Friday 16th July 2010 marked day one of trading for ResSleep’s first franchise clinics in Stones Corner and Mt Gravatt, Brisbane, Queensland.

Alastair Bettle converted his existing CPAP store The Medical Equipment Centre to a ResSleep Clinic and also became the owner of the existing ResSleep Clinic in Mt Gravatt Central in Queensland.

Alastair has over a decade’s experience in the snoring and Sleep Apnea industry and brings a wealth of knowledge to the ResSleep national network. He will be partnering with a Sleep Physicians in Queensland to support on-site home testing sleep services. Read the rest of this entry

The National Weather Service has posted an excessive heat warning for several counties in the western part of Tennessee and temperatures of 100 degrees or more are expected to spread to the middle of the state, affecting cities like Nashville. For many, these temperatures are uncomfortable, but for others, excessively hot weather can threaten their very lives.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2001 over 300 people lost their lives from excessive heat exposure. In the period between 1979 and 2003, more people died from extreme heat in the U.S. than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes combined. Read the rest of this entry

Sleep apnea pillows are specially constructed to prevent any lateral pressure on the side of the CPAP (continuous positive airflow) mask that is worn by many sleep apnea sufferers. This special pillow generally has a “scooped out” configuration on each of the 4 sides. This gives support to the top and back of the head without giving any support in the mouth area. It is best used by those individuals that prefer to sleep on their sides, though it may be helpful for those that choose to sleep on their backs.

These sleep apnea pillows are produced by many different companies and are readily available at both retail and through the internet. They do not require a prescription, and they are not very expensive. Insurance companies may reimburse for the pillow purchase, but the individual will need to check in advance.

Ambulatory BP studies indicate that even small increases in BP, particularly nighttime BP levels, are associated with significant increases in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Accordingly, sleep-related diseases that induce increases in BP would be anticipated to substantially affect cardiovascular risk. Both sleep deprivation and insomnia have been linked to increases in incidence and prevalence of hypertension.

Likewise, sleep disruption attributable to restless legs syndrome increases the likelihood of having hypertension. Read the rest of this entry

[Press Release]-/-Servoflo Corporation of Lexington, Massachusetts is pleased to announce the MS5701 low pressure sensor with an I2C or SPI digital interface. Available in either differential or gauge models, the MS5701 can measure as low as ±2.5″ H2O up to ±10″ H2O in a differential version. The gauge model comes in ranges from +2″ H2O to +20″ H2O.

Using the latest in MEMS technology, the MS5701 has a low supply voltage of 1.8 to 3.6V with a 1 mA power consumption. Furthermore, the MS5701 pressure sensor has a high resolution of 0.0004″ of water (0.001 mbar) and a fast conversion of 0.54 milliseconds. A 24-bit pressure and temperature output allows for integration to any microcontroller. The I2C or SPI interface communicates up to 20 MHz. Read the rest of this entry

 [Press Release]/ July 29, 2010 – ROSEVILLE, CA,/ – Roseville dentist Preddis L. Sullivan DDS, a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, knows how effective an oral appliance can be in the treatment of a common sleep disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Many of his patients have found much needed relief through this simple treatment option.

New professional guidelines have provided further support for what both Dr. Sullivan and his patients already know: oral appliances, which are similar in appearance to an orthodontic retainer or a sports mouthguard, are an excellent treatment option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Read the rest of this entry

A new dental mouthpiece has been developed to help patients with sleep apnea.

The Full Breath Solution can be used to treat people with mild or moderate sleep apnea and is also beneficial for those who snore.

The mouthpiece device was invented by Dr Bryan Keropian.

Dr Keropian says,”the mouthpiece would provide an alternative to the continuous positive airway pressure machine, which some patients find uncomfortable and invasive”. Read the rest of this entry

If one does not get sleep or can’t stay asleep or waking up many times in the middle of the night, the person can count him to be suffering from sleep deprivation which has solution.

According to Carolyn Schur, founder of Associated Sleep services in Saskatoon, Sask a fatigue management specialist and a sleep teacher; it all begins with proper diagnosis.

She added that most people suffering from sleep disorders are insomniacs and two thirds of her patients can also be termed that. Read the rest of this entry

The “combination of confusing guidelines” on sleep apnea testing and treatment is a big puzzle in itself and is also a major cause of frustration among truckers and all other sleep apnea sufferes.

Dr. Rochelle Goldberg, president of the board of the American Sleep Apnea Association, the patient support organization with which the Truckers for a Cause chapter of A.W.A.K.E. is affiliated, wanted to set the record straight that currently there are only guidelines, not law, governing sleep apnea testing and treatment for truckers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is still collecting data and is likely to come up with new guidelines by the end of this year but no new measures are in place. Read the rest of this entry

Do you suffer from sleep apnea or have a family member or friend who suffers from it? If so, you are encouraged to attend this support group meeting on Monday, August 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John, 5005 Port St. John Parkway, (east of the I-95 Port St. John exit – see map). The meetings are held in the Conference Center by the south entrance (near the sleep lab). This is a free community service. Please call 321-268-6408 to register.  

At the August A.W.A.K.E. Support Group meeting you will learn about healthy eating from Board-Certified Geriatrician Pamela Tronetti, DO, AGSF, medical director of the Parrish Senior Consultation Center and the future Parrish Health Village.   Read the rest of this entry

Philips Respironics ComfortGel Blue nasal mask is used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).  Based on the company’s popular blue gel masks, this product is designed to help enhance patient comfort and compliance. 
 
Retaining the comfort and flexibility features found in previous gel masks, ComfortGel Blue incorporates several new features to make it the next generation of comfort and technology.  Included in this new product are an improved forehead pad designed to help reduce pressure points, a lower profile exhalation port with an integrated swivel that quietly directs air flow up and away from a bed partner, and a new gel cushion that gently conforms to facial features.  Used together with Philips Respironics System One Resistance Control, the mask will help deliver optimum PAP therapy and comfort. Read the rest of this entry

Ensure your sleep apnea equipment is working efficiently and effectively with one-on-one service from respiratory specialists at a free CPAP/BiPAP Clinic from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Elkhart General Home Medical Equipment, 225 E. Jackson Blvd.

Appointments take only 20 minutes and include: pressure checks, mask and supply evaluations, filter changes and new equipment displays.

The clinics are the third Tuesday of each month.

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can cause undesirable nasal symptoms such as congestion to obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients, which symptoms can be attenuated by the addition of heated humidification.

However, neither the nature of nasal symptoms nor the effect of heated humidification on nasal pathophysiology and pathology are convincingly known.

 Twenty patients with OSA on nasal CPAP who exhibited symptomatic nasal obstruction were randomized to receive either 3 weeks of CPAP treatment with heated humidification or 3 weeks of CPAP treatment with sham-heated humidification, followed by 3 weeks of the opposite treatment, respectively. Read the rest of this entry