Sleep Apnea Disorder

By Jobee Knight

Women in the pre-menopause and menopause years are more and more finding themselves experiencing symptoms of chronic insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, migraine headaches, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Uzzi Reiss, M.D., author of Natural Hormone Balance for Women, says: “Some of the above reactions occur nearly simultaneously whenever the level of estrogen falls.”
 
Hormone drugs, nutritional remedies, and lifestyle changes are some of the options available to women. Consumer Affairs.com reports that while 70 percent of women entering menopause will have some symptoms, most symptoms can be managed with healthy lifestyle improvements. In their recent report, they do not recommend hormone drugs for women who have an elevated risk of heart disease, stroke or cancer - which is 35 to 50 percent of all women 50 and older.
 
As menopause approaches, another emerging link between estrogen decline and its symptoms is the aspect of mineral deficiency. Mildred Seeling, M.D. describes this in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. She says “Estrogen enhances magnesium utilization and uptake by soft tissues and bone, and may explain the resistance of young women to heart disease and osteoporosis — as well as the increased prevalence of these diseases when estrogen production ceases.” [Read the rest of this entry...]

[Press Release]-Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

Apnea monitors constitute an integral part of patient monitoring systems and the alternate care markets. These devices are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in hospitals and alternate care sites such as sleep clinics. These monitors incorporate indirect methods of apnea identification including monitoring of heart rates and other parameters associated with respiration. Over the years additional features such as heart rate detection, noise elimination, automatic sensitivity modification, and signal-processing algorithms have been incorporated into monitors to provide complementary functionalities.

These and other market data and trends are presented in “Apnea Monitors: A Global Market Perspective” by BizAcumen, Inc. Our reports are designed to be most comprehensive in geographic coverage and vertical market analyses. [Read the rest of this entry...]

[Press Release]-The Infoshop by Global Information would like to present a market research report, “U.S. Markets for Home Healthcare Products” by Medtech Insight.

Valued at more than $4.3 billion, the home healthcare products market is one of the largest and most stable in the United States (U.S.) due to the burgeoning aging population and corresponding increase in lifespan, the critical need for cost-effective medical equipment for patients suffering from long-term chronic conditions, and the increasing usage of technology by the baby boomer population. Additional factors include younger, disabled patients who do not require hospitalization and those recovering from acute medical conditions who need only temporary or intermittent home-based medical care.

This dynamic, new report from Medtech Insight includes analyses of products, current and emerging markets, competitors, and opportunities in the U.S. homecare products market. Product areas include: respiratory therapy (mechanical ventilators, oxygen therapy equipment, nebulizers, obstructive sleep apnea therapy products); infusion therapy (peripherally inserted central catheters, and many more. [Read the rest of this entry...]

GLEN BURNIE, Md., [Press Release]- Some 18-20 million Americans are at risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and of those, only 5 to 10 percent have been diagnosed.  Studies prove that fatality is a major risk of undiagnosed and untreated OSA; however, once detected, OSA can be readily and successfully treated.

Historically, OSA diagnosis has required an overnight stay in a sleep lab, with a technician directly monitoring a patient’s breathing.  Many who suspect they suffer from OSA are unwilling to undergo such testing or have a difficult time reaching a state of natural sleep in a lab setting – resulting in variable or inconclusive test results.

As an alternative, Medicare, a growing number of insurance plans, and other medical organizations have recently approved the use of Home Sleep Tests (HST) as the clinically-accurate and cost-effective way to improve patients’ access to diagnosis and potentially life-saving treatment.  The NovaSom^® Diagnostic System, from Sleep Solutions, Inc., is the first nationally available, full-service home testing system that was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for diagnostic evaluation of adults with possible sleep apnea. [Read the rest of this entry...]

The skilled Ear, Nose, and Throat Physicians of the Atlanta Snoring Institute pay close attention to any new advances in medical technology that enable them to perform more effective, faster, and less painful treatments for their patients. Taking advantage of the latest knowledge and equipment allows the ASI team to focus on providing for the individual patient’s needs in the best way possible. However, the doctors of the Atlanta Snoring Institute strive not only to learn about advances in snoring treatment (http://www.atlantasnoring.com/snoring.html), but also consider it their responsibility to share this knowledge with their colleagues and patients.

Dr. Howard Herman, M.D. was given the opportunity to talk about an excellent advance in performing oral procedures during a live web cast that was viewed by many in the snoring and sleep apnea treatment (http://www.atlantasnoring.com/surgical-procedures-for-sleep-apnea.html) community in this past month. Sponsored by Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., a division of Johnson and Johnson, Dr. Herman joined with other doctors to talk about the future of oral treatments like the tonsillectomy and the Pillar Procedure (http://www.atlantasnoring.com/pillar-procedure-treatment.html). [Read the rest of this entry...]

WEST ROCKHILL — Grand View Hospital wants you to sleep and heal well.

On Feb. 1, a new wound care center at the outpatient center of Grand View and the Stoneridge Sleep Center will officially open to patients.

The $635,000 wound care center will specialize in treatment of chronic and non-healing wounds. The 3,500-square-foot center occupies former warehouse space at the outpatient center at Lawn Avenue and Route 309, and is affiliated with Diversified Clinical Services, a major wound care management company.
Patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, sleepwalking, sleep-eating, narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and other sleep disorders can receive diagnosis and treatment at the center.

“It’s typically a two-night procedure. The first night is the diagnosis and the second night is the treatment,” McMaster said.
McMaster said the biggest issues now are the number of sleep disorders being identified and the number of people suffering in the community that are underserved.

The sleep center is located at the Stoneridge Professional Center, 670 Lawn Avenue.

Sixty million Americans will be sleep deprived in 2010. I am constantly inundated with requests for medications to “sleep better”. Yes, these medications will help you get to sleep. But sleep better? No way!

Here’s what happens to your brain on benzodiazepines (benzos)- an umbrella term for the class of drugs above. Ready?

Our brain is a maelstrom of very busy nerve cells chattering away using chemicals that excite or inhibit each other. The mother of all inhibitory chemicals in the brain is GABA and benzos work by “up”ing GABA’s effect. Newer drugs like zolpidem (Ambien) also work the same way. So, in theory, a little benzo makes you mellow, a little more makes you sleepy, a little bit more makes you pass out- you get the idea. Reality however is another story. (Read the Rest of the article in complete…  )

By Jobee Knight

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) reports that an estimated 6,000 US women reach menopause each day, which translates to over 2 million women every year. The average age of natural menopause, which is the point of a woman’s last menstrual period, is 51.4. The Women’s Health Initiative study, which followed 16,608 women being given hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discovered a high risk of breast cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke from the use of these drugs. As a result, more and more women today are seeking the use of natural remedies for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, migraine headaches, anxiety, fatigue, and insomnia.
 
It may not be generally known that vitamin E is a proven remedy for hot flashes, although this nutrient is famous for it’s health benefits to glands and organs.  Adelle Davis, the first nutritionist to base her recommendations on science-based studies, says: “During the menopause the need for vitamin E soars ten to fifty times over that previously required.  Hot flashes and night sweats often disappear when 50 to 500 units of vitamin E are taken daily, but they quickly recur should the vitamin be stopped.” 
 
One study supporting vitamin E is from the University of Iran, published in Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation in 2007.  400 IU of vitamin E in a softgel cap was given to the participants daily for four weeks.  A diary was used to measure hot flashes before the study and at the end.  The researchers concluded that vitamin E is effective and is a recommended treatment for hot flashes.
[Read the rest of this entry...]

(Press Release)-A phase 2 study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the investigational drug Qnexa for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) showed statistically significant improvement in the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) in study participants with OSA treated with the drug for 28 weeks. Qnexa-treated patients in the study also experienced significant weight loss and improvements in blood pressure and overnight blood oxygen levels.

The majority (69%) of patients treated with Qnexa for 28 weeks had a reduction in sleep apnea events. Qnexa treatment reduced the number of apnea/hypopnea events from a mean of 46 events per hour of sleep to 14. Placebo patients saw a reduction from a mean 44 events per hour of sleep to 27.

“We know that substantial weight loss can significantly improve sleep apnea. These phase 2 data suggest that Qnexa, if approved for this indication, may be a promising treatment for OSA. We have submitted the study results for presentation at a scientific meeting. We also look forward to meeting with the FDA to discuss the results of this study and to determine the regulatory path for approval,” said Leland Wilson, chief executive officer of VIVUS.

The phase 2 study (OB-204) was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group trial including 45 obese men and women (BMI 30 to 40 kg/m2, inclusive), 30 to 65 years of age. Patients enrolled had a baseline AHI greater than or equal to 15. In addition to receiving active or placebo drug, all patients were provided with an intensive lifestyle modification program.

Additionally, Qnexa-treated patients lost 10.2% body weight, or 23.8 pounds in 28 weeks—compared to 4.3% or 10.4 pounds for patients treated with placebo. Mean overnight oxygen saturation was also significantly improved in Qnexa patients (P <0.014 active versus placebo).

The data follow a December 2009 submission of VIVUS’s New Drug Application to the US Food and Drug Administration for Qnexa for the treatment of obesity, including weight loss and maintenance of weight loss, in patients who are obese or overweight with comorbidities.

The American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) is anticipating a large turnout for its first Sleep Apnea & Trucking Conference, on May 11-12 in Baltimore. The event is focused on providing accurate and reliable information for trucking company management.

“Based on significant industry interest in this issue, we expect that this conference will be widely attended,” said Christie Cullinan, director of workplace and fleet safety for the American Trucking Association, and conference advisory board member.

“Our focus is on providing education and awareness to the trucking community about an issue that is rife with misinformation and confusion. ASAA will do everything we can to accommodate those who want to attend, including placing a limit on the number of exhibitors to ensure that anyone who wants to attend is able to,” said Ed Grandi, executive director for ASAA. Grandi urges those who wish to attend to register early.