Sleep expert a valuable addition to Northern Arizona VA

In 2016, sleep expert Troy Sebastian was asked by the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation in Eastern Arizona if he would be interested in opening a sleep center for its Native American population.

He felt honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to assist an underserved community, so he gladly accepted.

Six months after opening in 2017, the center became the first accredited sleep center by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to be located on a Self-Determination Native American Reservation, setting a national precedent for sleep health care in Native American communities.

"I'm very proud to have advanced the quality of sleep medicine for a community that really needed it. Our Native American populations remain significantly underserved in health care," Sebastian said. "Many Native Americans face high rates of comorbidities, which can be influenced by various factors, including social and environmental challenges. These issues contribute to a lower life expectancy compared to other populations."

Sebastian served in the Navy, where he gained valuable experience as a combat corpsman for the Marine Corps.

25 years of experience

After transitioning out of the military, Sebastian discovered a passion for sleep medicine and has since accrued more than 25 years of experience helping patients overcome their sleep ailments.

He now serves as a sleep technologist at Northern Arizona VA's Home Sleep Apnea Clinic in Prescott.

"Veterans come to me saying they're sick and tired of being sick and tired, and I'm fortunately able to drastically improve their quality of life by helping them sleep better. It's an honor of mine to serve my fellow Veterans," he said.

Northern Arizona VA's Home Sleep Apnea Clinic focuses on identifying symptoms of sleep apnea and then prescribing a treatment plan that meets each patient's needs.

Signs of sleep apnea include daytime sleepiness, loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep. When a Veteran reports these symptoms to their provider, a sleep consult can be requested. If criteria are met, a home sleep apnea test is offered.

Home testing offers a more accurate view of normal sleep patterns because subjects can sleep in their own bed and environment. A sleep physician reviews the results and recommends further care. Untreated sleep apnea can lead to heart disease and stroke and has been linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Treatment options for sleep apnea include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a device that is sometimes used for mild to moderate sleep apnea, and Inspire Sleep, which is often used for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

CPAP technology has come a long way

"CPAP is still the golden standard of treatment for sleep apnea," Sebadtian added. "CPAP technology has also come a long way over the years, so those who have tried it in the past and had trouble adjusting to it might find the newer models more tolerable."

Sebastian is a founding board member of the Arizona Sleep Society and has played a pivotal role in advancing the field of sleep medicine throughout the southwest. His contributions include training numerous respiratory therapists to achieve certification as polysomnographic sleep technologists, opening dozens of sleep disorder centers across the region and teaching polysomnography at Gateway Community College.

Prior to joining Northern Arizona VA, Sebastian worked with New England VA collaborating with Harvard-trained sleep physicians. His extensive experience and dedication to advancing sleep medicine make him a valuable addition to Northern Arizona VA.

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