Free Sleep Apnea Virtual Support Session Wednesday, April 1, at 7:00 p.m. EST

For people suffering from sleep apnea, spring cleaning takes on extra meaning. 

“A regular cleaning of your CPAP is nothing to sneeze at,” smiles Eric Cohen, co-founder and president of National Sleep Therapy(www.nstherapy.com) based in Norwood, Mass., and Concord, NH. “In addition to the traditional chore of ridding your home of stale air, dust, pet hair and germs that have accumulated all winter, Spring is an ideal time to do a complete cleaning and inspection of your CPAP equipment.” A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open that enables deep sleep.

“CPAP equipment makers and health care professionals recommend cleaning your CPAP mask daily. It gets dirty since you’re breathing into it all night,” says Cohen. He says tubing and other accessories should be cleaned at least weekly, and he recommends a sanitizing product like SoClean that kills 99% of mold, bacteria and viruses on CPAP equipment.

Cohen says, “We recently had a customer call-in who was having irritation of his airway from dust in his CPAP. Make sure your filters are replaced regularly and that you keep your room and area around your CPAP free from dust, pet hair, and mold. During the session, we’ll talk about this and other ways to make sure the air you breathe is clean.”

Individuals who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea (and those who think they may have it) are invited to join the conversation during ‘CPAP Talk – Live!,’ a free, anonymous virtual support session, on Wednesday, APRIL 1, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET. ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is a unique, town-hall-style forums on the first Wednesday of each month. The session is hosted by Cohen who says anyone can participate. Each month, individuals from a dozen states participate in fun and informative discussions about CPAP devices and helpful hints to help others get the deep sleep they need. “Every month we all learn something new. It’s never the same show twice,” says Cohen.” Or you can just listen and learn. It’s like a gathering of friends.” (Just prior to each session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.

Not getting enough sleep over a long period doesn’t just make you tired. It can lead to more serious health issues -- and even shorten your life. If sleep apnea is indicated during a sleep test, CPAP therapy can be prescribed by a physician.

Healthcare professionals often join in, offering their insights. Cohen says, “

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. Send questions in advance via Facebook or use the cpaptalklive.com form.

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

Patient Profile: For Gene Hayes, CPAP Replaces Mid-Day Naps

A former middle school principal, corporate educator, and software marketer, 79 year-old Gene Hayes of Alpharetta, Georgia, never thought about slowing down.

But in 2003, he noticed a drowsiness around mid-day, and naps became part of his daily routine. “That wasn’t like me. I just chalked it up to age,” Gene recalls. “I also thought that surgeries on my hip and knee had taken their toll.”

Earlier on a sales trip, Gene shared a hotel room with a son. They were attempting to build a software business together to help school administrators track textbooks. “My son complained that my loud snoring had kept him up. When we got home, my wife agreed I was a loud snorer, but she thought it was normal and had learned to sleep through it.”

We visited a pulmonologist who arranged a sleep study. “The study in 2009 showed I was having over 40 apnea episodes every hour, so even though I was in bed for 7 – 8 hours, I never really got the deep REM sleep your body needs. When the doctor prescribed CPAP therapy, my son suggested we contact his old childhood friend, Eric Cohen, a cofounder and president of National Sleep Therapy (NST).

“From the outset, I was truly impressed with the personal attention and detailed instruction I received from Eric and his NST staff. Based on the doctor’s orders, I received a top-of-the-line CPAP device and mask and even got follow-up live support sessions via Skype -- which was very convenient for me. Whenever I have questions, there’s an FAQ section and helpful videos on their website (www.nstherapy.com). The staff checks in on me and when I call them, they are responsive. I order supplies as needed. And I really look forward to their monthly ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ virtual support session conference call where CPAP users and health care pros share tips and solutions. I always recommend National Sleep Therapy to sleepless friends in Georgia.”

Gene likes the fact that he has so much energy to devote to his avocation in church ministry. He serves as a Scripture reader at the local church, and posts weekly commentary on his website that monthly attracts 1,500 visitors.

Best of all, Gene isn’t snoring any more. “I get a great 8 or 9 hours of sleep every night. My wife is happy. The doctor is happy. And I’m ecstatic that I’m wide awake when we visit our 5 adult offspring and their 14 children – whether at home or visiting them in Austin, Dallas, Spokane or Anchorage. And when we travel, my CPAP travels with us!”

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

National Sleep Therapy Patient Profile: Dick Aronson

CPAP Brings More Energy for Skiing, Traveling – and Grandchildren!

“I used to be concerned about dozing off while driving,” admits Dick Aronson, a retired businessman from Falmouth, Maine. “But since I got my CPAP three years ago, I’m a lot more alert in everything I do. I just have a lot more energy.”

Now 79, Aronson recently sold the four-store retail tire chain founded by his father-in-law in 1926 in Portland – the oldest independent tire company in the state. “Three years ago, when I complained about sleep and breathing issues, my doctor ordered a sleep test,” says Aronson. “I never snored or had other symptoms of sleep apnea. The test results convinced my doctor to prescribe CPAP therapy. Then, in 2014, a ‘leaky valve’ issue prompted the outstanding medical team at the Maine Medical Center, where I was on the Board, to recommend open heart surgery.” Aronson is a past President of Spring Harbor Psychiatric Hospital in South Portland.

The surgery and the CPAP have given Aronson a second life: “I’m no longer tired during the day. At work I was more focused, working better. My concentration has improved, I’m not afraid of dozing while driving, and I stay up much later at night.”

“Although my wife has had a hard time getting used to seeing me in my CPAP mask -- and I’ve had trouble getting used to the masks – I’ve tried three styles – a recent sleep test showed that I’m truly benefitting from CPAP therapy,” says Aronson. “I get my CPAP masks and accessories from National Sleep Therapy where the staff is helpful and sympathetic.”

So, what are Aronson’s retirement plans? “I hope to return to skiing out west and tackle my favorite 14,000-foot slopes. But most important, we’ll be visiting our seven grandchildren scattered in Florida, California and Texas. And to make sure I can keep up with them, I’m packing my CPAP. I really am a believer!”

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

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Real life patient story presented by National Sleep Therapy. For more information: 888.867.8840, support@nstherapy.com or cpaptalklive.com Company website: www.nstherapy.com. Also see: https://www.facebook.com/nstherapy.

National Sleep Therapy on WBZ Radio

In February, National Sleep Therapy President Eric Cohen and patient ‘Big Mike’ Katz, former national bodybuilding champ, were the featured guests on the popular ‘Jordan Rich Show’ on WBZ Radio (1030 AM), New England’s biggest radio station. ‘Big Mike’ talked about his victory over sleep apnea and the difference a good night’s sleep has made in his life. Jordan Rich’s long-running program is heard in 38 states and Canada on Friday and Saturday nights from midnight to 5 AM. Listen to it here: http://ht.ly/JYbxI

Sleep Sufferers Share Stories, Solutions

Virtual Support Group Provides Friendly Forum

Coinciding with National Sleep Awareness Week and the switch to Daylight Saving Time when Americans lose one hour of sleep, individuals with sleep apnea and health care professionals from 9 states talked about sleep – and lack of it -- during the most recent edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ -- the country’s only free monthly virtual support session focusing on sleep apnea.

The town hall-style forum, sponsored by of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com ), enables participants to join in anonymously from the comfort of their own home.

During the recent session, hosted by Tony Lupi, a Registered Respiratory Therapy, participants shared their personal stories, anecdotes and advice, and asked questions related to sleep issues and therapies. Among topics discussed: Dealing with claustrophobia brought on by wearing a CPAP mask; effectiveness of hypnotherapy; uses of melatonin; humidification and dry mouth; dealing with excess sweating; seasonal CPAP machine pressure setting changes; and advice on care and cleaning of CPAP accessories.

Guest co-host was sleep apnea patient Nydia Glander of North Carolina who shared her personal story of using CPAP to overcome sleep apnea. The active 76 year-old, who volunteers and exercises daily, travels extensively, never leaving home without her CPAP.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most common therapy to treat sleep apnea. Most of the estimated 20 million Americans with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. Although they may be in bed for 8 hours each night, they are puzzled by chronic fatigue and other health issues brought on by lack of sleep. Snoring is the most visible (audible!) symptom of sleep apnea.

During the past year, session organizer and NST president Eric Cohen has observed, “People like to be a part of a community, a place for collective support. They’re eager to share advice with others who also have sleep and CPAP issues, and they’re excited to learn something new. The sessions fill a void. Participants regularly tell us the camaraderie and shared ideas help them both physically and mentally. It’s never the same twice.”

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For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com. To participate in the monthly session on the first Wednesday each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET): 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. Send questions in advance via Facebook or use the cpaptalklive.com form.

Sleep Apnea Patients Are Invited to Share Their Stories In Virtual Support Session

Free Forum is Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Not getting enough sleep over a long period doesn’t just make you tired. It can lead to more serious health issues --and even shorten your life.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea (and those who think they may have it) are being invited to share their stories during a special edition of ‘CPAP Talk – Live!,’ a free virtual support session, on Wednesday, March 4, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET. ‘CPAP Talk –Live!’ is a unique, town-hall-style forums on the first Wednesday of each month. The session is hosted by Eric Cohen, founder and president of National Sleep Therapy. Anyone can participate anonymously. (Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#.) 

In recent months, individuals from a dozen states have participated in fun and informative discussions 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. It’s never the same show twice.”

Cohen is extending a special invitation to new CPAP users: “We want people to share their sleep (or lack of sleep) anecdotes. Whether 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.” A CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) uses gentle airflow to keep airways open that enables deep sleep.

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.

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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. Send questions in advance via Facebook or use the cpaptalklive.com form.