Unique Forum Attracts Participants from 8 States
A record number of participants suffering from sleep disordered breathing (sleep apnea) joined the conversation during the October edition of ‘CPAP – Talk Live!,’ a free virtual support group sponsored by National Sleep Therapy (NST).
CPAP (pronounced see-pap) is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP therapy helps people get the periods of deep sleep the body needs to rejuvenate. Snoring is a major indicator of obstructive sleep apnea.
According to program host Eric Cohen, co-founder and President of NST(www.nstherapy.com) which sponsors the monthly sessions, participants dialed in from eight states including Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, Georgia and North Carolina.
The U. S. Centers for Disease Control has called insufficient sleep ‘a public health epidemic,’ with sleep insufficiency linked to highway and workplace accidents, occupational errors, a range of medical issues, a decreased quality of life – even a possible shortened lifespan. Over 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and according to the CDC, an estimated 50-70 million U. S. adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder.
Joining Cohen on during ‘CPAP – Talk Live!’ was Amy Michaud, territory manager for ResMed, a maker of products to treat sleep disorders, who introduced a new line of CPAP masks and answered caller questions. A highlight was when the five winners of the newest-style CPAP masks were announced.
“Because of the continued interest in more comfortable CPAP masks and the large number of participants, the lively session continued beyond our one-hour schedule,” said Cohen. “We had so many great questions and wonderful peer support. Folks gave tips about mouth breathing and how to train yourself to keep your mouth closed when using a nasal mask. The sessions provide a very supportive environment you can’t find anywhere else. We had some familiar voices and many new ones on the call.”
The CDC has found that “adults who reported sleeping less than the recommended 7–9 hours per night were more likely to have difficulty performing many daily tasks.”
‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ is held on the first Wednesday of each month and is free and open to all. The next session will be Wednesday, November 5 from 7 – 8 pm (ET). For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment