Sleep Services

If your doctor suspects that you have a sleep disorder he may order a sleep study at our state of the art facility. We provide private, comfortable bedrooms designed to help our patients feel at home. During a sleep study special diagnostic technology is used to record sleep patterns, breathing, muscle activity, heart rate, oxygen levels, and more.

Preparing for your Sleep Study

Before arriving for your sleep test, you will want to pack a small bag consisting of something comfortable to sleep in, a change of clothing, and anything else you feel necessary for an overnight stay (such as books, mp3 player, caffeine free snacks or beverages, toiletries, or a specific pillow).

If you have special needs, please advise us in advance so we can accommodate you. It is important for us to know if you are taking any prescribed or over-the counter medication, since certain medications can affect sleep and the interpretation of a sleep study. Do not discontinue any medication without first talking to your health care professional.

On the day of your sleep study, you may eat a normal diet. Please avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate, etc.) after 12:00 p.m. and try not to nap. Before coming to our sleep center, you should shower and shave and please do not apply hair spray or gel. This will help in the set-up of equipment.

Why Your Physician Orders a Sleep Study

So why would your physician order a sleep study? Most people occasionally have trouble sleeping, but getting a good night’s sleep is essential for feeling recharged and alert through the day. Being deprived of sleep might make you feel as if you are in a fog and unable to concentrate, or just not quite yourself. Left unattended, ongoing sleep problems can eventually disturb your work, family and relationships.

It has been estimated that as many as 120 million Americans suffer from some type of sleep disorder. These can include sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, insomnia or simple sleep deprivation. Most people are unaware that they have a sleep disorder, yet they experience many of the symptoms.

How do you tell if your problem sleeping is an isolated occurrence or if it is related to a chronic sleep problem or disorder? Particular behaviors are telltale signs of sleep deprivation. For example, if you are sleepy or irritable during the day, have difficulty staying awake during your normal activities, find it difficult to concentrate, feel like taking a nap most days, or feel tired or fall asleep while driving, you might be experiencing an ongoing problem or sleep disorder.

Fortunately, there are many treatment options available. The best place to start is by discussing your sleep problems with your personal physician, or if you are seeing a specialist about a specific medical problem, talk with them about symptoms you might be experiencing. Each day we work with medical professionals in a wide range of medical specialties including family practice, internal medicine, neurology, ear nose and throat, ophthalmology, and more. And sleep problems are not age specific; we have patients of all ages including patients referred by pediatric and geriatric medical practices.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to achieve long term health. If you have more questions, please call us at 1-800-892-9994 or locally at 318-222-0885 in Shreveport or in Austin call 512-901-1808.