Online Sleep Apnea Screen Available

The Sleep Wellness Institute, Wisconsin’s largest independent sleep disorders laboratory, now offers a free, online service that allows web users to determine if they are at risk for obstructive sleep apnea.

The screening service is a combination of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Berlin sleep apnea questionnaire, and a body mass (BMI) calculator.  The Epworth helps determine a person’s daytime sleepiness level, while the Berlin is focused on behaviors that are typical of sleep apnea.  The BMI calculator is based on height and weight … a BMI of 30 or greater is considered one of the risk factors for sleep apnea.

The interactive screening tool can be found on the Sleep Wellness Institute’s website on the home page.

Sleep apnea is a common, yet serious sleep disorder that can lead to or exacerbate other health problems such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and more.  It affects approximately 18 million Americans and is typified by snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, and daytime exhaustion.

Steve Gardner

Preliminary Results Show Treatment of Sleep Apnea Can Lower Healthcare Costs

Over the last two years, the Sleep Wellness Institute has partnered with Kleen Test Products (KTP) to study the effect of screening, testing and treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) on a volunteer segment of their employee population. Through numerous benefits programs, Kleen Test rewards employees for healthy lifestyles and offers many programs to improve the well-being of all who work for them. This study offered a unique opportunity to learn about OSA, provide treatment to those employees affected and determine if OSA increased employee/employer healthcare costs.

KTP has a workforce of 585 employees. Our original recruitment target was to get sixty volunteer employees to come forward – with 20 in each group. After recruitment we were able to start with 65 employees (representing 11% of the company’s workforce.)
To cost-effectively determine which employees had OSA, we initially used an at-home portable ApneaLink screening device for one night. Those employees who showed potential OSA from the results of the ApneaLink screening were given an overnight sleep study. The results of each sleep study were interpreted by a board certified sleep physician to confirm if the employee had OSA. The results of the sleep studies demonstrated that 33 of the KTP employees showed no evidence of OSA, 27 showed evidence of OSA, and 5 subjects withdrew from the project.

We are still in the process of collecting data regarding healthcare usage during the 12 months each employee was in the study. Our targeted completion date is October 8, 2009. Once all data have been collected we will be able to make assertions and findings that are statistically significant. However, of the 65 employee volunteers there are 11 employees diagnosed with OSA using their CPAP devices for 4 or more hours per night, preliminary data shows a trend of reduction in healthcare spending. (To date, the reduction in spending in this group of employees is down from an average of approximately $3,900 per employee to $205 per employee.) The premise of the trial does appear to be valid – patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea use more healthcare than non-OSA sufferers. During the next year, we will continue to collect compliance and healthcare spending data to determine what effects CPAP set-up and screening have on healthcare costs of OSA patients.

Luke Goodpaster
Director of Research

Tips to Help You Fall Asleep … and Stay Asleep

People often ask us what we  recommend to help them fall asleep.  Here are some tips that will help you develop habits that can help you to fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Ensure adequate exposure to natural light during the day.
• Exercise in the morning or late afternoon can promote good sleep.
• Stay away from large meals close to bedtime.
• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol 4 hours before bedtime.
• Avoid using electronic devices (computers, cell phone texting, video games) 1 hour before bed.
• Keep a notepad and pencil by your bed to write down any thoughts that may wake you up at night.
• Turn your alarm clock around so it’s not facing you; do not look at the clock during the night as this can cause more stress and anxiety about your sleep.
• If you wake up during the night and can’t fall back asleep, get out of bed (do NOT use the computer).  Go back to bed only when you feel sleepy again.
• Associate your bed with sleep.  It’s not a good idea to use your bed to watch TV, listen to the radio or read.
• Make sure your sleep environment is pleasant and relaxing.  The bed should be comfortable and the room should not be too hot or cold, or too bright.
• Establish set times for waking and sleeping.

Mark Stoiber, President

The Sleep Wellness Institute

Does Snoring Mean I have Sleep Apnea?

A question we are often asked is “I snore, so do I have sleep apnea?”

Loud snoring is certainly one of the signs of sleep apnea.  But an important point is that while all people who have sleep apnea snore, not all people who snore have sleep apnea.

Other symptoms of sleep apnea, in addition to snoring, include pauses in breathing during sleep, gasping and choking, and can include frequent overnight urination, morning sore throat, and morning headaches.  Equally important is how you feel during the day.  If you snore at night and feel exhausted during the day, then you might have sleep apnea.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is very helpful in determining if you need to see your doctor or a sleep specialist.  Basically, you should read the following questions and answer 0, 1, 2, or 3.  0 means that there is NEVER a chance in dozing during this situation.  1 = a SLIGHT chance of dozing; 2=a MODERATE chance of dozing; and 3=a HIGH chance of dozing.

The questions are:

• Do you doze off while sitting and reading?

• While watching television?

• Sitting in a public place, i.e., a theater or meeting?

• As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break?

• Lying down to rest in the afternoon?

• Sitting and talking to someone?

• Sitting quietly after lunch (without alcohol)?

• In a car while stopped in traffic?

Total your scores for each question.  If your total score is:

0-7: you have a normal amount of sleepiness

8-9: you have an average amount of sleepiness

10-15:  you may be excessively sleepy depending on the situation and you may want to seek medical attention

16-up:  you are excessively sleepy and should seek medical attention

This simple test can be helpful in determining if you need to seek help.  If you score in the upper ranges, print a copy of the test and take it with you to your doctor.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

Top Ten Tips for CPAP Success

Tips courtesy of CPAP2GO in Waukesha and Franklin, Wis.

1. Wash your CPAP mask daily (warm soapy water or Citrus II mask cleaner and wipes).
2. Check your filter every other week — clean or replace if dirty.
3. Do not over tighten your mask; it may cause leaks.
4. If you are tightening your mask because of leaks or comfort, your seal may be broken or needs to be replaced.
5. Replace your mask and accessories every 6 months.
6. Follow up with your physician as instructed.
7. Keep in contact with your CPAP provider to ensure your success.
8. Use distilled water for your water chamber.
9. If you have any dryness in your nose or throat, try increasing the humidity.
10. Use your CPAP all night, every night … and while napping

Visit CPAP2GO on the web at www.cpap2go.net

Cody Glorioso

DME Director

New CPAP2GO Store Opens Today

The Sleep Wellness Institute is opening its second CPAP2GO store today at 2320 East Moreland Blvd.,  in Waukesha (Greater Milwaukee Area).  Like the first CPAP2GO store in Franklin, the new store features a wide variety of brand name CPAP machines, masks, and accessories.  It also offers the 30/30 Advantage … a choice of more than 30 different masks and a 30 night comfort and fit guarantee.  Most of the products offered are covered by insurance.

The store is open Monday-Saturday, with evening hours Monday-Friday, as well.  The Waukesha store is located just off HWY 94, directly in front of Blain’s Farm and Fleet. Either store may be reached by calling 414-761-CPAP (2727).  Or you can just walk in, browse, and talk with the CPAP experts who staff the store.  Your questions are always welcome.  Check us on the web at www.cpap2go.net.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

Reggie White Foundation to Roast Sportscaster

Lance Allan of TODAY’S TMJ4, the NBC affiliate in Milwaukee, is one good sport!  Not only does he do a great job of reporting sports news, he’s also a great sport, himself, for being willing to be “roasted” in a benefit for the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research & Education Foundation on April 18 at the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee.

The evening is sure to be great fun, and proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s mission of providing sleep apnea diagnosis and treatment to people whose socio-economic status makes it impossible for them to access the healthcare services they need.

For more information on the Roast, and how one lucky person can actually participate in roasting Lance, please visit the Foundation’s website.

FDA Rejects Insomnia Drug … For Now

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Complete Response Letter to Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, for the company’s New Drug Application (NDA) for its insomnia drug Silenor (doxepin).  After review, the FDA determined that the NDA “cannot be approved in its present form.”   The FDA raised a number of issues relating to the interpretation of the efficacy data contained in the Silenor NDA.

Although the FDA noted that there were no adverse events observed in the clinical studies included in the NDA that would preclude approval, the FDA asked Somaxon to address the possibility that doxepin may prolong the cardiac QT interval.

The company intends to respond by submitting the results of its completed clinical trial of doxepin that evaluated the potential for electrocardiographic effects to the FDA.  The results of this clinical trial demonstrated that doxepin had no effect on QT interval prolongation when administered at 6 mg or 50 mg.

“We continue to believe that the data in the NDA we have submitted, together with the QT data we will submit is sufficient to support a determination by the FDA that Silenor can be approved for the treatment of insomnia,” said Richard W. Pascoe, president and chief executive officer of Somaxon.

The FDA indicated that it was open to a discussion of the concerns and did not specifically request the company to conduct additional clinical trials of Silenor.  Somaxon plans to schedule a discussion with the FDA to gain a complete understanding of the implications of the issues raised in the Complete Response Letter.

~ From Sleep Review

Daylight Savings Time Arrives this Sunday

Clocks will spring forward one hour for Daylight Savings Time this Sunday, March 8, at 2:00 a.m.  Sleep cycles can be affected since the time change occurs overnight.

While most people can handle the time change without difficulty, there are those who typically get a limited amount of sleep and will feel the impact more than others.

The key isn’t trying to go to bed an hour earlier on Saturday night … the key is making sure you get enough sleep all year long.  That means consistent schedules for going to bed at a reasonable time and getting up at the same time every morning … even on weekends.  Practicing good sleep hygiene can help us all to achieve needed amounts of restful sleep.  Even though our society seems to place an emphasis on late-night activities, including work, we need to place the emphasis on our health.  Sleep is every bit as important to one’s health as diet and exercise.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

Reggie White Foundation Sleep Apnea Video Now Available

“When It’s My Time, I Want to Die in My Sleep,” an educational video about obstructive sleep apnea, is available free of charge from the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research & Education Foundation.  The 8 1/2 minute video focuses on sleep apnea — what it is, how it is diagnosed and treated, and who is at risk.

The video was made possible by a grant from the National Football League Retired Players Association.  It has already been distributed to all NFL teams, and is available to Arena League teams, college and high school teams, and any person who has an interest in sleep apnea.

The video can be obtained by contacting me at steve@reggiewhitesleepdisordersfoundation.org.   Please be sure to include your name and mailing address.  Please,  just one copy per request.

You may also preview the video on the home page of the Foundation’s website.

Steve Gardner, Executive Director

Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research& Education Foundation