Our bodies need sleep. Lack of proper rest can have an impact on us physically and emotionally.
Approximately 70 million Americans suffer from one sleep disorder or another. Sleep disorders are commonly defined as any condition that prevents a person from getting restful sleep. At-home sleep studies available through Heart of Texas Healthcare System can help diagnose common sleep issues preventing proper rest. The greatest danger to not getting enough sleep isn’t so much the lack of sleep itself, but the dysfunction it can cause during the waking hours when we are supposed to be productive
“Proper functioning during the workday or school day is completely dependent upon having had a good night’s sleep’ said Teresa Maruna, RPSGT, sleep studies technician at Heart of Texas Healthcare System. “Studying how we sleep is incredibly important for these reasons and these days sleep studies can sometimes be performed in the comfort of a person’s own home. They are an important tool in diagnosing your sleep issue so you can get the treatment you need,” she said.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults should get eight to nine hours of sleep each night to function optimally throughout the day. However, according to recent national polls, more than two-thirds of American adults and children don’t get enough sleep.
Several common sleep disorders include obstructive sleep apnea, which affects approximately 4-percent of American men and 2-percent of women. This condition temporarily blocks breathing in the upper airways during sleep causing loud, labored snoring and stressful sleep interruptions leaving severe daytime drowsiness, depression, moodiness and lack of concentration.
Another and much more dangerous sleep disorder is narcolepsy. While rare, the condition causes a dysfunction in the brain mechanisms that manage sleeping and waking. Narcolepsy can cause a person to instantly fall asleep while conversing, walking, driving, operating machinery or performing any other work function.
These conditions can be diagnosed during a sleep study with experts using various equipment and testing techniques to help pinpoint the cause of a patient’s sleep disorder. Once a diagnosis has been made, physicians prescribe a treatment plan. Many sleep studies, such as those that detect sleep apnea, can be performed by a small device that a patient uses while sleeping in his or her own bed. When the sleep study is complete, the patient simply drops off the device for analysis at the provider’s office.
Causes of sleep disorders can stem from a variety of factors. Changes in lifestyle or work schedules, for example, can disrupt your sleeping pattern. But other problems that can affect sleep include anxiety, chronic pain, depression, and environmental conditions such as temperature and noise.
Smoking and drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages throughout the day, especially in the evening, can contribute to sleep difficulties. Stimulants can affect sleep patterns up to 12 hours after they are consumed.
As noted, sleep disorders are not usually confined to the bedroom but may cause other health issues. As one example, sleep apnea can lead to heart conditions. Those who are overweight or obese are at heightened risk of developing sleep apnea, although family history and other underlying health conditions can also play a role.
“Many people are living with sleep issues that may negatively affect their quality of life,” Maruna said. “But you don’t have to take these harmful concerns lying down. Talk to your healthcare providers at Heart of Texas Healthcare System if you are experiencing a sleep-related issue.”
To learn more about local healthcare services or to schedule an appointment, please call Heart of Texas Healthcare System at 325-597-2901 or visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.
About Heart of Texas Healthcare System
Heart of Texas Healthcare System provides healthcare for residents of McCulloch County and the surrounding area. Founded in 2011, the system offers a wealth of medical services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced radiology services, a clinical laboratory, physical therapy, surgical services, patient education, sleep studies, and more. The system also owns and operates Brady Medical Clinic, which provides family medicine, preventive care, and acute care for minor emergencies. For additional information, please visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.