Our
Range of Care
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Commitment To Excellence
A National Sleep Problem
Sleep Is a Basic Human Need
Sleep Diagnostics of America
recognizes problems in sleep
How does Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (CPAP) therapy work?
The Sleep Diagnostics of America
Difference
Why Choose Sleep Diagnostics of
America?
Helpful Links
Sleep Diagnostics of America Privacy
Practices
Our Range of Care
Sleep
Diagnostics of America was established in Houston, Texas
to provide our patients with superior sleep services.
Most
clients are referred to the program for symptoms of
excessive daytime sleepiness, or snoring, such as is
common in the condition called "Obstructive Sleep
Apnea". However, there are over eighty distinct
sleep disorder categories which have been defined, most
of which can now be successfully treated. In addition
to Obstructive Sleep Apnea, other sleep disorders include
Narcolepsy, Restless Leg Syndrome, periodic limb movements
(leg cramps) and Parasomnias.
Patients
are referred to us by their physician. The physician
might refer the patient to the sleep disorders clinic
or to a specialist. These specialists include selected
pulmonologists, ENT physicians, internal medicine physicians,
psychologists, and neurologists. If a sleep study is
needed after consultation with your physician or a specialist,
a request is forwarded to the sleep disorders clinic
at Sleep Diagnostics of America. Your sleep study will
require an overnight stay in our facility. The overnight
study begins at approximately 9 p.m. on the evening
of the test and will end the next morning. You are provided
with a private "hotel-like" bedroom, which
will be condusive to a comfortable sleep experience
at Sleep Diagnostics of America. Your comfort and positive
experience are important to us!
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Our
Mission
The
mission of Sleep Diagnostics of America is to continue
to be the front-runner in the field of sleep medicine
and other related healthcare disciplines. We strive
to give both the consumer and medical professional accurate
information in a timely manner. Our advanced technologies
will set us apart from other facilities. OUR GOAL IS
TO PROVIDE SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHY SLEEP!
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Our
Vision
Sleep
Diagnostics of America will create a network of progressive
sleep disorder centers, utilizing the latest technology
available and the latest standards of care within the
field of sleep medicine.
We
continue to obtain global recognition in the field of
sleep medicine by obtaining the highest levels of accreditation
and by becoming the medical communities preferred provider
of sleep services through our dedication to sleep disease
management and superior technology.
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Our
Commitment To Excellence
The
requirements of Sleep Diagnostics of America is to ensure
that the center is able to deal professionally with
the full range of sleep disorders. Here are the primary
Sleep Diagnostics of America requirements:
•
It must have a full-time Medical Director with expertise
in sleep medicine.
•
All testing will be overseen by a registered polysomnographer
(sleep technologist).
•
A private room must be provided for each patient, with
sound, light, and temperature control and easy communication
with the technologist.
•
The facilities, testing procedures, and patient care
must meet standards set by Sleep Diagnostics of America.
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A
National Sleep Problem
Sleep
problems have become a modern epidemic that is taking
a catastrophic toll on our bodies and our minds. According
to a Gallup Poll conducted for the National Sleep Foundation,
one out of every two people suffers from sleeplessness
at some point in their lives, many of them chronically.
It's estimated that 30-40 million Americans suffer from
serious sleep disorders that undermine their sleep quality
and their health. For the victims of disordered sleep,
the night is a source of anguish, not rest.
For
millions more, the body's need to sleep is treated as
a waste of time. In our 24-hour society, we steal nighttime
hours for daytime activities, cheating ourselves of
precious sleep. In the past century, we have reduced
our average time asleep by 20 percent and, in the past
25 years, added a month to our average annual work/commute
time. Our national sleep debt is on the rise. Our society
has changed, but our bodies have not, and we are paying
the price.
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Sleep
Is a Basic Human Need
Sleep
is a natural part of everybody's life, but many people
know very little about how important it is, and some
even try to get by with little sleep.Sleep is something
our bodies need to do; it is not an option. Even though
the exact reasons for sleep remain a mystery, we do
know that during sleep many of the body's major organ
and regulatory systems continue to work actively. Some
parts of the brain actually increase their activity
dramatically, and the body produces more of certain
hormones.
Sleep,
like diet and exercise, is important for our minds and
bodies to function normally. In fact, sleep appears
to be required for survival. Rats deprived of sleep
die within two to three weeks, a time frame similar
to death due to starvation.
An
internal biological clock regulates the timing for sleep.
It programs each person to feel sleepy during the nighttime
hours and to be active during the daylight hours. Light
is the cue that synchronizes the biological clock to
the 24-hour cycle of day and night.
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Sleep
Diagnostics of America recognizes problems in sleep
Sleepiness
due to chronic lack of adequate sleep is a big problem
in the United States and affects many children as well
as adults. Children and even adolescents need at least
9 hours of sleep each night to do their best. Most adults
need approximately 8 hours of sleep each night.
When
we get less sleep (even one hour less) than we need
each night, we develop a "sleep debt." If
the sleep debt becomes too great, it can lead to problem
sleepiness. Sleepiness that occurs when you should be
awake and alert, that interferes with daily routine
and activities, and reduces your ability to function.
Even if you do not feel sleepy, the sleep debt can have
a powerful negative effect on your daytime performance,
thinking, and mood, and cause you to fall asleep at
inappropriate and even dangerous times.
Problem
sleepiness has serious consequences. It puts adolescents
and adults at risk for drowsy driving or workplace accidents.
In children, it increases the risk of accidents and
injuries. In addition, lack of sleep can have a negative
effect on children's performance in school, on the playground,
in extracurricular activities, and in social relationships.
Inadequate
sleep can cause decreases in:
•
Performance
•
Concentration
•
Reaction Times
•
Consolidation of Information Learning
Inadequate
sleep can cause increases in:
•
Memory Lapses
•
Accidents and Injuries
•
Behavior Problems
•
Mood Problems
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How
does Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy
work?
In
the last decade and a half, continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) machines have been the most effective
way of treating obstructive sleep apnea. To use the
machine, a small comfortable mask is fitted over the
nose leaving the mouth uncovered. Patients must sleep
with their mouths closed, aided by a chinstrap, while
the machine gently blows air into the nose at a pressure
slightly higher than the surrounding air pressure.
Literally
within minutes of achieving the correct CPAP pressure
to maintain an open airway, patients with obstructive
sleep apnea start sleeping like people who have gone
without sleep for many days. For the first week or so
after starting to use the machine, patients will spend
a great deal of time in deep sleep. Patients often report
that there is a dramatic increase of daytime alertness
and energy in just a few nights on CPAP.
Nasal
CPAP is now a very well established and safe treatment.
Most insurance companies will cover the cost of a machine.
Today, thousands of CPAP users are now happy after experiencing
a dramatic positive improvement in their daytime alertness
and energy level.
Sleep
Diagnostics of America’s healthcare professionals
provide a unique service by spending quality education
time setting you up with your CPAP device. We will work
with you to help you determine what equipment is best
suited for your particular needs. We have found that
a thorough in-service is required in order for you to
have all of your questions answered, to teach you how
the device operates, and to explain what we do to enable
you to become compliant with your treatment process.
Sleep Diagnostics of America’s team of professionals
will help you make the best decision possible.
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The
Sleep Diagnostics of America Difference
Most
of the individuals admitted to our Sleep Medicine Program
have had progressive debilitating symptoms for months
and years and have endured frequent healthcare problems.
We offer them an organized, interdisciplinary system
of treatment that eventually leads to a better understanding
of their sleep disturbances and puts them more in control
of their lives.
After
completing the sleep testing, most patients will have
a better understanding of their sleep disorders and
should be able to live longer with a better quality
of life.
Clients
diagnosed with possible sleep disorders are referred
to the Sleep Diagnostics of America program. Upon arrival,
the patient undergoes comprehensive evaluation by our
team to determine their individual needs. Our medical
staff will develop a program designed to improve their
quality of sleep.
The
Sleep Medicine Program at Sleep Diagnostics of America
uses techniques of intensive medical studies and individualized
programs. Specific techniques have been developed to
increase each client's quality of sleep.
We
define our program, as an art of medical practice that
is individually tailored to meet each of our patients
needs. The program is formulated through accurate diagnosis,
therapy, emotional support, and education. The staff's
main concern is to return each patient to their highest
possible healthcare outcomes.
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Why
Choose Sleep Diagnostics of America?
Sleep
Diagnostics of America represents several different
medical disciplines that have combined their efforts
to form a comprehensive sleep disorder program. Our
goal is to supply the healthcare community one source
to meet all their sleep disorder related needs.
We
will continually strive to meet all of your healthcare
needs by setting the standards through clinical excellence.
The healthcare community trusts Sleep Diagnostics of
America to deliver the best sleep services available.
If you believe you or someone you love might have a
sleep disorder, contact us by phone at 281-218-6990
or email at info@healthysleep4u.com.
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Helpful
Links
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Sleep
Diagnostics of America Privacy Practices
Disclaimer:
The information contained above, and within this web
site, is intended for general reference and educational
purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional
medical advice, a medical exam or diagnostic testing.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified
health professional before starting any new treatment.
Medical information changes rapidly and while Sleep
Diagnostics of America and its content providers make
efforts to update the content on the site, we are not
responsible for any errors or omissions in the material
provided or any results obtained from the use of such
material. Health information on the Sleep Diagnostics
of America web site should not be used to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision
of a medical doctor.
All
content, including artwork, is the property of Sleep
Diagnostics of America. Permission to copy any part
of this web site should be obtained from Sleep Diagnostics
of America directly at 409-935-4664.
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