Dr. Thomas Higgins

Thomas Higgins, M.D.
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Thomas Higgins, M.D., Medical Director of the Fort Sanders Regional Sleep Disorders Center says many people find answers to their sleep problems after undergoing a "sleep study" at an accredited Sleep Center with a board certified sleep specialist.

"A comprehensive sleep evaluation includes your complete medical and sleep history, a physical exam, and monitoring during sleep," says Dr. Higgins.

Understandably, said Dr. Thomas Higgins, medical director of Fort Sanders Regional Sleep Disorders Center, "not many people wanted to have that done."
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"The problem, of course, is that a lot of people have difficulty losing weight," Higgins said.
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However, Higgins said, "these aren't the types of surgery you'd want to do on everyone."
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"I remember back several years ago trying to explain what nasal CPAP was and how it might help someone with sleep apnea," Higgins said."It was a strange concept.The other day, I was talking to a woman, and she said, 'Yeah, that mask - everybody has one.' "

Doctors agree the CPAP can make a tremendous amount of difference, stabilizing a patient's oxygen level and heart rate and providing more quality, uninterrupted sleep - crucial for good health.

"Certainly, it's really the treatment of choice," Higgins said."It's simple, noninvasive and extremely effective.
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Higgins said many of his patients tell him: "I can't believe how tired I was.I wish I'd done this years ago."

"Not only can (treating sleep apnea) prolong someone's life, it can improve their quality of life," he said.

Fort Sanders Sleep Center co-medical director Thomas Higgins, MD, says having a sleep problem successfully treated can change your life.