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.

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!

Virtual Support Group Members Share Tips & Tricks For Living With CPAP

40 Participants in Monthly Session Sponsored by National Sleep Therapy 

(Issued June 2014) -- “Keep your mouth shut”, “Loosen up a bit,” and “Cheat as much as you can” were among the ‘10 Tips and Tricks‘ shared by a sleep expert during the recent monthly virtual support group ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive), a community service of National Sleep Therapy.

Some 40 people from nine states who suffer from sleep apnea participated in the pioneering session designed to improve CPAP efficacy and help users gain a better night’s sleep. CPAP machines (pronounced see-pap, an acronym for continuous positive airway pressure) use gentle airflow to help keep airways open for uninterrupted sleep. In recent years, many workplace and highway accidents have been traced to sleep-deprived individuals. Many may not be aware that they have sleep apnea.

Following the session, one participant posted, “Your company has helped me immensely and I thank you for these sessions and for your assistance.”

Session moderator Eric Cohen, President and co-founder of National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com), was joined by NST clinicians, Liz St. John, a Respiratory Therapist (RT) based in North Carolina, and Jody O'Farrell, a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) who is based at NST’s Maine office. The next ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ session will be on Wednesday, July 2, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET)

Cohen’s advice to ‘Keep your mouth shut” was a humorous way to remind CPAP users that they can improve compliance by using a different style mask, a chin strap or heated humidification . “Loosening up a bit” reminded users not to wear their mask too tight and to consider using special pads if marks or sores appear. His tip “Cheat as much as you can” offered ideas on improving comfort, mainly for new users.

While some 18 million Americans have sleep disordered breathing, less than a quarter have been diagnosed, so most sufferers are not aware they have sleep apnea. Two common symptoms are snoring and chronic fatigue. CPAP is the first treatment choice and the most widely used for effective nonsurgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ conference calls – free and open to all -- are held on the first Wednesday of each month. All are welcome to join the next session Wednesday, July 2, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# . The innovative support group sessions, offered as a community service by National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com).

Snoring and chronic fatigue can be strong indicators of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a health professional. Left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or depression. Fatigue can lead to highway and workplace accidents.

To listen to the entire recording, visit National Sleep Therapy's YouTube channel.

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

Not getting enough ZZZ’s? Virtual Support Group May Provide Solutions to Help You Sleep

Participants to Share ‘Tips & Tricks for a Better Night’s Sleep’

David letterman didn't really show CPAP tips

Anyone who always seems to be ‘catching up on their ZZZ’s’ might want to join the next session of ‘CPAP Talk-Live!’ a unique, free virtual support group for people with sleep disordered breathing (such as sleep apnea) set for Wednesday, June 4 from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). 

Session host Eric Cohen, NST President and co-founder, will answer questions that are phoned in or emailed in advance, and will provide ‘Tips & Tricks for a Better Night’s Sleep.’ Participants are encouraged to call and share their own favorite tips.

The sessions, held on the first Wednesday evening of each month, are a community service of National Sleep Therapy (NST), a leading provider of sleep therapy products and services with offices throughout New England. In the May session, some 50 individuals from a dozen states joined the conversation.

Some 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea - and most don’t know it. Sleep apnea is a chronic, serious condition that disrupts sleep, can affect one’s quality of life, and may even shorten one’s life. CPAP machines are an effective way to enable the user to attain the all-important deep sleep.

The call-in sessions are free and open to everyone. To join the discussion, just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Advance registration is requested. To sign up and for more information: www.cpaptalklive.com