Livingston, N.J. -- Do you have a father, son, grandfather or husband who snores? Does the volume waken others in the family? Do jokes focus on dad’s ‘sawing’ as he dozes off in front of the television at night?
If so, you’re not alone. The National Sleep Foundation’s (NSF) 2005 Sleep in America poll shows that 67 percent of America’s adults are married or live with someone who snores. And many of the snorers are men.
After the transplant, Tom felt like a new person and was able to attend the nursing program at Essex County College. Strong for the first time, he worked hard in school and “took advantage of my new good health.” Although he has never spoken with the family of the person whose organs he received, Tom hopes to someday convey to them the importance of this gift of health and life.
“Our poll shows that 39 percent of men snore, as opposed to 25 percent of women,” says Richard L. Gelula, NSF’s chief executive officer. “Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea, which is a very common, but very dangerous sleep disorder. Men and women who snore could be at risk, and should pay close attention to their sleep, particularly if they have pauses in breathing, and if they are overweight or obese.”
An estimated 18 million people have sleep apnea, but millions don’t even know they have the disorder, which is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. The breathing pauses can result in both sleep disturbance and reduced oxygen delivery to vital organs.
“People with sleep apnea suffer many consequences” says Mangala Nadkarni, M.D., Medical Director of The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. “Because of their disturbed sleep, they often are sleepy during their waking hours. In addition, sleep apnea has been associated with hypertension, heart disease, mood and memory problems.” Dr. Nadkarni notes that while not all snorers have sleep apnea, it is important for anyone who snores to discuss the problem with a health care provider.
“On June 19, as we take time to appreciate our fathers, let’s remember that snoring is no laughing matter,” said Dr. Nadkarni. “It can disturb the sleep of bed partners and other family members. It can also be a symptom of serious sleep disorder that can put dad’s health and safety at risk. Let’s help fathers – and others who have sleep apnea symptoms – recognize their sleep problems, and seek treatment.”
If you snore, or knows anyone who does, visit www.saintbarnabas.com and the Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorder’s webpage to take the Sleep Awareness Quiz to determine if an overnight sleep study may be beneficial.
A diagnosis of sleep apnea is made through a medical history and an overnight evaluation at the Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders. The general treatment involves the use of a C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure), a breathing device that keeps the airway free of collapse. A weight loss program and possible referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist may be recommended, depending on the severity of the condition.
The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders offers a full range of services used in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of sleep-related disorders in adults and children. The Center is equipped with the latest in monitoring equipment, providing the opportunity for daytime testing and full overnight sleep studies.
For more information about sleep disorders or The Kazmir Center for Sleep Disorders at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, please call 973-322-9800.
Date: May 23, 2005 press contact: Samantha Anton, 973-322-9904
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