep while driving, hypertension, frequent awakenings (to urinate) and morning headaches.

In most instances, the bed partner is the individual who first notices the symptoms. Apnea can affect anyone but seems to hit hardest in men 30 to 60. Women after age 45 (post-menopausal) or after hysterectomy are at risk to develop sleep apnea and there is also an increased association during pregnancy. Left untreated this disorder could lead to a progressive deterioration of health and possibly sudden death at night. After age 65, the prevalence of sleep apnea increases for both sexes.

Narcolepsy
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. 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 presents during early teens or twenties.

Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMS) and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
PLMS and 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.

Parasomnias
Parasomnias are disruptive phenomenon that occur during sleep or exaggerated by sleep. These include Confusional arousals, Sleepwalking (somnambulism), Sleep terrors, Nightmares and Sleep paralysis.

REM Behavior Disorders (RBD)
A rare condition where otherwise normal people (daytime) for an unknown reason lose the paralysis which normally occurs during REM and they act out their dreams or exhibit violent behavior.

Insomnia
Who among us does not have a sleepless night every once in a while due to stress or crisis? However, when a sleepless night turns into a week or months, something is wrong. 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 and have been associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). There is literature linking sleep apnea to ADD and in fact many children are misdiagnosed without proper testing.

Infant Parasomnias
Parasomnias are disruptive phenomenon that occur during sleep or exaggerated by sleep. These include Confusional arousals, Sleepwalking (somnambulism), Sleep terrors, Nightmares and Sleep paralysis.

 Sleep Bruxism
Grinding of teeth at night.