Top Ten Tips for CPAP Success

Tips courtesy of CPAP2GO in West Allis, Waukesha and Franklin, Wis (Milwaukee area).

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

WHOA! He’s more than a seatbelt fool or a drunk … he’s a drowsy driver

More than 500 people died on Wisconsin roads last year.

“Some deaths were caused by speeding while others were a result of drunk driving, or not wearing a seat belt. Tragically, these deaths affect many lives and cause great pain to thousands of people throughout the state. Fortunately, you can help change that number.”  So says the State of Wisconsin’s very well-intentioned web site.

But, in a very clear error, either of omission or of understanding, the State runs a television spot frequently about not wearing one’s seat belt.  Again, a very noble thought.  However, as you will be able to see from the advertisement that is called “Reality – Seat Belt,” they have missed a truly significant, even life saving point.  Take a look at it and see if you can figure out what it is …  www.zeroinwisconsin.gov/mediaspots.html

The driver in the spot is not only not wearing a seat belt … he is asleep at the wheel.  He is, as too many people fail to realize, one of those ticking time bombs waiting to go off on our roads … the drowsy driver.

Taking a look at his thick neck and overweight body frame, it is likely that this driver has obstructive sleep apnea, which is just as likely to take his life … and the lives of others on the road … as not wearing his seatbelt or driving drunk.

One can only hope that the State of Wisconsin … and ALL states … will get the idea soon that drowsy drivers are a MAJOR threat to the health and lives of all people on the roads.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

If It Sounds Too Good to be True …

… it probably isn’t true!

Over the last year, we’ve examined a number of so-called “alternatives” to traditional treatments for obstructive sleep apnea, debunking some and clarifying others.  We’ve looked at pain relievers that also “help” the user to sleep, only to find that they all use the same “sleeping” ingredient, benadryl.  We will continue to look at devices and medications as they come to light in 2009, but in the meantime we urge you to be aware of certain easy to spot misleading statements about various products:

• If it claims to “cure” sleep apnea, it probably doesn’t.  You can effectively treat sleep apnea but, in most cases, other than very mild cases, it cannot be “cured.”
• Products that claim to stop you from snoring generally do not stop apnea episodes from occurring.
• If it includes a come-on like “Not Available in Stores,” ask yourself “Why not?”
• If its main selling point is “As Seen on TV,” that’s hardly scientific evidence of a product that works.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.
• If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck … you’ve got a duck.

Best wishes to you all for good health and happiness in 2009.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

Christmas Dies of Sleep Apnea

Sad to say, the Chicago SunTimes is reporting that a man named Christmas, Mark Christmas, died of sleep apnea two days before Christmas this year.

Click here to check out the story.

Condolences to his family, who must be suffering right now.

Steve Gardner

The Sleep Wellness Institute

As Diabetes Costs Rise, Link to Sleep Apnea is Critical

A recent online article at MSNBC noted that the cost of diabetes in this country will rise to $200 billion per year. That point makes it more important than ever that medical professionals include asking questions about sleep while making their diagnosis, since it has now been shown that 58% of diabetics have some form of sleep disordered breathing.

At the same time, 40% of all obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients have diabetes.

In  patients who have both, the most commonly prescribed treatment for OSA, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can help in the more effective management of diabetes, thereby reducing hospitalizations and healthcare costs related to diabetes.

If you or someone in your family has diabetes, snores at night and feels exhausted during the day, ask your physician about sleep apnea.  It’s too important to ignore.

Steve Gardner

Sleep Wellness Institute