Pumping Iron Legend ‘Big Mike’ Katz to Discuss His Career and His Sleep Apnea on CPAP Talk-Live!

‘Big Mike’ Katz still has Arnold Shwarzenegger and Lou (‘The Incredible Hulk’) Ferrigno on his speed dial. The three bodybuilders met during the making of the 1977 niche classic Pumping Iron.

About 10 years ago, Katz was diagnosed with sleep apnea and now, at age 70, depends on his CPAP machine for the deep night’s sleep his big frame needs. As a client, he now sports National Sleep Therapy on his speed dial as well. (www.nstherapy.com). Some 20 million Americans have sleep apnea -- but most have yet to be diagnosed.

Katz will be the featured guest during the next free group virtual support session, ‘CPAP Talk –Live!,’ – everything you wanted to know about sleep apnea -- set for Wednesday, February 4 from 7-8 pm (ET). The town-hall-style forums are held at the same time on the first Wednesday of each month, sponsored by National Sleep Therapy. In recent months, enthusiastic CPAP users from 10 states have joined in the monthly sessions. (To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.)

Katz, who played for the N. Y Jets with Joe Namath, was a former Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champ. Today, Big Mike hasn’t slowed down much. With his son, he operates five fitness studios in Connecticut, sticks to a tough exercise regimen, trains fitness clients, and speaks on behalf of Special Olympics and youth fitness. (He was a high school health education teacher and earned advanced degrees in the field.) Most important, he makes time to enjoy his grandchildren.

He says, “It takes a bit to get used to wearing the CPAP mask at night, but it’s worth the effort. I don’t want to shorten my life or sleep through my grandkids’ childhood – waking up when they’re 16, wondering where the time went.”

“CPAP Talk-Live!’ is hosted by National Sleep Therapy President Eric Cohen. He says that, besides snoring, a symptom of sleep apnea is chronic fatigue. Ignoring that can exacerbate high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and/or weight gain, as well as lead to highway or workplace accidents. Untreated, lack of deep sleep can lead to a lower quality of life and even a shorter life expectancy.

Interested individuals may also send questions in advance either via Facebook or using the cpaptalklive.com registration form. 

We have a really fun night planned! Don't miss it!

Virtual CPAP Group Supports New Users

Free One-of-A-Kind Session Draws New Users and Experienced Ones

Some 30 individuals suffering from sleep apnea from seven states participated in the January edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ – a unique monthly virtual support group conference call sponsored by National Sleep Therapy (NST). Sessions are free and open to all.

A caller from Hanover, NH, told Eric Cohen, host and President of NST, “I wish more doctors did this. This is great,” he said, referring to the health tips and Q & A with fellow CPAP users, the host and health care professionals on the line. A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open to enable deep sleep. This therapy for sleep apnea is the preferred treatment prescribed by most physicians.

Among those joining the conversation were residents of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina, with a good number of new callers.

Veteran CPAP users were eager to help new users on topics such as condensation and mask issues. Cohen led a discussion on how the pressure is initially set on the machine after a careful titration study determines the lowest effective pressure. “There was a lot of sharing going on and that’s what ‘CPAP Talk – Live!” is all about,” he said.

Its’ estimated that 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, yet only a small number have been diagnosed. Chronic fatigue, snoring, and daytime sleepiness are symptoms. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health issues -- even a shorter life – as well as highway or workplace accidents.

Cohen said several participants are not NST customers but read or heard about the unique monthly sessions. “It went very well and I could tell the new CPAP users really appreciated the tips and advice,” he said. “We hope to have new people join us each month. We hope sleep doctors will encourage their patients to participate.”

‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is free, anonymous and open to all. The town-hall-style forums are held on the first Wednesday of each month. The next one is set for Wednesday, February 4 at 7 pm (ET). To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#. (Visit www.cpaptalklive.com ). During each session, one participant wins a $25 gift card.

National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com) has earned a reputation as an industry pioneer. The company made the ‘Inc. 5000’ list as ‘One of Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies.’ For more information, contact 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com.

Was Your New Year Resolution to Get A Better Night’s Sleep?

How to Get More ZZZ’s in 2015

Did you often wake up tired during 2014? Did your snoring wake others up? Maybe you have sleep apnea. Some 20 million Americans have it – yet most have not been diagnosed. Now is a good time to resolve to correct the situation.

With that goal in mind, National Sleep Therapy (NST) is ringing in 2015 with a special New Year edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ on Wednesday, January 7 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET (see www.nstherapy.com). ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is a unique, free virtual support session for anyone who has (or thinks they have) sleep apnea. The town-hall-style forums are held on the first Wednesday of each month. (To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#. It’s anonymous!)

NST President and program host Eric Cohen is extending a special invitation to new CPAP users: “If you’re new to CPAP and have questions, or you’re an experienced user and would like to share your best tips or words of encouragement to help others, please join the conversation. Or you can just listen and learn -- It’s like a gathering of friends -- and it’s anonymous.” A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open that enables deep sleep.

In December, 24 people from 11 states participated in a fun and informative discussion about new devices and helpful hints to help people get more ZZZ’s. Healthcare professionals often join in, offering their insights. Cohen says, “Every month we all learn something new. In a recent session, participants learned how to avoid water in the hose, how often to clean and replace equipment, how to combat dry mouth, and many other common CPAP issues.”

If sleep apnea is indicated during a sleep test, CPAP therapy can be prescribed by a physician. While snoring is a common indication of sleep apnea, chronic fatigue can be a more subtle red flag. Ignoring chronic fatigue can exacerbate high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and/or weight gain, as well as the likelihood of highway or workplace accidents. Untreated, lack of deep sleep can lead to a lower quality of life and even a shorter life expectancy.

During each session, NST gives away a $25 gift card to one participant. For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com. To participate: Use the link to register and ask a question to the group, or offer a special tip. To participate: Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# and you’re immediately part of the group call.