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
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
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.
Thanks to CPAP We’re Sleeping Peacefully Together Again!
Four years ago, when Nydia Glander was 72 and traveling in Spain with Don, her husband of 52 years, a health scare convinced her to visit her doctor upon their return to Holden Beach, North Carolina.
A stress test led to a sleep test, which showed Nydia had sleep apnea with over 400 apneas (breathing cessation/ gasping for air episodes) in a 5-hour period – not a restful night! These episodes may not awaken the person, but they do prevent deep REM sleep that’s so vital.
Like Nydia, most of the estimated 20 million Americans with sleep apnea don’t know they have it. They may be in bed for 8 hours each night, but are puzzled by chronic fatigue and other health issues brought on by lack of sleep. Snoring is the most visible (audible!) symptom.
“My snoring was so bad, it drove Don to sleep in another room,” say Nydia, a Cuban native. The couple who met in high school in Indiana and married while in college, lived in several states due to Don’s work. Nydia used her native Spanish to work as a translator for a big pharmaceutical maker, and since retiring, works as a translator for her County Health Dept., translating materials for Hispanic residents in the Myrtle Beach area.
“My mother was a snorer and I’m sure she had sleep apnea, though it wasn’t a named malady yet,” she says. “I’m sure many of my relatives have it, and the few who were tested and tried using CPAP gave up too soon. So when I was diagnosed, I promised Don and myself that I would succeed and beat this fatigue. It’s tricky getting used to the mask, and I had to convert from a stomach sleeper to a back sleeper,” Nydia smiles. “But I put my mind to it.”
There are numerous benefits to getting that all-important deep sleep again, says Nydia. “I’m dreaming again. I missed that. I have the energy of a 40 or 50 year-old -- Don wishes I didn’t! I can keep up with my two grandchildren. We travel. I’m active in our church, collect food and clothes for the needy, and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. I love my weekly classes in pilates, yoga and Zumba, and we’re active volunteers with the local turtle patrol.”
CPAP hasn’t slowed Nydia down. “I haven’t missed a night in the four years since I got my device. Even when we travel in the U.S. or overseas, I take my CPAP with me. I’m probably National Sleep Therapy’s best representative in all of North Carolina. Whenever the topic of a bad night’s sleep comes up, I sing the praises of my CPAP and National Sleep.”
“It’s gone so well, I’m back to being a stomach sleeper. But best of all, Don has moved back into our bedroom,” Nydia winks.
By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com
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National Sleep Therapy sponsors a free ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ virtual support session on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET). It is open to all, including CPAP users, people who have sleep issues, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the topic. For more information: 888.867.8840, support@nstherapy.com or cpaptalklive.com Company website: www.nstherapy.com. Also see: https://www.facebook.com/nstherapy.
Photo Note: Nydia loves her dogs: “The little dog is Mia....because our brains were ‘missing in action’ when we bought her in Miami. She sleeps in her dog bed and takes turns in our bed also. Ellie does not care where she sleeps as long as she is near her masters. When I started using the face mask, Mia used to bark at me every night!” That’s husband Don holding Ellie.
Former Bodybuilding Champ Advises Sleep Apnea Patients
National Sleep Therapy Event Draws Sleep-Deprived from 8 States
A former international bodybuilding champ who was diagnosed with sleep apnea 10 years ago fielded a range of heavyweight questions during a recent ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ virtual support session that drew people with sleep issues from eight states. Participants represented all of New England plus Virginia and Maryland.
There was no ‘heavy lifting’ for the erudite ‘Big Mike’ Katz who gained fame for his role in the 1977 ‘Pumping Iron’ documentary starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He also briefly played for the New York Jets. Now 70, Katz wants to tell the world how CPAP impacted his life, and wants to encourage and inspire others to get tested. And if CPAP is prescribed, he urges them to keep with the therapy.Wherever he goes, the well-rested and jovial Katz takes along his CPAP: “I know the value of a good night’s sleep. But most important, I don’t want to sleep through my grandkids’ childhood – waking up when they’re 16, wondering where the time went.”
Some questions were phoned in, others came via email:
- A 72 year-old caller, also a former football player and weightlifter, talked about his need to cut back on his exercise routine. Something Katz knows a lot about, suggested that the caller, with his doctor’s OK, should continue his training program with lighter weights but more reps, perhaps 15-20. “Set a realistic bar so you don’t allow failure, and don’t rest. Keep up a circuit cardio weight training routine,” said Katz, a personal trainer who still vigorously works out. “The key: Less rest between exercises. Make it more aerobic.”
- Another participant asked if sleep apnea can be cured. Host Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy, replied that factors that change, such as weight loss, can improve the condition, but CPAP is a treatment, not a cure. Cohen emphasized, “It’s critical to resolve your apneas, regularly check your sleep records, and stay in touch with your sleep doctor.
- One questioner wanted secrets to getting comfortable with her sleep apnea regimen and equipment. Cohen, a trained engineer who has invented products for the sleep industry among others, said, “For some folks it’s not easy getting used to the CPAP mask and machine. Whatever the difficulty, there a variety of headgear and masks. You need to try until you find the right fit. It’s worth the effort.”
- A 64 year-old Vietnam vet with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome said he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep since age 18: “I’ve used CPAP for five years but I still can’t go through a full night’s sleep and I’m always tired.” Katz suggested the caller see his doctor for pressure adjustments based on his CPAP device’s data readings. Katz said, “My machine’s pressure has been adjusted many times and my sleep company has recalibrated the CPAP machine when called for.” Cohen added that “there may be other factors impacting sleep. This is very common and something you should see a sleep specialist about.”
Some 18 million Americans have sleep apnea but only a small percent have been diagnosed. Left untreated, lack of proper sleep can result in accidents and serious illness.
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The free ‘CPAP Talk Live!’ program, held on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm (ET), is open to individuals who use CPAP for sleep apnea or other sleep issues, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the topic. For more information: 888.867.8840, support@nstherapy.com or cpaptalklive.com Company website: www.nstherapy.com. Also see: https://www.facebook.com/nstherapy.
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