FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alert! Annoying Snoring Could Indicate Serious Underlying Condition
Be aware of untreated sleep apnea during Better Sleep Month in May
National Football League legend Reggie White died from it. And many residents of Metropolitan Milwaukee may unknowingly suffer from this condition. It’s called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep at night. Fifteen to 20 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and by the end of the decade, it’s expected to affect 1 out of every 5 adults.
A Northshore sleep diagnostic facility is working to educate people and is offering a free screening to help uncover the problem.
“We’re proud to offer, as a Community Awareness Project, a free ApneaLink™ sleep screening,” says Karen Block, administrator of the Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center. “Any individual who feels that they are not sleeping well, wake up feeling so tired that they could go back to bed, or an individual whose bed partner tells them that they snore, gasp for air and/or stop breathing at night would be a good candidate for the ApneaLink™. They simply call us and make an appointment to pick up the device. We instruct them on how to use it. They take it home, use it that night and bring it back the next day.
This device records their breathing pattern while they sleep, including any snoring, apneas (complete obstructions of the airway), hypopneas (partial obstructions of the airway) and flow limitations.”
ApneaLink™ prints out a report that clearly shows whether the individual’s night time breathing is in the normal range or if they suspect a pathological breathing disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The report is then made available to the individual as well as to their primary care physician who can then write an order for a complete overnight sleep study at the center. If the individual doesn’t have a primary care physician, he or she can see one of Endeavor’s sleep physicians.
“If they’re concerned, we advise people to get tested,” says Block. “Sometimes an individual needs to have a little nudge to come in for a complete overnight sleep study and this screening tool will provide the appropriate nudge. Our simple screening test can save your life.”
Todd Brame, referred to Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center by his doctor, had common sleep complaints when he arrived. “I was feeling exhausted,” said Brame. “I had trouble falling asleep at work, and at parties.” In the middle of an overnight sleep study, Brame was placed on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) nasal mask. He says the results were dramatic. “I noticed a change the next day. It’s such a dramatic improvement in your life. Not being tired is a wonderful thing.” Brame uses his CPAP nightly.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is also found in children and has been linked to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Parents of children with this disorder, who have pursued sleep diagnostic testing, report seeing an improvement following treatment in both their child’s behavior and school performance.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferers can share common characteristics such as: snoring, obesity, large neck circumference (16 inches or greater in females and 17 inches or greater in males), and a history of hypertension. Many sufferers are unaware. It’s usually a partner or roommate that identifies a problem of excessive snoring often characterized by moments of silence, and then gasping as the individual breathes in air. Although a partner may attempt to solve the problem by simply sleeping in another room, this doesn’t help the individual who has the disorder. Left untreated, Obstructive Sleep Apnea can result in serious health concerns which include: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, sexual dysfunction, fatigue-related motor vehicle accidents and work related accidents, and an overall decrease in their quality of life due to excessive daytime sleepiness.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is just one of the many diagnoses that can be determined by having a complete overnight sleep study at Endeavor. Others include Insomnia, Restless Leg Syndrome, Narcolepsy and Cardiac disease.
Besides addressing sleep disorders, Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center offers outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Endeavor Therapy and Sleep Center offers a state-of-the-art facility, a professional, registered/licensed staff, and convenience, located just off I-43 in Mequon. Patients receive one-on-one care, with billing and cost information provided upfront. Call to schedule the free SleepApnea™ test, or for more information: 262-241-8022.
Sleep Apnea Test
Answer YES or NO to the following eight questions below.
- Do you snore loudly?
- Does your bedroom partner complain about your snoring?
- Does your snoring wake you up at night?
- Do you or your bedroom partner notice that you make gasping/choking noises during sleep?
- Do you have a dry mouth, sore throat or headache in the morning?
- Do you often fall asleep during the daytime when you want to stay awake?
- Are you often tired during the day?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
If you answered YES to all or most of the questions above, you may have sleep apnea.
Contact
Karen Block
Phone: 262-241-8892
Email: karenb@endeavortherapy.com