Investigators Determine Engineer in Fatal Train Crash Had Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea

This week, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that last year’s fatal NYC train derailment was likely caused by the engineer who fell asleep at the controls due to an undiagnosed sleep disorder.

Those of us in the sleep therapy industry are always talking about the dangers of not getting enough sleep. Besides the serious health issues that can derive from chronic fatigue, thousands of lives and billions of dollars are lost annually due to sleep apnea.

The NY commuter train was traveling at about 80 mph -- 50 miles per hour faster than the speed limit when it rounded a curve and derailed about 7 a.m. on December 1, 2013. Four people were killed and 61 were injured in the derailment. NTSB investigators learned the engineer had severe obstructive sleep apnea that had not been diagnosed. With such apnea, the airway collapses or becomes blocked during sleep, causing drowsiness.

In addition to selling CPAP devices, one of National Sleep Therapy’s primary missions is to help people recognize and deal with their sleep apnea. It’s an ongoing educational process that we take seriously. We are constantly reminding people who think they or someone they know may have sleep apnea to ask their doctors to arrange a sleep test. The results of that test can determine if a person may need CPAP therapy in order to get a good night’s sleep. For more information: www.nstherapy.com

Photo Credit: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton

Patient Survey: CPAP Users Feel Better Physically and Mentally

Results of National Sleep Therapy Poll …

Getting enough ZZZ’s can make you less grumpy, give you more self-confidence, make you more creative – and even improve your love life!

These are some of the findings of a recent survey conducted among CPAP patients by National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com. Over 120 individuals with a history of sleep apnea who now use doctor-prescribed CPAP (pronounced see-pap) therapy responded to the survey which provides insights into why CPAP is so popular and why compliance with doctor’s orders is so critical.

It’s estimated that over 18 million Americans have sleep apnea and most have yet to be diagnosed. The resulting chronic fatigue can lead to a host of serious diseases, a shorter lifespan, and workplace and highway accidents. CPAP, pronounced ‘see-pap’, is an acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.

The survey was devised by NST President and co-founder Eric Cohen. Respondents could check off as many benefits as they received from CPAP therapy, thus the figures add up to more than 100%. The survey shows:

- 48% are able to stay awake more during the day

- 40% drive / focus on tasks better

- 28% have a better attitude

- 28% are less grumpy

- 21% feel better overall

- 20% feel like themselves again

- 18% gained better control over hypertension

- 13% have a better memory

- 6% feel more creative

- 3% have a better love life

Several respondents noted that their migraine headaches had disappeared. Others said they no longer snore (a benefit for their partner), no longer need daytime naps, and they sleep through the night. The survey asked respondents for advice for new CPAP users. Comments included: “Don’t give up. Take the time to adjust. It’s worth the inconvenience.” “Be patient and relax. Use it faithfully.” It took me quite awhile to completely get used to wearing it, but now I wouldn't want to miss it because of my improved quality of life.

CPAP therapy is the ‘gold standard’ treatment of choice for people with sleep apnea. The therapy involves a mask that fits over the nose and/or mouth with a device that gently blows air to keep the airway open during sleep. A sleep study can help diagnose apnea. Positive outcomes result when patients adhere to doctor’s recommendations and proper use of equipment. Many insurers require compliance in order to continue coverage.

National Sleep Therapy has earned a reputation as an industry pioneer. The company sponsors a monthly free virtual support group -- ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ -- for people with sleep apnea and healthcare pros (www.cpaptalklive.com ), and offers live video support for patients.. This past year, the company made the ‘Inc. 5000’ list as ‘One of Fastest-Growing Private U.S. Companies.’ For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com.

Technology & ‘Touchpoints’

Once again National Sleep Therapy is ahead of the curve. We’re combining 21st century technology and regular patient-provider interaction – or ‘touchpoints’ – that we have proven can dramatically raise patient compliance and help them get a good night’s sleep. The numbers tell the story. We are seeing healthier patients, improved outcomes, continued insurance coverage for CPAP equipment, and potential reduced healthcare costs. 

We know it can be difficult for people to get used to the CPAP machine and to the mask that must be worn all night. But through our ‘keys to ZZZ’s’ -- a coordinated, integrated program – we have raised compliance as high as 84%, as compared to the national average of 50%, and attained a 96.4% satisfaction rate. Pleasant dreams!

Hands-on Experience Improves CPAP Success

Anyone can say they’re different. But at National Sleep Therapy we really are head and shoulders above others in the CPAP device and therapy world.

What is different about us are the nuances of how we do what we do. A great example is how we use the iPad for patient training and ongoing support. And we don’t just say we use an iPad – we also try to capture the subtleties of why. As NST President Eric Cohen says he learned during his work as an engineer with BMW, people like things that are tactile. An iPad allows NST patients to control the pacing of their CPAP training.

Educators have shown that people retain new information better when: (1) they’re able to proceed at their own pace; (2) they learn and retain better with visuals; (3) they feel they’re in control; (4) they’re engaged and feel special; and, (5) they can hold the teaching device in their own hands.

NST’s proprietary iPad app meets all these criteria and ensures that every patient receives a consistently high level of training. The end result: Better compliance and a better night’s sleep. And that’s what National Sleep Therapy is all about. Pleasant dreams!

Don’t Drive If Sleep Deprived: NTSB’s Renewed Focus

In October, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) started a renewed focus on drowsy driving, its causes and prevention. That’s because it’s conservatively estimated that 100,000 accidents and 6,000 fatal crashes each year can be attributed to drowsy driving. Nobody knows exactly how many of these accidents involve drivers with sleep apnea.

One frightening AAA statistic: 41% of motorists report "falling asleep or nodding off" while driving at least once in their lifetime.

Drowsy driving can result in the same level of impaired driving as driving drunk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone who doesn’t sleep for 24 hours will have the fatigue impairment equivalent to blood alcohol content above the legal limit in all states.

The NTSB says even just two hours less sleep than you need in one night is enough to potentially impair your driving the next day.

Bottom line: Don’t drive if you’re sleep deprived. And don’t ride with anyone who is.

If you or someone you know is always tired, snores at night, suffers from anxiety or mood swings, they may have sleep apnea. A sleep test can tell – and can be the first step to CPAP therapy – and a good night’s sleep.