One of Your New Year’s Resolutions Should Be ‘More Sleep’

Free Jan. 6 ‘CPAP Chat’ Virtual Support Group Focus: Getting the Most from Your CPAP

“It’s All About the Mask”

Taking care of your sleep issues may be a good a New Year’s resolution to make sure your CPAP is as comfortable as it can be.

Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com) based in Norwood, Mass. and Concord, NH, says the start of the new year is the ideal time to address one often-overlooked, misunderstood condition: sleep apnea. “If you use a CPAP device to help you sleep better, this is a good time to update your equipment and make sure you have the best mask possible.” For example, he says there are new CPAP’s that send data to your iPhone to warn of air leaks and help fine-tune and improve sleep therapy. CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is the most popular therapy prescribed for those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Cohen hosts ‘CPAP Chat,’ (www.cpapchat.org), a one-of-a-kind monthly virtual support group for people with sleep issues. Sessions are free, anonymous and open to all. During the January edition “It’s All About the Mask”– Wednesday, January 6 at 7 pm (ET) -- participants will be invited to discuss one of the most common CPAP usage issues- How to find the right mask. CPAP users will learn how to eliminate mask discomfort and marks on the face, and have an opportunity to ask about latest CPAP equipment and therapy With CPAP product expert, Amy Michaud from ResMed. CPAP users can learn about the latest CPAP machines and benefits, as well as myAir™, a new web program that syncs with the CPAP machine, tells users how they slept, and helps them stay on track during sleep apnea treatment.

Some 20 million Americans have sleep apnea, but only a small percent have been diagnosed. The National Sleep Foundations says adults need 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Left untreated, chronic fatigue can lead to serious conditions such as anxiety, high blood pressure, heart disease, memory loss, and diabetes, as well as workplace or highway accidents.”

“For questions about sleep and CPAP therapy, make a New Year resolution to join the conversation January 6th at 7 pm (ET),’” says Cohen.

To participate in the next edition of CPAP Chat on Wednesday, January 6, 2016, from 7 – 8 pm (ET), just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Questions may be submitted in advance either via Facebook or email info@cpapchat.org . (Free sessions are always the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm – ET. One participant in this session will be randomly drawn to receive a $25 Amazon gift card, and two pre-registered participants will win a free ResMed CPAP mask. For more info and to register to win a mask, visit www.cpapchat.org.

By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

Do you Suffer from Dry Mouth?

One of the most common questions we get is "How Can I Prevent Dry Mouth?"

Mouth dryness when using a nasal mask is usually caused by air escaping through an open mouth. This can helped by using a chin strap, or if this is not effective, switching to a full face mask (which covers the nose and mouth).

In patients using a full face mask, some mouth dryness can also be felt especially at higher CPAP levels. This can be alleviated by use or increase in the heated humidification, and ensuring that there is not excessive mask leak.

In addition to these equipment changes, you may want to use oral tablets of gel that keep your mouth moist throughout the night. Two such products that patients swear by are Xylimelt tablets and Biotene gel. Both of which are slow-release saliva stimulants and oral lubricants that provide hours of relief from dry mouth. These can be found at your local Walgreens, CVS or other well stocked pharmacy.

It's Time to Take Advantage of Deductibles and FSA Accounts

If you need supplies and want to use your insurance benefit to pay for them, you might want to order them today. Many deductibles reset January 1. 

If you have an HSA or FSA account, you might have a "use-it, or lose-it "plan. Use your health benefit before it's gone.

 

This will be our last reminder of the year regarding deductibles and the new year. If you already filled out this form, there is no need to do it again.

 

If you haven't ordered anything for over 2 months and may need something in January, Feb, or March, you should order what you might need now before your large deductible takes effect and you have to pay for your own supplies.

 

Keep in mind: Ordering supplies can involve your sending compliance data, and NST getting a Prior Approval from your insurance company. Please allow sufficient time for all of this to be completed. We work like the Dickens to get your orders shipped asap, but receiving data and approvals can take some time.

 

If you want to order supplies, click the button and we'll check your insurance benefits and get your order going.

 

Thank you for choosing to work with National Sleep Therapy. We always appreciate it!

Surprising List: Some Foods Keep You Up. Others Help You Sleep.

Sleep Support Group Host Tests Theory: Cake and Ice Cream Do Disrupt Sleep!

People from five states in search of ways to get a better night’s sleep joined in the December edition of ‘CPAP Chat.’

One individual who didn’t sleep well the night after the program was host Eric Cohen who wanted to test research that says eating ice cream before bedtime would disrupt his sleep. Cohen confirms that he “took one for the team,” devouring a generous serving of chocolate cake and ice cream before going to bed. “I went to bed very happy, but that gluttony did indeed lead to a restless night’s sleep,” he smiled.

CPAP Chat is a town meeting-style virtual support group (www.cpapchat.org) -- the only program of its kind for people suffering from sleep apnea. Held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm (ET), sessions are free and open to all. During the recent session – the 21st -- Cohen, president of National Sleep Therapy, asked participants about their New Year resolutions related to more restful sleep – such as diet, exercise and proper use of CPAP and other sleep therapy devices. Cohen shared a surprising list of foods that may interfere with sleep, including:

• Wine – prevents entering deep REM sleep stages (drink 4 – 6 hours before bedtime!)
• Green Tea – Its caffeine can trigger your nervous system. Also increases frequency of nighttime bathroom breaks.
• Chicken –High-protein foods can interfere with circadian rhythm.
• Ice cream – Your body needs time to burn the fat in fatty foods. You’ll be restless.

**A good rule of thumb: Finish eating three hours before bedtime.**

Also discussed were foods that can help you get a good night’s sleep:

• Warm milk – Contains tryptophan which becomes serotonin, producing a calming effect (not too much or you’ll need to interrupt your sleep for a bathroom break!)
• Cherries – Contains melatonin that controls the internal body clock
• Bananas – Contain magnesium and potassium, natural muscle relaxants. The carbs make you feel sleepy.
• Almonds – Contain magnesium, and help regulate blood sugar while asleep.

Participants and NST staff revealed their New Year resolutions and hopes for 2016. Sleep apnea has been called a national epidemic. Some 20 million American suffer from it though only a small percent have been diagnosed. The most popular therapy involves CPAP (pronounced see-pap) --acronym for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure -- that uses a gentle air flow to keep breathing passages open.

The next edition of CPAP Chat is set for Wednesday JANUARY 6, from 7 – 8 pm (ET). To join the conversation, just prior to the session (always on the first Wednesday of each month,) call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Questions may be submitted in advance either via Facebook or email info@cpapchat.org . For more info, visit www.cpapchat.org. 

-Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

Telltale Signs You May Have Sleep Apnea Is Focus of Unique ‘CPAP Chat’ Virtual Support Group on Dec. 2

National Sleep Therapy Asks Callers & Staff to Share Their New Year’s Resolutions

For many, a New Year’s resolution might involve a promise to do one or more acts of self-improvement: eating healthier, exercising, thinking more positively, changing bad habits.

“If you’re always tired, the start of the new year is an ideal time to resolve to find out if you have sleep apnea,” says Eric Cohen, President of National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com). It’s estimated that 20 million Americans have sleep apnea -- yet most have yet to be tested.

Cohen hosts the popular ‘CPAP Chat,’ the world’s only monthly virtual support group for anyone interested in sleep issues. The 21st monthly edition of CPAP Chat is set for Wednesday, December 2nd from 7 – 8 pm (ET). For this session, participants will be asked to share their resolutions, and will have a chance to ‘meet’ NST staff who will share what they hope to do better in 2016.

Cohen says if a person has any two of these symptoms, chances are they have sleep apnea:

• Daytime sleepiness / Chronic fatigue
• Hypertension
• Snoring (especially if it disturbs others)
• If someone has witnessed that you stop breathing during the night 

CPAP Chat attracts laypeople and health care professionals. Sessions are free, anonymous and open to all. Participants hail from 8 or more states.

If sleep apnea is suspected, a person should contact their doctor and discuss whether to have a sleep study. National Sleep Therapy is locally owned and works closely with local doctors to provide the best sleep therapy possible. The most popular treatment for sleep apnea is CPAP therapy.

Studies show that prolonged lack of regular, deep sleep can lead to heart diseases, hypertension, memory loss, diabetes, and can result in workplace or highways accidents. Eric Cohen says “Taking care of your sleep apnea is a great New Year’s resolution and a wonderful holiday gift to yourself and your loved ones.”

To join the conversation during the next edition of CPAP Chat on Wednesday, December 2 from 7 – 8 pm (ET), just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Questions may be submitted in advance either via Facebook or email info@cpapchat.org . (Sessions are always the first Wednesday of each month at 7 pm - ET), For more info, visit www.cpapchat.org 

 -Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com