101 E. 11th Street

Phone: (620) 624-2991

Fax: (620) 624-2159

How common are sleep disorders?

Sleep isn’t just “time out” from daily life. It is an active state important for renewing our mental and physical health each day. More than 70 million Americans of all ages, however, regularly fail to get a good night’s sleep. At least 84 disorders of sleeping and waking lead to a lowered quality of life and reduced personal health. These disorders can lead to problems falling asleep and staying asleep, difficulties staying awake or staying with a regular sleep / wake cycle, sleepwalking, nightmares, and other problems that interfere with sleep. Some sleep disorders can be life threatening. Your physical health and emotional well being depend on a good night’s sleep. For the 15 to 30 percent of Americans who suffer from sleep disorders, a restful night is a dream, not a reality. When properly diagnosed, sleep disorders can be treated. We can help you find the answers to your sleeping problem.

Sleep disorders affect loved ones, too, as well as employers. Often, family members can not sleep because a loved one is snoring. On the job, employers pay the price for mistakes, injuries and lost productivity. Usually, the first step to a good night’s sleep is to take an over-the-counter medication just to get through the night. These pills rarely provide long-term solutions. But, at Southwest Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Laboratory, we provide solutions for reliable, peaceful, healthy sleep.

About the Sleep Lab

Southwest Medical Center has offered sleep lab services to the local and surrounding community since May 1994. Southwest Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Laboratory originally was located on the fourth floor of the hospital but has moved offsite as of June 2008. Today, it has two beds and a more spacious and comfortable atmosphere. This has helped in meeting patient demand and improved patient services.

Southwest Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Laboratory provides a comfortable and convenient alternative to hospital-based sleep studies. We offer a full range of sleep-disorder solutions. We accept and file most insurance, welcome all major credit cards and offer flexible, individualized payment plans to fit your budget, too. For most patients, sleep studies are covered under Major Medical Insurance Plans. The percentage of coverage depends upon your specific plan. The best place to find out details of your coverage is with your Insurance Company. For any further questions, please contact our Financial Aid / Insurance Verification Counselors at (620)-629-6640.

How can I schedule a sleep exam?

A referral from your physician is needed to schedule your sleep testing. If you feel you are in need of a sleep test, please contact your physician to discuss this with them. If they feel you qualify, they will contact us to schedule your appointment.

Once your appointment has been scheduled, you will be sent a packet of questionnaires to aid in the diagnostic process. These completed forms will need to be brought with you the night of your study. Additional information and a medical history will also be requested of your physician.

It is important that you do not stop any medications you are taking without first asking your physician. Please bring these medications or a list of medications with you the night of your study.
To make your stay more comfortable, you may want to bring the following:

  • Your own pillow, if desired (some people sleep better with a familiar pillow).
  • Bed clothes (preferably two piece pajamas).
  • Something to read or work on during the non-sleep periods.
  • A change of clothes for the next day.
  • Any necessary medications (none will be supplied by our staff).

How is the study performed?

Once the physician and patient have discussed their health issues, the patient will undergo an overnight sleep study in the lab, called a polysomnogram, to confirm the diagnosis. A sleep study is a noninvasive test that provides essential data during various stages of sleep. It monitors sleep stages, oxygen levels, heart rate, and respiratory events, along with many other variables. SWMC proudly uses state-of-the-art equipment to record the data, as well as name-brand firmness-adjustable mattresses and home-like settings to provide a comfortable atmosphere for the patients. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the second part of the study is a nasal CPAP trial used to determine the best way to treat the problem. Air is lightly blown into the nose and/or mouth to increase air pressure and provide a splint to hold the airway open. Different air pressures are used to determine what level works best for the patient. The sleep study results are then analyzed and interpreted by a trained sleep technologist.

Exam Room

Following the sleep study, the board certified sleep physician will review the results and send them to your physician so that they may make recommendations for your treatment. If nasal CPAP therapy is the chosen treatment the patient will be contacted by the home medical equipment company of their choosing so that they may have an educational session with the CPAP therapist who addresses mask sizing, equipment maintenance and patient expectations. After the patient has been set up on CPAP, additional follow-up is provided through the home medical equipment company, including unlimited telephone contact with the therapist and regularly scheduled follow-ups. The patient’s equipment is thoroughly checked and any questions or concerns are addressed to promote compliance.

What type of measures are taken during a sleep test?

In order to determine the cause of your sleep disorder, the staff at Southwest Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Laboratory use state-of-the-art equipment to record the information that will provide the clues needed to help provide you with a restful sleep each night.

Among the data we will record during your comprehensive sleep study are:

  • Brain-wave activity (EEG)
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  • Respiratory efforts
  • Chin Movements
  • Eye movements
  • Oxygen levels
  • Leg Activity
  • Snoring

What type of sleep disorders exist?

Click on the following disorders to find out more about sleep disorders which may be affecting your life.

Click here for resources and education related to sleep disorders.

Take this short sleep test to figure out if you may have a sleep disorder.