Health
UKIAH, Calif. – Local pulmonologist Daniel Loube, M.D. is now offering the AccuSom Home Sleep Test so that Mendocino and surrounding county residents can test for uncomplicated obstructive sleep apnea in the comfort of home.
Sleep apnea is one of the most serious and under-diagnosed conditions in the U.S. today.
At home sleep testing provides a clinically equivalent, convenient diagnosis for residents who are unable to spend one or more nights away from home for a traditional sleep center test.
When asked what this at home sleep study can do for the community, Dr. Loube said, “I have been caring for patients with sleep apnea and its related conditions for many years, and have seen firsthand the difference treating sleep apnea can make in a person’s health and quality of life. The first step is to get diagnosed. Our hope in offering this accurate, convenient testing option is that we’ll be able to identify this dangerous disease in more residents in our surrounding counties and get them on the path to treatment.”
Commonly associated with snoring, sleep apnea is, in fact, a dangerous condition that causes the airway to collapse and the patient to stop breathing multiple times during the night.
It has been closely linked to a number of serious conditions, like diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, weight management issues and even cancer, making diagnosis and treatment essential.
Research suggests that within days of beginning sleep apnea treatment, overall health begins to drastically improve – the risk of heart attack and stroke decreases, insulin sensitivity improves, and patients experience increased energy.
Unfortunately millions of Americans remain undiagnosed because they are unable to spend the night away from home for a traditional sleep test at a sleep center.
Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center is now providing the latest in home sleep testing technology with the AccuSom Home Sleep Test by NovaSom, the leader in home sleep diagnostics for over a decade.
Dr. Loube will screen patients for sleep apnea risk and order the AccuSom as needed.
Patients receive the portable device and instruction on how to hook up three small breath, chest and finger sensors.
Over the course of the night, the sensors directly measure the parameters needed to diagnose sleep apnea.
Research has shown the technology is clinically equivalent to sleep apnea testing performed in a sleep center.
NovaSom's U.S. based sleep technicians are available toll-free, 24/7 for patient support while testing.
“When testing is complete, the patient’s test results are transmitted wirelessly from the AccuSom device over the secure Verizon Wireless cellular network to NovaSom where I will then be able to provide a quick interpretation and diagnosis. I will then follow-up with the patient and match those with sleep apnea with a treatment option that meets their needs,” said Dr. Loube.
For more information about sleep apnea and the new home testing option, please contact Dr. Loube at the Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center at 707-463-7490.
Dr. Loube’s office is located at 260 Hospital Drive, Suite 103 in Ukiah.
Dr. Loube also will be presenting a “Dessert with a Doc” seminar titled, “Breathe Easy Live Better,” at UVMC on Thursday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. RSVP at 707-467-5270.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) reminds constituents today that there is still time to sign up for a new health insurance plan, or shop around for a different plan if your current one does not meet your health care needs.
Open enrollment goes through March 31.
“There is just over a month left to get signed up for health insurance,” said Thompson. “If you want coverage for the first time, or want to shop around for a better plan at a better price you have until the end of March to do so. Make sure to take advantage of this time to find a plan that’s right for you and your family.”
If people are changing their plans, they need to make sure there is not a lapse in coverage. If you enroll in a new plan between today and March 15 that plan will not take effect until April 1.
If you enroll between March 16 and March 31, that plan will not take effect until May 1.
Constituents should contact their current insurance provider and Covered California to ensure that there is not lapse in coverage.
Under the new law, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans; more than 100 million Americans have received free preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies; children can no longer be denied insurance because they have a pre-existing condition; seniors are saving money on prescription drugs; insurance companies can no longer drop a woman’s coverage because she becomes pregnant, or kick people off of their insurance plan if they become sick; and. women can no longer be charged substantially higher premiums than men for the same coverage.
To shop around for new plans and to compare costs and coverage, visit Covered California’s Web site, http://www.coveredca.com/ .
So far, nearly 830,000 people in our state have signed up for health insurance through Covered California. Financial assistance may be available for those who qualify.
Thompson represents California’s 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties.
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