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.
Big thanks for this informative post. You can prevent this sleep disease from progressing to a life-threatening degree by doing these 5 Healthy Habits That Help Treat Sleep Apnea
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