UCGH Sleep Study Lab
Having trouble with sleep?
In the Union County General Hospital Sleep Lab, we strive to help patients experience the most restful sleep possible.
Whether you sleep days or nights, getting the rest you need is one of the key factors in maintaining good health.
Measuring how well you sleep and how your body responds to sleep problems is the goal of a sleep study.
By watching your oxygen levels and brain waves, our Sleep Study providers can determine how to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Sleep, Sleep Studies, and Sleep Apnea
When patients come to us to have a sleep study performed, it is usually after they have already experienced many restless nights. They are tired of being tired and want relief. They may not know what it is called, but they know that something is wrong.
Sleep apnea is the most common reason for sleeplessness. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 200,000 new cases of sleep apnea are reported each year in the United States.
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the breathing starts and stops throughout the night because the tissue in the airway relaxes and closes. This causes the person to repeatedly wake in an effort to breath, resulting in continued tiredness throughout the day.
Of course, sleep apnea is not the only condition which could cause people to not get enough sleep at night, but it is the most common. The purpose of a sleep study is to determine the exact cause.
What if it is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea patients are at a higher risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiac problems and stroke. If you . . .
- snore,
- have pauses in your breathing while asleep,
- gasp for air during periods of sleep,
- have difficulty maintaining your sleep,
- wake with a dry mouth,
- have morning headaches,
- are irritable for no clear reason,
- experience excessive daytime sleepiness
. . .the problem is likely sleep apnea.
If you are experiencing sleep apnea, know that there is help at UCGH.
Risk Factors of Sleep Apnea
If you think you may have sleep apnea, that there are certain risk factors which the Sleep Study team at UCGH will consider. These include:
- Excess weight
- Neck circumference
- A narrowed airway
- Being male
- Being older
- Family history
- Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers
- Smoking
- Nasal congestion
Each of these factors play a role in the likelihood of sleep apnea, but they are not the only factors. Most importantly, just be honest in discussing your situation with the team. The more they know about you and your lifestyle, the more accurate their diagnosis and the better your treatment.
If the problem is not sleep apnea, having the correct information will help the team know what could be going on with you.
Treating Sleep Disorders
The treatment of your sleep disorder will depend on the diagnosis. If the problem is sleep apnea, the most common treatment is the use of a CPAP machine to both open and keep open your airways while sleeping.
If some other problem is causing your restless nights, the UCGH Sleep Study Lab will assess your situation and advise the best course of treatment. Ultimately, your primary care physician will determine how best to help you, but our team will do their part to make sure the diagnosis is accurate.
Additional Services Provided Related to Sleep Disorders
In conjunction or apart from the sleep studies provided, other services which will help patients enjoy a restful night include:
- Home oxygen with 24/7 on-call personnel
- Portable oxygen
- Medical supplies
- PFT's
- Smoking cessation education
- CPAP services
- Bi-PAP services
Are You In Need of a Sleep Study?
If you believe you need to have a sleep study done, consult with your primary care provider to schedule one now at UCGH in Clayton, NM.
Quality sleep could CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!!
Find Us
Located in Clayton, New Mexico, Union County General Hospital (UCGH) also proudly serves the communities of Texline and Dalhart, Texas, Boise City, Oklahoma, Des Moines, Raton, and Amistad, NM, and many smaller communities in the region.