Sleep Center
Sleep disorders may occur in people with cancer caused by treatment, physical illness, pain, hospitalization and emotional stress. In fact, 80% of patients with cancer complain of poor sleep, and are less likely to tolerate cancer therapies.
MD Anderson was the first comprehensive cancer center in the United States with a dedicated sleep center, which includes the multidisciplinary Sleep Clinic and Sleep Lab.
MD Anderson's Sleep Center helps manage the effects of cancer and cancer treatment for patients with a variety of sleep disorders, including:
- Insomnia
- Disorders of the sleep-wake cycle
- Disorders associated with sleep stages or partial waking
- Excessive sleepiness
- Sleep-disordered breathing
- Sleep-related movement disorders
Referrals
The Sleep Center accepts referrals from MD Anderson patients or their oncologists. Please call 713-792-4017 for a sleep consult.
Consults are performed at two locations:
- Mays Clinic, floor 6, near Elevator U
- Main Building, floor 6, near Elevator C (Cardiopulmonary Center/Sleep Clinic)
Sleep Center Staff
- Diwakar Balachandran, M.D., DABSM, Medical Director
- Lara Bashoura, M.D., DABSM
- Saadia Faiz, M.D.
- Brenda Aaron-Remmert, BS, RPSGT, Sleep Lab Coordinator
- Stephen Mahoney, BS, RPSGT, Senior Polysomnographic Technologist
- G. Nancy Pacheco, RPSGT, Polysomnographic Technologist
MD Anderson Resources
Sleep Diary - please complete prior to your appointment with the Sleep Specialist
Driving while Sleepy
Sleep Disorder Symptoms
If you have any of the following sleep issues, the Sleep Center can help.
- Have problems falling or staying asleep
- Sleep restlessly
- Snore loudly
- Awaken gasping or choking for breath
- Feel tired upon awakening in the morning
- Fall asleep while driving
- Sleep that is disturbed by unusual behaviors such as nightmares, sleepwalking, tongue-biting, kicking or eating