Something to sleep on ...
Area business aims to help the sleep-deprived
BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer
Once Priti Pandya-Patel, founder of the Iselinbased International Sleep Network LLC (ISN), became immersed in the many facets of sleep, she realized it was an eye-opener.

ERIC SUCAR staff The CEO and founder of The international Sleep Network, Priti Pandya-Patel, works in the laboratory of her Old Bridge location on Feb. 26. Below: Pandya-Patel sits in one of the observation rooms.

"Sleep is such an interesting, diversified subject," Pandya-Patel said. "ISN is an advocate for sleep awareness via wellness fairs and providing educational materials and spreading sleep awareness."

In 2005, Pandya-Patel, 39, of Old Bridge, who is the wife of Kal Patel and mother to Jenna, 11, and Neil, 9, co-founded ISN with her partner, Rajesh Grover.

She said she was drawn to the business by her passion for people and her commitment to helping them lead healthy lives.

This year, ISN is participating in the annual National Sleep Awareness Week (NSAW), sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation, which takes place March 1-8. NSAW is a public education, information and awareness campaign that coincides with the return to daylight saving time on March 8, the annual "springing forward" of clocks that causes Americans to lose an hour of sleep.

"[This is a time] when many of us who are already sleep-deprived will lose another hour of much-needed sleep," said Kathleen Brodzicki, business development manager at ISN.

Pandya-Patel, who has a Master of Business Administration degree in health care administration, a Bachelor of Arts in recreation administration, and an Associate in Applied Science in physical therapy, added that it is the quality of sleep you get, not the quantity.

"Sleep is one of the body's natural regenerative systems … the better you sleep, the better you feel," she said.S

leep experts say that most adults need between seven to nine hours of sleep each night for optimum health, safety and performance. According to the 2009 National Sleep Foundation report that was released last week, more than half of people — 54 percent — are now losing sleep over the economic concerns of today.

The most common form of a sleep problem is obstructive sleep apnea, which is a narrowing of the breathing passage, Pandya-Patel said.

"Most people don't know that they have a sleep problem," she said. "Sleep apnea brings with it the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes and depression."

Pandya-Patel added that snoring might be a sign of something seriously wrong with one's breathing during sleep.

"Generally, it's a good idea to get a sleep study done, because not only is snoring affecting one's sleep and health, but also other people who sleep in the same household."

ISN owns and manages several sleep diagnostic centers located in New Jersey. The company operates state-of-the-art sleep facilities with board-certified sleep physicians and is staffed by trained professionals dedicated to patient care, service and treatment.

The company has expanded to 12 independent sleep diagnostic centers spanning eight states — New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and, most recently, West Virginia, South Carolina and Washington, D.C.

ISN has participated in many campaigns, including a "Driving Drowsy" campaign, where sleep officials traveled to different businesses to bring awareness to shift workers and other professionals.

"ISN concentrates on education of shift workers such as policemen, firefighters and medical workers," said Brodzicki. "Shift workers tend to have a higher risk for sleep disorders compared to other professionals."

ISN's continuing goal is to put sleep right up there with yearly Pap smears and colonoscopies and other required medical testing whether they come to one of our centers or one near their home.

For more information, call 888-SLEEP-DOC (753- 3736), or visit www.sleepfoundation.org or www.isnsleep.com.