PRESCRIPTION FOR GOOD REST SLEEP CLINIC TECHNICIANS CHECK ON SLEEP APNEA PATIENTS WHILE.Byline: Brent Hopkins Staff Writer STUDIO CITY - As a man snores peacefully in a soft hotel bed, a team of technicians tracks a killer. Armed with infrared cameras and sensitive electronic devices, camped out in a plush room, they observe on computers and a dim television screen. They note any noise and record changes for later data analysis. All through the night, they watch and wait. They're not detectives; they're medical technicians. They're not spying, they've been paid handsomely to check up on the folks sacked out on the bed. The killer is sleep apnea sleep apnea, episodes of interrupted breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is a common disorder in which relaxation of muscles in the throat repeatedly close off the airway during sleep; the person wakes just enough to take a gasping breath. , a disorder that cuts off oxygen during slumber and contributes to hypertension, strokes and heart attacks. ``It's a great business to be in because you're helping people who don't even know they need help,'' said David Pisarra, president of Gateway SleepLabs. Sleep treatment centers are nothing new, but Gateway has an unusual twist. Rather than setting up in a hospital or clinical setting, the company has three rooms regularly booked at the Sportsmen's Lodge The Sportsmen's Lodge in the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, California is something of a kitsch landmark but remains a popular spot for celebrations, dinners and public events. Hotel, pampering clients before they get hooked up to diagnostic equipment and oxygen masks. In less than two years in business, Pisarra has made back his initial $100,000 investment and has switched into expansion mode. Within six months, he expects to open a second facility in Santa Clarita, then hopes to add six more high-end clinics in the next three years. The more relaxing settings don't come cheaply - a two-session test with both diagnosis and treatment with an oxygen mask costs $3,000. Most insurance plans cover the visits, but patients can also pay out of pocket. Pisarra, who trained as a lawyer, has entered into a growing field, aiming to take the diagnosis out of clinical settings and into more plush places. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is a United States professional society for the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. It was established in 1975. Its membership consists of physicians, researchers and other health care professionals who specialize in the study, says 4 percent of men and 2 percent of women suffer from sleep apnea, with a growing number seeking treatment for their snoring snoring, rough, vibratory sounds made in breathing during sleep or coma. The noisy breathing is the result of an open mouth and a relaxation of the palate; it is frequently induced by lying on one's back. , gasping and fitful fit·ful adj. Occurring in or characterized by intermittent bursts, as of activity; irregular. See Synonyms at periodic. fit nights. ``Sleep is such a hot field right now, a lot of centers are quickly opening up,'' said Kathleen McCann, communications manager for the AASM AASM American Academy of Sleep Medicine (formerly the American Sleep Disorders Association) AASM African American Shopping Mall AASM Australian Active Service Medal AASM Associated African States and Madagascar . ``The trend right now: opening in spas and other nontraditional places. It's a way to attract patients. It's fine as long as they adhere to our accreditation standards and are legitimate and decent facilities.'' The group accredits 915 facilities nationwide and 48 in California. Unlike a hospital, Gateway outsources its test results for analysis to a center in Michigan and Pisarra hopes to one day contract out to India. While McCann said that isn't necessarily cause for concern, AASM recommends that seriously ill patients be treated in medical centers in case emergencies arise. Pisarra said Gateway plans to eventually apply for AASM's voluntary accreditation once its growth phase ends. He also noted that the clinic is near a Los Angeles Fire Department The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), also known as the Los Angeles City Fire Department to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles. station, allowing quick access to paramedics in emergency situations. It also has physicians on staff to field questions and work with patients' primary care doctors. While Dr. Frisca Yan Go, medical director of the UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX Sleep Disorder Sleep disorder Any condition that interferes with sleep. At least 84 have been identified, according to the American Sleep Disorders Association. Mentioned in: Insomnia, Night Terrors Center, said accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. facilities are the best, the hotel setting is fine so long as the tests are properly administered. She stressed the need for a quiet, calm environment to conduct the diagnostics. ``You have to fulfill your sleep in quality and quantity,'' she said. ``Sleep apnea affects the quality. Sometimes people don't even realize they're sleepy, they just fall asleep and have an accident.'' It hasn't gotten to that point for Mark Morris, an announcer for KKGO-AM (1260), who sought treatment at the clinic Tuesday evening. After a friend developed a sleep apnea-related heart condition, he decided to check in to see if his snoring was affecting his health. ``I guess I've had this for the past 20 years,'' he said. ``It doesn't bother me, but I've had family complain. It'd be nice to get a deeper, more restful rest·ful adj. 1. Affording, marked by, or suggesting rest; tranquil. See Synonyms at comfortable. 2. Being at rest; quiet. rest sleep.'' Brent Hopkins, (818) 713-3738 brent.hopkins(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) David Pisarra, right, president of Gateway SleepLabs, works with technician Mike Lee, left, and director of operations Kimberly Macedo at the Sportsmen's Lodge in Studio City, where his company is conducting sleep studies on clients with sleep apnea. (2 -- color) Davis Pisarra says it's important that the clients his company studies for sleep apnea be pampered pam·per tr.v. pam·pered, pam·per·ing, pam·pers 1. To treat with excessive indulgence: pampered their child. 2. , not thrust into a hospital setting, so they stay in one of the rooms at the Sportmen's Lodge. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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