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Sleep Lab

Diagnosis & Treatment for Sleep Disorders

San Luis Valley Health offers an on-site sleep lab to conduct studies called Polysomnography (PSG) to identify sleep disorders in a controlled environment. These studies are conducted overnight in a private room within the hospital in which vital signs are monitored and recorded to track respiratory abnormalities.

Sleep Apnea

Apnea is a serious disorder in which a person’s breathing stops during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times, for seconds to a minute or so.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates that 12 million to 18 million people in the U.S. have moderate to severe apnea which has been linked to a greater risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and excessive daytime sleepiness. Men, overweight people, and people over 40 are at greater risk for sleep apnea.

The San Luis Valley Health Sleep Lab can perform three types of studies:

  • Polysomnogram. A polysomnogram is performed to diagnose the patient’s condition. No CPAP/BIPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) device is used during the study, except in highly unusual situations and if this occurs the patient will be moved to the next study level at that time.

  • Split Night. In this study the patient may be put on a CPAP/BIPAP device if they meet the requirements. During the first half of the night, the patient’s sleep is checked to determine whether he or she has sleep apnea. During the second half of the night, the patient may use a CPAP machine. The technician will adjust the setting on the machine so the flow of air is just right for the patient.

  • CPAP/BIPAP titration. For this study the patient must have already been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, as evidenced by having had a previous sleep study. The patient is fitted with a mask or nasal pillows, placed on the CPAP/BIPAP from the beginning of the study and titrated to an optimum pressure to eliminate apneas and help provide the patient with the best sleep possible. Also, patients that are already using a unit can be scheduled for a titration to fine-tune their unit to meet their needs.

All studies are interpreted by a physician certified in sleep medicine diagnosis and treatment.

For more information about scheduling a sleep study test at San Luis Valley Health, call (719) 587-6284. Services are available at Conejos County Hospital and RMC Clinic.