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Our sleep clinic is designed to be warm and soothing so you can feel comfortable and get the most out of your sleep study.


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Before Your Sleep Study Appointment

So you're exhausted and maybe a little irritable, you know you're not sleeping well and your work and home life are suffering. You've taken the first step by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Ashwin Gowda or another healthcare provider, but there are a few things you should do before you meet with your sleep doctor.

In order to get the most out of your time with Dr. Gowda, be prepared to discuss your medications, medical history, daily routines, and any symptoms you are experiencing. Start by making a list of any prescription drugs, vitamins, and supplements you currently take. Include in your list the dosage, frequency, and reasons you take them. It is also helpful to explain any side effects you have experienced from your current or previous medications to Ashwin Gowda. Make a note of any medical conditions you have and how long you have known about them. Write down your typical daily schedule such as waking up, eating breakfast, going to work, cooking dinner, watching TV, then going to bed. Finally, make a list of the symptoms you are experiencing and how they are affecting your life.

The information you provide may indicate a possible diagnosis and its causes. A good way to get a better understanding of your sleep problems is to keep a diary of your daily sleep patterns. Your sleep journal documents a record of your sleep, fatigue levels throughout the day, and any other symptoms you might be having. Keep a log of your daily routines and sleep patterns for 7-14 days to share with Ashwin Gowda or other healthcare provider.

When you wake up in the morning, write down your answers to these questions:

  1. What time did you go to bed last night?
    • Was it later or earlier than normal?
  2. How long did it take you to fall asleep?
    • Did you toss and turn or go straight to sleep?
  3. How many times did you wake during the night?
    • Why did you wake up?
    • Bathroom, thirst, noise, pain, no apparent reason, etc.
  4. What time did you wake up in the morning?
    • Was it later or earlier than normal?
  5. Did you feel groggy or lethargic?

Before going to sleep in the evening, write down your answers to these questions:

  1. Did you feel drowsy during the day?
    • What times?
    • What were you doing when you felt drowsy?
    • Reading, sitting in a meeting, driving, shopping, watching television, etc.
  2. 2) Did you take any naps during the day?
    • What time did you take a nap and for how long?
  3. What time of the day did you feel most alert?
    • Late morning, early evening, etc.
    • What were you doing?
  4. Have you exercised today?
    • What time and how long?
  5. Did you experience any major stressors today?
    • Traffic accident, overdue bills, arguments, etc.
  6. What did you eat or drink this afternoon?
  7. Any additional comments you feel contributed to your day.

When you meet with Ashwin Gowda, MD, you can go over your sleep journal in greater detail. He will be able to recognize any obvious factors contributing to your sleep trouble and recommend a treatment plan. You may need to schedule a sleep study at Texas Sleep Medicine in Austin for a more thorough examination of your sleeping patterns. This requires an overnight stay at Dr. Gowda's sleep clinic. The study rooms at Ashwin Gowda's clinic are designed to be private and very comfortable. In fact, the rooms make patients feel like they are in a luxury hotel rather than a doctor's office. Remember, you are your best advocate, so keep a list of questions and concerns and bring them to your appointment along with your journal.