Fitness Guru Tim Mills Is Featured Guest on ‘CPAP Chat’ Virtual Support Session

CPAP Chat: Wednesday, July 1st at 7 p.m. (ET)

Fitness Guru Tim Mills (www.timsfit.com)
A few years ago Tim Mills’ doctors told him he would have high cholesterol and possibly be on medication for the rest of his life.

Tim found a better way: He lost weight, exercised more and changed his diet. No more meds, no more high cholesterol. Now Tim is a highly-respected nutritionist, fitness expert and motivational speaker. He devotes his life to helping others find better health and fitness with simple, easy steps.

Tim Mills will be the featured guest during the next ‘CPAP Chat’ (www.CPAPchat.org), the free virtual support session for people with sleep apnea, health care professionals and anyone interested in the topic of sleep. The session -- free and open to all -- is Wednesday, July 1st from 7 – 8 pm (ET).

‘CPAP Chat’ is the country’s only town-hall-style forum of its kind. People from a dozen states usually participate The host is engineer/inventor Eric Cohen, co-founder and president of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com), a leading supplier of CPAP equipment designed to help people with sleep apnea to get a good night’s sleep.

“All are invited for what promises to be a fun and informative session with Tim Mills,” says Cohen. “Participants will learn three simple tricks you can do today for better fitness and nutrition. You’ll also learn how nutrition can impact your sleep. Tim works with regular folks, not just super athletes. He’s not about body-building, but rather about feeling good and enjoying every day. http://timsfit.com/

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls sleep apnea an epidemic and estimates that 50-70 million American adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. Most have yet to be diagnosed! CPAP (acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is today’s most common therapy, usually prescribed by a pulmonologist or cardiologist. It sends a gentle oxygen flow to keep airways open to enable uninterrupted sleep.

Other topics that will be addressed during the July 1st ‘CPAP Chat’ session will include: Follow-up on last month’s discussion about mindful meditation as a sleep aid, and more about a micro-CPAP that weighs less than an ouce.

CPAP Chat is free, anonymous and open to all. To join the conversation: Just prior to the session on Wednesday, July 1 at 7 pm (ET), call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.) For more info, visit www.CPAPchat.org .

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

In Virtual Seminar, Expert Says ‘Mindful Meditation’ Can Help Chronically Sleep-Deprived

Participants in ‘CPAP Chat’ from 10 States Learn Secrets to More ZZZ’s

Maureen Marasca
People from 10 states who have a tough time getting healthful deep sleep every night joined in the country’s only virtual support group to learn how meditation may be able to help. Most of the forum’s participants use doctor-prescribed CPAP therapy to help them sleep.

Leading the discussion for the monthly edition of ‘CPAP Chat’ was Maureen Marasca of Concord, NH, , one of New England’s most respected Meditation teachers. Participants in the free, anonymous session hailed from as far away as North Carolina and Virginia. She told participants, “I am passionate about helping others to experience a deeper sense of living, a deeper sense of peace, joy and purpose.” Marasca has helped hundreds incorporate spirituality and wellness into their everyday lives through Mindfulness and Meditation.

‘CPAP Chat’ (www.CPAPchat.org) is the country’s only town-hall-style forum of its kind. The monthly session (the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm ET) attracts sleep apnea patients, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the subject of sleep. Sessions are hosted by engineer/inventor Eric Cohen, president of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com) based in Concord, NH, and Norwood, MA.

During the session, Marasca, explained how people who have difficulty sleeping can benefit from mindful meditation, “taking control of the moments before going to sleep, and the importance of being the gatekeeper to prevent persistent bothersome thoughts.” She earned a Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire and a Graduate Certificate in Alternative Modalities of Healing from Plymouth State University,

One participant in the recent CPAP Chat session was Robyn Shaw, recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, who 13 years ago had a heart attack and underwent bypass surgery. After the CPAP Chat session Shaw said, “I have attended several workshops on stress management. My experience has been that one stress relieving method does not work for every situation. Now I have meditation to add to my toolbox. Maureen Marasca did an excellent job talking us through the exercise. She showed us how to attain total relaxation to all body parts in a short time. There will always be stress in life, but the way it’s handled can sometimes make a difference between life and death.” Shaw is VP of the Greater Portland (Maine) Chapter of The Mended Hearts, a national non-profit that offers the gift of hope to heart disease patients, their families and caregivers.

Session host, an engineer and president of National Sleep Therapy, described a study that measured effectiveness of ‘mindful awareness’ practices which includes meditation, versus the more traditional approach referred to as sleep hygiene (regular sleep schedule, avoid naps , limiting worry and exposure to light before sleep, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, etc.) The study showed the sleep hygiene education to be marginally effective, while the meditation and mindfulness approach was found to be ‘significant’ and ‘superior.’”

CPAP Chat is free, anonymous and open to all. To join the chat: Just prior to the next session on Wednesday, July 1st at 7 pm (ET), call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.) 

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com























Sleep Expert Discusses “When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Work”

National Sleep Therapy President Eric Cohen Explains Sleep Apnea at Mended Hearts Monthly Meeting
Eric Cohen

Do you often have difficulty falling asleep? Do you regularly feel tired after a ‘night’s sleep’? Does someone else’s snoring keep you up all night? You or your partner might have sleep apnea.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls sleep apnea an epidemic and estimates that 50-70 million US adults have sleep or wakefulness disorder. Most have yet to be diagnosed!

To discuss sleep apnea, its diagnosis and treatment, Eric Cohen, engineer/inventor and president/co-founder of National Sleep Therapy, was the featured speaker at the June meeting of the Mended Hearts Cardiac Support Group / Greater Portland Chapter, on June 4 at the Learning Resource Center in Scarborough (Maine).

Chapter Vice President Robyn Shaw, who 13 years ago had a heart attack followed by bypass surgery, was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and invited Cohen to speak on the topic. He explained that, left untreated, chronic fatigue can lead to hypertension, depression, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, highway and workplace accidents and worse. Sleep insufficiency causes increased mortality and reduced quality of life and productivity. Snoring is a major indicator of obstructive sleep apnea. Cohen said, “Sleep plays such a factor in our overall health. When our company supports people with sleep apnea, we provide a very comprehensive education program to help users stick with it. It’s that important.”

Cohen described how his engineering skills led him to sleep apnea and breathing devices designed for those who stop breathing in the night. Today’s most common therapy is CPAP (acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), usually prescribed by a pulmonologist or cardiologist, that sends a gentle oxygen flow to keep airways open to enable uninterrupted sleep. Shaw said, “Eric spoke in terms that members could understand and brought show-and-tell to take the fear out of sleep testing and CPAP, with sample devices and masks. Eric is now the new standard by which all other speakers will be judged.” National Sleep Therapy helps people via patient education videos, close monitoring, and CPAP Chat., a unique monthly phone support group hosted by Cohen.

He explained that if a person experiences any two of the following: Snoring, Tired during the day, or is Observed not breathing ,or have high blood Pressure (acronym STOP), they should see their doctor to get evaluated for sleep apnea. If a diagnosis is confirmed and CPAP therapy is prescribed, start promptly.

National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com) has offices in Scarborough, Maine, as well as Concord and Lebanon, NH, and Massachusetts, Vermont and Connecticut. Its monthly CPAP Chat virtual support group occurs on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm. All are welcome – free, anonymous, and informative. Visit www.cpapchat.org for dial-in info..
Robin Shaw

One of 400 Mended Hearts chapters across North America, the Greater Portland Chapter meets on the first Thursday of each month from 6 – 8 pm, usually drawing some 20 people. 

For more information, Robyn Shaw, Vice President, Greater Portland Chapter /The Mended Hearts; (207) 523-0883; Robynshaw13@icloud.com


UPDATE 6/24/15:

We just came across this very informative article that we wanted to share with you. In a sleep-clinic study, CAD (Coronary Artery Disease) was associated with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and with shorter sleep duration, according to a study presented at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions.  Click here to read the full article>


National Sleep Therapy Opens New Office in Lebanon, NH

National Sleep Therapy, a leading supplier of CPAP equipment, is New England-based and family-owned.

We are pleased to introduce our new office in Lebanon, NH at 115 Etna Road.

National Sleep Therapy’s new Lebanon office is conveniently located less than one mile from I-89 ( Exit 18), and a short drive to downtown Lebanon, Dartmouth- Hitchcock Medical Center, and downtown Hanover.


Driving Directions:
From DHMC to 115 Etna Rd.: Take Lebanon St. / NH 120 less than a half mile; turn right onto Greensboro Rd. Follow almost 2 miles and Greensboro becomes Great Hollow Rd. In 8/10 mile, that becomes Etna Rd. Follow 1.4 miles. 115 Etna is on the right. (If you reach Rte. 120, you passed our building!)

Office Hours & Appointments: 
Our Registered Respiratory Therapist is on-site on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other days and times by appointment. To make an appointment, call (888) 864-8840.

Our Commitment: 
National Sleep Therapy is committed to providing the education and tools patients need to succeed with their therapy. We provide the best in CPAP devices, masks and accessories available, plus a top-rated patient education and support program. We are the only company that sponsors a monthly virtual support group, CPAP Chat. It’s free, informative and anonymous!

Sleep Is Good