Not getting enough ZZZ’s? Virtual Support Group May Provide Solutions to Help You Sleep

Participants to Share ‘Tips & Tricks for a Better Night’s Sleep’

David letterman didn't really show CPAP tips

Anyone who always seems to be ‘catching up on their ZZZ’s’ might want to join the next session of ‘CPAP Talk-Live!’ a unique, free virtual support group for people with sleep disordered breathing (such as sleep apnea) set for Wednesday, June 4 from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). 

Session host Eric Cohen, NST President and co-founder, will answer questions that are phoned in or emailed in advance, and will provide ‘Tips & Tricks for a Better Night’s Sleep.’ Participants are encouraged to call and share their own favorite tips.

The sessions, held on the first Wednesday evening of each month, are a community service of National Sleep Therapy (NST), a leading provider of sleep therapy products and services with offices throughout New England. In the May session, some 50 individuals from a dozen states joined the conversation.

Some 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea - and most don’t know it. Sleep apnea is a chronic, serious condition that disrupts sleep, can affect one’s quality of life, and may even shorten one’s life. CPAP machines are an effective way to enable the user to attain the all-important deep sleep.

The call-in sessions are free and open to everyone. To join the discussion, just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Advance registration is requested. To sign up and for more information: www.cpaptalklive.com

50 Participants From 12 States in Virtual 'Sleep' Support Group

Sleep Expert Dr. Roslinde Collins-Gibbard Answers Questions During 'CPAP Talk-Live!'

BOSTON, MASS. (Issued MAY 2014) -- Some 50 individuals from a dozen states who suffer from

various types of sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea participated in the May edition of ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive.com ) – a unique free monthly virtual support group via conference call. The program is sponsored by National Sleep Therapy. It is estimated that some 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Most sufferers don’t know they have it.

Guest expert Dr. Roslinde M. Collins-Gibbard, one of Vermont’s leading sleep experts, answered call-in and email questions related to CPAP machines (used to keep airways open during sleep), and gave tips to help patients obtain optimal CPAP therapy results. Among highlights of the support group conference call:

• It can take a month to get used to CPAP and it may need adjustments along the way. CPAP users should make sure their doctor has their CPAP data download and that it is available during follow-up visits. For some, it takes 3+ months to feel better. If it takes longer, patients should see their doctor.
• Emphasis on the importance of a strong partnership with your doctor and home care company to coordinate care.
• Awareness of possible interaction between medications and impact on sleep apnea and sleep therapy. Some drugs can exacerbate the frequency of apnea events.
• The normal progression of (non-REM) N3-stage sleep as we age and normal body and sleep changes. 

A member of the staff of the Rutland (VT) Regional Medical Center, Dr. Collins-Gibbard also operates the Center for Sleep Medicine in Rutland. Hosting the call was Eric Cohen, President and co-founder of National Sleep Therapy, a provider of devices and supplies to help people sleep better.

‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ conference calls – free and open to all -- are held on the first Wednesday of each month. The next session will be on Wednesday, June 4, from 7 – 8 p.m. All are welcome to join the discussion. Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# . The innovative support group sessions, offered as a community service by National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com),

Snoring and chronic fatigue can be strong indicators of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a health professional. Left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or depression. Fatigue can lead to highway and workplace accidents.

Pre-registration for the June 4 ‘CPAP Talk-Live!’ session is requested though not required. Sleep disorder and CPAP therapy questions can be submitted in advance. To sign up and for more information, visit www.cpaptalklive or email info@cpaptalklive.com. During each session, one participant will be randomly chosen to win a $25 Amazon gift card. Follow latest updates at National Sleep Therapy’s Facebook page and follow NST on Twitter.

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570

National Sleep Therapy Is Listed by ‘Inc.5000’ as One of Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies

Growth Continues with Recent Acquisition of Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment of CT

BOSTON, MASS. (Issued May 2014)  -- A growing number of people are learning about sleep apnea, its symptoms and the effects it can have on their quality of life and longevity. It’s estimated that some 20 million Americans suffer from sleep-related breathing disorders -- and 80% of those individuals have yet to be diagnosed.

That huge audience is a ripe target for Peter Falkson and Eric Cohen’s company, National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com ) based in Norwood, Mass., serving patients in some 13 states. To better serve people in Connecticut and southern New England, NST recently acquired Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment of Wallingford, CT, has additional expansion plans for the coming year, and hopes to grow the business 4 -5 times in the next few years.

In 2013, the focus on this largely untapped market helped catapult NST to #1,661 on Inc. Magazine’s prestigious ‘Inc.5000,’ as one of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. Its three-year growth showed an impressive 234% increase, jumping from 2009 revenues of $2 million to 2012 revenues of $6.6 million. The company has offices in Norwood, MA, Concord, NH, White River Junction VT, Scarborough Maine, Cary North Carolina, and now Wallingford, CT.

Heightened public awareness about sleep apnea – and that it’s a chronic, serious condition -- is one reason that NST sales have grown dramatically. Last year’s deadly New York train derailment was traced to an engineer with sleep apnea.

Company President Eric Cohen says, “Our recent acquisition of Gaylord Sleep Medicine demonstrates our commitment to finding solutions for so many people who can’t sleep, and that we are in this business for the long term. We are aggressively seeking additional acquisitions that fit our goals, as well as welcoming private equity from investors who share our vision and want to grow with us. Also, small companies must grow to survive. We’re talking to strategic firms to help direct that growth.”

“The health care industry is in disarray and many people are confused about their new doctors, new insurance plans and changing coverage,” says CEO Peter Falkson who has been in the home health care industry since 1990. “We understand the industry. We know what people need and how to provide solutions in the most effective and cost-effective manner. Patients appreciate how we handle all the paperwork and have experienced Respiratory Therapists on hand to answer questions.”

NST works closely with cardiologists and pulmonologists who refer sleep apnea patients to them. Patients are referred following sleep tests at home or in a lab. NST supplies equipment to help people sleep, mainly CPAP devices that emit a regulated airflow to keep air passages open. Through NST’s Healthy Advantage resupply program, patients can sign up to replace air hoses, filters and masks which wear out, leak or become uncomfortable from normal use.

“Because so many people suffer from sleep apnea, it isn’t surprising to find out that someone you know has either been tested for it or actually uses a CPAP machine every night,” Falkson says. “We’re on a mission to erase chronic fatigue and all the accidents, health costs, and lost work time associated with it. If everyone got the right amount of quality sleep each night, it would translate into many lives saved and billions of dollars saved by American business.”

Snoring and sleepiness are more obvious tip-offs that a person may have sleep apnea. Left untreated, sufferers may develop heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, asthma, acid reflux. Chronic fatigue can lead to a poorer quality of life and a shorter lifespan.

Illustrative of NST’s innovative approach, the company sponsors a free monthly community service, ‘CPAP Talk--Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive), a virtual support group / free town hall forum-style conference call for anyone with sleep apnea and those who want to learn more.  The sessions are on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 p.m. ET (All are welcome to join the discussion. Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# ).  Each session features guest experts plus questions submitted by participants.  

By Stanley Hurwitz
(508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

National Sleep Therapy Acquires Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment of Connecticut

888.864.8840       

www.nstherapy.com

New Entity Promises Patients State-of-the-Art Products and Services to Help Improve Sleep

NORWOOD, MA & WALLINGFORD, CT (Issued May 2014)  -- National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com), a respected provider of sleep therapy products and services based in Norwood, Mass., has acquired Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment, one of Connecticut’s leading suppliers of devices and services dealing with sleep disordered breathing. The newly-formed entity will be doing business as Gaylord National Sleep Therapy through the end of 2014, and thereafter, as National Sleep Therapy of Connecticut.

Gaylord Sleep Medicine was a division of Gaylord Hospital based in Wallingford, CT, that operates four sleep labs. Sleep apnea patients will continue to benefit from the highest quality programs, support and services during a seamless transition period.

According to NST’s Vice President of Operations, Joseph Zangrilli, “Gaylord Sleep and National Sleep Therapy have been working collaboratively during the past year to develop a sleep equipment program that is one of the best in the U. S. We believe the new combination will result in a great patient experience and result in better outcomes.”

Zangrilli says the acquisition has been smooth as patient supplies, device support, questions related to sleep and CPAP machines, and billing are processed through the Gaylord National Sleep Therapy system which was installed over the last several months. Zangrilli adds, “Patients are already familiar with NST’s streamlined online payment system and electronic invoices, have access to NST’s Respiratory Therapy staff, and benefit from NST’s experienced team that handles insurance billing and paperwork.”

“We are pleased that our current partner will be taking care of our patients’ sleep therapy needs now and into the future. They share our mission and passion for treating people with respect and providing the utmost in patient-centric care,” says Janine Epright, Vice President and CFO of Gaylord Hospital.

Zangrilli encourages patients who have not recently been in touch with Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment to contact them to hear about the newer services they provide and to check if they may be due for their machine function test and supply replacement.

It is estimated that more than 18 million American adults have obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Chronic snoring is a strong indicator of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a health professional. Left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or depression. Many traffic and work accidents can be traced to people with sleep apnea. For example, It has been determined that the NY commuter train engineer at the center of the train derailment that killed four and injured 70 most likely suffered from severe sleep apnea. In a subsequent sleep study, it was found that his sleep was disrupted 65 times per hour.

Zangrilli says the treatment of choice for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP). CPAP therapy involves a mask that fits over the nose and/or mouth with a device that gently blows air to help keep the airway open during sleep. This method of treatment is highly effective. A sleep study can determine if a person has apnea. Positive outcomes can come from adhering to doctor’s recommendations and proper use of equipment.

Current Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment patients who need to order CPAP supplies, have questions or want to confirm current insurance information are asked to call 203-741-3300 or 888-867-8840.

National Sleep Therapy has earned a reputation as an innovator in the sleep therapy field. Its pioneering monthly ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ town hall-style virtual support group attracts people from around the country seeking information and advice about latest sleep apnea therapies and devices. The call-in sessions feature expert guests and are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). Sessions are free and open to all. The last session drew participants from a dozen states.

The company sponsors a free monthly community service, ‘CPAP Talk--Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive), a virtual support group / free town hall forum-style conference call for anyone with sleep apnea and those who want to learn more.  The sessions are on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 p.m. ET (All are welcome to join the discussion. Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# ).  Each session features guest experts plus questions submitted by participants.  To sign up or for more information, visit www.cpaptalklive or email info@cpaptalklive.com. Pre-registration is requested though not required. During each session, one participant will win a $25 Amazon gift card.  Follow latest updates at National Sleep Therapy’s Facebook page and follow NST on Twitter.  

                                                                                                      

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570