Telltale Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea Is Focus of Unique ‘CPAP Chat’ Virtual Support Group on Dec. 2

National Sleep Therapy Asks Callers & Staff to Share Their New Year’s Resolutions

For many, a New Year’s resolution might involve a promise to do one or more acts of self-improvement: eating healthier, exercising, thinking more positively, changing bad habits.

“If you’re always tired, the start of the new year is an ideal time to resolve to find out if you have sleep apnea,” says Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com). It’s estimated that 20 million Americans have sleep apnea -- yet most have yet to be tested.

Cohen hosts the popular ‘CPAP Chat,’ the world’s only monthly virtual support group for anyone interested in sleep issues. The 21st monthly edition of CPAP Chat is set for Wednesday, December 2nd from 7 – 8 pm (ET). For this session, participants will be asked to share their resolutions, and will have a chance to ‘meet’ NST staff who will share what they hope to do better in 2016.

Cohen says if a person has any two of these symptoms, chances are they have sleep apnea:

• Daytime sleepiness / Chronic fatigue
• Hypertension
• Snoring (especially if it disturbs others)
• If someone has witnessed that you stop breathing during the night 

CPAP Chat attracts laypeople and health care professionals. Sessions are free, anonymous and open to all. Participants hail from 8 or more states.

If sleep apnea is suspected, a person should contact their doctor and discuss whether to have a sleep study. National Sleep Therapy is locally owned and works closely with local doctors to provide the best sleep therapy possible. The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy.

Studies show that prolonged lack of regular, deep sleep can lead to heart diseases, hypertension, memory loss, diabetes, and can result in workplace or highways accidents. Eric Cohen says “Taking care of your sleep apnea is a great New Year’s resolution and a wonderful holiday gift to yourself and your loved ones.”

To join the conversation during the next edition of CPAP Chat on Wednesday, December 2 from 7 – 8 pm (ET), just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Questions may be submitted in advance either via Facebook or email info@cpapchat.org . (Sessions are always the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm - ET), For more info, visit www.cpapchat.org 

 -Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

Expert Describes How Laser Treatment Can Eliminate Snoring

20th Edition of ‘CPAP Chat’ Features Laser Dentist

The 20th edition of ‘CPAP Chat,’ the world’s only virtual support group for people with sleep apnea, drew participants from six states who learned about a technique that uses lasers to eliminate snoring.

‘CPAP Chat,’ (www.cpapchat.org), a phone-in version of a town hall forum, is free and anonymous. Anyone can join the conversation during sessions on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. (ET). Host Eric Cohen, president of National Sleep Therapy, leads discussions about latest sleep research, how to sleep better, and tips about CPAP devices and therapy. Guest experts are a monthly draw. (CPAP is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.)

November’s featured guest, Dr. Linda Kronick of Laser Dentistry LLC in Bozrah, CT, described how she uses low-energy lasers to tighten throat collagen which widens airways and eliminates snoring, often a sign of sleep apnea. Asked by a participant about the treatment, Dr. Kronick said, “There’s no anesthesia, cutting or bleeding – no sore throat or downtime.” She said three sessions are required, each 30 days apart, and she noted that collagen returns and the treatment must be repeated after a year. She noted that 40 of 42 patients she treated have been totally successful.

Session participants also discussed SoClean, a CPAP sanitizing system that takes about 10 minutes to kill 99% of germs and bacteria in a person’s CPAP mask, hose and reservoir with no disassembly, no water, and no chemicals. One user said it makes her equipment “squeaky clean.” Another said his dentist recommended it because he uses it himself.

Extensive research shows that sleep apnea doesn’t just prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep affects many body systems that puts a person at increased risk for disease. Chronic fatigue can also lead to anxiety and dementia, as well as workplace and highway accidents. Anyone who is always tired despite getting a good nights’ sleep, should tell their doctor who may prescribe a sleep test. Most sleep apnea sufferers aren’t aware that this could explain their chronic fatigue. Some 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, though most have yet to be diagnosed.

The next edition of CPAP Chat is set for Wednesday, December 2 from 7 – 8 pm (ET). To join the conversation, just prior to the session (always the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm - ET), call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Questions may be submitted in advance either via Facebook or email info@cpapchat.org . For more info, visit www.cpapchat.org. 

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

Attention Editor: For an interview with host Eric Cohen: call 617-281-5330 or email ecohen@nstherapy.com