Sleep Health
Sleep health has been described as a multidimensional pattern of sleep/wakefulness,
adapted to individual, social, and environmental demands, that promotes
physical and mental well-being. Good sleep is characterized by subjective
satisfaction, appropriate timing, adequate duration, high efficiency,
and sustained alertness during waking hours. The Center for Sports Neurology
and Pain Medicine emphasizes the role of sleep in overall health. Some
sleep experts estimate disordered sleep as responsible for more morbidity
and mortality in the United Sates than cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions combined.
From the standpoint of sleep’s influence on performance, it’s
been shown that less than six hours of sleep overnight is associated with
decreased time to physical exhaustion, reduced aerobic output, reduced
peak and sustained muscle strength, impaired metabolic capabilities, and
increased injury risk. As a Sports Neurologist, Dr. Williams is particularly
concerned with the ways that impaired sleep affects the glymphatic system,
which clears toxins from the brain and contributes to neurological restoration,
efficiency, and performance.
As such, Dr. Williams and the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine
provide access to a comprehensive sleep and fatigue management system.
Dr. Williams and his team assess and review the major factors contributing
to individual sleep efficiency:
- Lifestyle Decisions
- Environmental and Occupational Circumstances
- Each Individual’s Unique Biology
The Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine is the first in the nation
to apply a unique, machine learning and artificial intelligence system
(validated by over a decade of research) in the clinical setting. Athletes,
clients, and patients complete a tablet-based series of questionnaires
that results in accurate diagnoses of sleep disorders with close to 95%
accuracy as compared to formal polysomnography. The program is also very
effective at identifying behavioral and mood disorders. This technology
allows for the assessment of individuals, small groups, or entire teams
efficiently. Other assessment techniques include medical grade Actigraphy,
and referral for formal sleep studies, if indicated. Dr. Williams also
has access to the Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool, (developed for military
use and which has been used in a number of industries to assess predicted
fatigue-related effects on performance). Armed with these powerful datapoints,
Dr. Williams is able to advise individual athletes, clients, patients,
and other key stakeholders (such as team coaching or strength and conditioning
staff, as well as logistics personnel) with actionable information.
With a menu of options shown to be effective in improving disordered sleep,
ranging from instruction in sleep hygiene, brain-training for autonomic
quieting (with mindfulness meditation and/or biofeedback), and cognitive-behavioral
therapies, pharmacologic recommendations using over the counter supplementation,
or prescription medications, as well as providing access to sleep specialist
consultants, patients and clients can rest assured that they are on the
road to an improved night’s sleep, better health, and enhanced performance
on the field or in the office.
Sleep health and optimization of sleep efficiency may be the most effective
intervention an individual can make to optimize performance. Dr. Williams
and his Center is poised to assist individuals and organizations in the
critical aspect of health and performance.