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.
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