A good night’s rest is tougher to come by than many people think, says the owner of a new business aiding the sleep-deprived.
Joel Clarke says people who don’t average seven to nine hours suffer a full range of symptoms, from exhaustion and brain fog to diabetes and heart attack.
“People get used to feeling tired and it has a big impact on their lives,” said the 30-year-old sleep consultant and registered polysomnographic (sleep) technologist.
“That’s why I started Restwell Inc. I want to help people in our community.”
Clarke was born and raised in Sarnia, graduated from St. Clair Secondary, and studied to become a cardiovascular technician at Mohawk College.
Along the way he became fascinated by the field of sleep, especially when he learned one in five people have sleep apnea.
“I was just amazed at how underplayed sleep apnea is,” he said. “People don’t know a lot about it.”
Sleep apnea is a medical condition characterized by repeated pauses of breath while sleeping. Breathing interruptions decrease oxygen levels, increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
It also leaves people feeling never fully rested, which can lead to irritability, poor focus, car accidents and other problems.
Clarke opened Restwell in February at 481 London Rd., a diagnostic clinic near the hospital.
His primary service is providing at-home sleep apnea test kits that patients use while sleeping in their own beds. He analyzes the data and sends it a certified sleep physician in Sarnia who interprets it.
Patients can learn in a week or two if they suffer from sleep apnea without attending an overnight sleep clinic.
“It’s much faster and easier,” said Clarke. The kit uses disposable belts, a finger probe and nasal cannula to measure breathing and oxygen levels. Only the small, hard plastic monitoring unit is reused after sanitation.
Patients pay $180 for the kit, analysis and recommendations for any treatment.
Sleep clinics that require patients to spend the night are covered by OHIP, while at-home sleep apnea tests are not. Clarke is hopeful Ontario will follow the lead of B.C., Alberta and Quebec and approve OHIP coverage for his services.
“Meanwhile, I felt I had to risk starting my company now so that the foundation work is done and I’m ready to go when (OHIP coverage) comes.”
Even without government coverage, Clarke is providing kits to about one patient per night and generating enough income to keep the business afloat.
The pandemic has made communicating with doctors more difficult, but Clarke said he’s made inroads with local GPs, cardiologists, sleep physicians, and even dentists who refer patients to him.
Clarke also offers better sleep consultations for all ages, including infants. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is available as well.
For more, visit www.restwellsarnia.ca or call 226-776-8891.
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