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The University of New Mexico Health System

Sleep Disorders Center


When you or your loved ones, whether an adult or a child, has trouble sleeping, count on UNM Health System’s Sleep Disorders Centers with locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho to help you rest easier. Our experts, along with a state-of-the-art outpatient sleep laboratory, an inpatient sleep laboratory and a sleep medicine clinic, have been helping New Mexicans to feel rested since 1983.

Expert care

Depending on your diagnosis, your care team – whether at UNM Hospital or at UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center – collaborates with experts in many specialties, including:

Nationally accredited

Our sleep centers are accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which means our policies, procedures, patient safety, testing and other standards have undergone rigorous review.

Meet our Providers

Prepare for your appointment

Fill out a Sleep History Questionnaire [PDF] before your first appointment, and bring it with you. If you arrive without the completed sleep history, you may be asked to reschedule your consultation.

Ask your primary care provider for a referral. Our staff will be happy to assist you with questions on your insurance coverage.

Schedule an appointment: (505) 272-4866

Contact Us

UNM Hospitals Sleep Disorders Center
1101 Medical Arts Ave. NE
Building 2
Albuquerque, NM, 87102
Phone: 505-272-1774

UNM SRMC Sleep Disorders Center
3001 Broadmoor Blvd. NE
Rio Rancho, NM 87144
Phone: 505-272-1774

Types of Sleep Disorders

Patients with sleep disorders can have difficulties with falling asleep, staying asleep at night or problems staying awake in the daytime. Effective treatment for most sleep disorders depends on a thorough evaluation, accurate diagnosis and the latest therapies.

There are more than 100 sleep disorder diagnoses. You don’t have to live with a lack of energy or with feeling tired all the time. Check with your provider for a referral to our nationally accredited sleep center. 

Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Many people who snore have a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA results from the breathing passage in the back of the throat falling shut during sleep, causing repeated episodes of struggling for breath. Most people with sleep apnea snore loudly but are otherwise not aware of any sleep or breathing problem. Family members however, may observe the person struggling to breathe or stop breathing during sleep. Sleep apnea is also a major cause of daytime sleepiness.

Sleep Walking

Sleep walking, sleep talking, nightmares, night terrors, teeth grinding, rocking, groaning, bedwetting and other undesirable behaviors during sleep are called parasomnias. Some are relatively harmless, while others may be symptoms of serious medical conditions, disrupt sleep or put the patient into dangerous situations. Sleep apnea or restless legs may trigger parasomnias.

Circadian Rhythm Disorders

These disruptions of the body's internal clock are most common in individuals doing shiftwork or after multi-time zone air travel, and can cause both sleepiness and insomnia at inappropriate times. Adolescents and young adults often suffer from a circadian rhythm disorder called delayed sleep phase syndrome, which causes them to have difficulty falling asleep at a normal time at night and difficulty awakening in time for school or work in the morning. Circadian rhythm disorders can respond to bright light therapy and behavior modification.

Insomnia

Some patients have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or wake up early in the morning not feeling refreshed. If chronic, insomnia may be an indication of a significant condition such as depression, anxiety or breathing problems. Many insomniac conditions can be treated with behavior modification techniques.

Narcolepsy

This condition causes profound sleepiness punctuated by sleep attacks, episodes of muscle weakness, vivid dreams and automatic behavior. This is caused by an abnormality in the way the brain controls wakefulness and sleep and is treated by a variety of medications.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is an uncontrollable urge to move your legs due to discomfort that may take many different forms: aching, burning, itching tingling, etc. Usually this happens at night and interferes with falling asleep. RLS may be associated with diabetes, low iron levels, pregnancy and certain medications, but may also be an inherited condition.

A variety of medications are available for treatment; discontinuing certain medications as well as avoiding caffeine or alcohol near to bedtime are often recommended. A comprehensive treatment approach will be discussed during your consultation visit. RLS is often associated with periodic limb movement of sleep, a disorder that occurs during sleep as opposed to RLS, which occurs during wakefulness.

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