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Sleeping Positions That Help Alleviate Snoring and Back Pain

Sleeping Positions That Help Alleviate Snoring and Back Pain is courtesy of Perspectief Blog

Some sleeping positions are better for helping ensure you have a good night’s rest, especially if you suffer from complaints like snoring or other aches that can keep you up at night.

Dr. Ben Smarr is a sleep science adviser for Oura and an assistant professor of bioengineering and data science at UC San Diego. Through Smarr’s research, he’s seen that people who sleep in certain positions tend to report better sleep quality overall. Since personal preferences and health concerns are a big factor, it’s important to consult your doctor on your specific situation.

One of the best positions for snoring or sleep apnea is on your side. “While many people are most comfortable on their backs, side sleepers snore less, so that is usually recommended,” Smarr says.

Whether you snore or not, side sleeping is the preferred position for most people according to The Sleep Better Council. Sleeping on your left side specifically is the best position if you suffer from acid reflux, heartburn or indigestion at night. If you do have back pain or hip pain while sleeping on your side, you can place a pillow between your legs or knees to relieve the pressure.

Get the full story at cnet.com.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/03/sleeping-positions-alleviate-snoring-back-pain/

from https://www.perspectief.org/sleeping-positions-that-help-alleviate-snoring-and-back-pain/

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FDA Warning Letter: EPAP Mask Maker Is Misbranding Its Snoring Device

FDA Warning Letter: EPAP Mask Maker Is Misbranding Its Snoring Device Find more on: The Perspectief.org Blog

CPAPNEA Medical Supply has a cleared 510(k) for the Optipillows EPAP mask for the sole intended use of alleviating snoring during sleep in adults, states the FDA in a warning letter.

Your device is misbranded under section 502(o) of the Act because you failed to submit a premarket notification as required by section 510(k) and 21 CFR 807.81(a)(3). Specifically, labeling found during FDA’s inspection shows that the Optipillows EPAP Mask is intended to treat obstructive sleep apnea, which is a major change or modification from the cleared intended use of the device requiring a new 510(k), including appropriate performance data in compliance with section 514 of the Act.  The Optipillows EPAP Mask is also misbranded under section 502(a) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 352(a), because statements found in the device labeling are false or misleading because they claim the Optipillows EPAP Mask is as effective as CPAP devices at treating obstructive sleep apnea, suggest that the Optipillows EPAP Mask can be substituted for CPAP devices, and claim that FDA has clear EPAP technology for treating obstructive sleep apnea. 

Read the full warning letter at fda.gov

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/03/fda-warning-letter-epap-mask-maker-misbranding-snoring-device/

from https://www.perspectief.org/fda-warning-letter-epap-mask-maker-is-misbranding-its-snoring-device/

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Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Associates Joins Penn State Health

The following post Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Associates Joins Penn State Health was initially seen on www.perspectief.org

The approximately 60 employees at the Lemoyne and Carlisle locations of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine Associates (PCCMA), including 10 physicians and nine advanced practice providers, were welcomed into Penn State Health.

Becoming a part of the Penn State Health network allows PCCMA to offer local residents enhanced access to complete, specialized pulmonary and critical care close to home, in coordination with the future Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health’s flagship Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

Since its start in 1978, PCCMA has been recognized as a leading resource for treatments for a wide range of diseases and illnesses, including COPD, asthma, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. At the sleep laboratory in Lemoyne, practitioners evaluate and treat disorders including insomnia, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, snoring and sleep apnea.

Get the full story at psu.edu

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/03/pulmonary-critical-care-medicine-associates-joins-penn-state-health/

from https://www.perspectief.org/pulmonary-and-critical-care-medicine-associates-joins-penn-state-health/

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9 Factors that Cause Sleep Sensor Artifact

9 Factors that Cause Sleep Sensor Artifact is republished from www.perspectief.org

And how to troubleshoot them during a sleep study.

By Heather Linderfelt

Sleep technologists play an essential role in identifying and correcting artifact—unwanted signals, physiological or non-physiological—during polysomnography (PSG).

According to Todd Eiken, RPSGT, FAAST, vice president of product development at Dymedix Diagnostics, “it is critically important that a sleep disorders technologist, as well as an interpreting physician, identify and eliminate artifact that occurs during a PSG. Artifact can mask or reduce the visibility of clinically significant PSG information and also create false-positive and false-negative results.”

Below are 9 common factors that can cause sleep artifact and how to correct them.

Factor 1: Patient sweat

Brad Dotson, RRT, RPSGT, director of sales and marketing at Neurotronics, advises that the temperature in the sleep study room can impact sweat artifact. “Obstructive sleep apnea patients tend to sweat profusely. Having the ability to lower room temperature via air conditioning or fan can reduce sweat artifact,” he says, adding that sweat artifact can cause channels move in a swaying motion away from and back to their baseline.

Amy Schwarz, BSRT, RRT-SDS, clinical product support specialist for Philips, recommends that it is best to “keep the patient room a little cooler than for patient comfort.”

Factor 2: Lead wires

Mike Olmsted, president/CEO of ElectraMed Corp, offers several solutions for artifacts caused by lead wires.

The first is use the right wire for the job. “Do not mix different style leads of different lengths, cup configurations, and properties within an input channel,” he says.

Bundling wires together instead of allowing them to just hang free between the acquisition amplifier and sleep subject helps to reduce noise artifact and stabilize the baseline.

“It is also a good idea to change reusable wires at least once a year,” he adds. “As these wires age, the impedance will increase. It may not be broken, but it can still impact your impedance levels.”

Factor 3: Snore sensors

“Snoring sensors can be challenging due to the sensor being attached to the skin and exposed to sweat, pressure, accidental high pressure, and other interference,” says Sarah Paddock, director of sales and marketing for SLP. Obtaining optimal signals from snore sensors depends on constant contact with the patient’s skin and a good seal against ambient noises. Taping the sensor securely should eliminate any movement artifact.

Factor 4: Respiratory effort sensors

When monitoring respiratory effort, the identification of paradoxical respiratory movements can help indicate upper airway obstruction in the case of mild sleep-disordered breathing. “However, if the location of thoracic or abdominal effort belts shift during a PSG study, analysis of paradoxical respiratory movements become invalid,” says Eiken, who suggests taping the belts in place prior to beginning the study. “This ensures that the chest belt is displaying only chest movement and the abdominal belt is displaying only abdominal movement,” he says.

And don’t over-tighten the belts. “Position belts on the patient to fit comfortably snug when the patient is on their side,” Neurotronics’ Dotson says. “Over-tightened belts will cause the signal to square out during the study.” If the belts are too loose, any movement (even airflow) will generate a signal that is not originated in the scope of the belt.

Factor 5: Electrical devices

With smart watches, such as the Apple Watch, and other wearable electronics becoming more common, techs need to check for these devices before starting a sleep study. “Any electrical devices such as phones, tablets, or headphones should be kept out of reach and away from the patient, headbox, and amplifier,” Schwarz says. “These devices can cause electrical interference, which will present as artifacts during the study.”

Factor 6: Motion

Motion artifact cannot be avoided during a study. When the patient moves, some of the electrodes do not read as well. “Referencing the signal may correct a disturbed signal,” says Schwarz. “If that does not correct the issue, re-prepping may be necessary.”

In some cases, noise from static changes generated by friction against bed linen, cable movement noise, attenuation of the desired signal due to sweat, as well as other factors can mean the difference between a workable recording and constant troubleshooting. “Careful placement as well as securing the sensor will help greatly with regards to reducing unnecessary artifact,” Paddock says.

Factor 7: Pressure flow sensors and pressure monitoring cannulas

As with any sensor, it is critical to insulate the sensitive element from any interference that is not related to the measured signal.

It is also important that the sensor being used (pressure sensor/pressure transducer) minimizes the signal filtering as much as possible—this allows greater flexibility in selecting post filtering of the raw signal without eliminating parts of the wave that may become important in analysis. Too much filtering or switches in the signal can lead to additional electrical noise.

“In addition, disposable cannula filters can aid in the prevention of humidity inside the luer and help reduce the possibility of infection,” says Paddock.

Factor 8: Frequencies and filters

Techs should be aware of the range of frequencies to which a particular sensor is intended to respond. By using low and high pass filters, techs can reduce or eliminate other frequencies that are not of interest. For example, monitoring of respiratory-related parameters is focused on slow frequencies. “As a result, adjusting the low pass filter to eliminate unwanted faster frequencies can be helpful in reducing artifacts,” says Eiken.

Schwarz recommends checking the filters—although there are American Academy of Sleep Medicine-recommended filter settings, they are not required. Sometimes filtering out a signal too much can also cause artifact. “Apply filters as needed; don’t automatically apply them without checking the signal first,” she says. A QRS filter is also sometimes helpful for removing electrocardiogram artifacts in leg leads.

Factor 9: Transmitting devices

Anything can cause artifacts and transmitting devices, such as wireless routers, keyboards, and monitors, are particularly bad offenders when it comes to sensor artifact (and similar devices). Suspect everything and remember that electrical interference can pass through walls and floors/ceilings. So the source of the interference may be in an adjacent room or even in the office on the floor above. Especially suspect interference when an artifact appears and disappears in what seems like random times. “Be a careful observer when troubleshooting and try disconnecting any suspected device, without switching it off first,” says Paddock.

Avoid florescent lighting whenever possible. Move any devices with electric motors (such as fans), non-medical devices (radio, television, watches) and any power cables as far away from the patient as possible. Make sure the beds with metal frames are properly grounded. Try to keep the air humidity at 50% to prevent static charge build up. Arrange the headbox so that the sensor wires do not rest on any electrical devices or swing too freely.

Artifacts can destroy good data and the sleep tech’s job is to recognize the factors that can cause artifacts and neutralize them, capturing only the subject’s true data during what is hopefully a restful, good night’s sleep.

Heather Linderfelt is a freelance writer and editor based in New Mexico. She writes on a variety of topics, including business, technology, science, health, and wellness.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/03/factors-sleep-sensor-artifact/

from https://www.perspectief.org/9-factors-that-cause-sleep-sensor-artifact/

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Philips Releases Global Sleep Satisfaction Trends

The following post Philips Releases Global Sleep Satisfaction Trends Find more on: Perspectief

Royal Philips announced the findings from its 5th annual sleep survey in a report, “Wake Up Call: Global Sleep Satisfaction Trends.” Philips surveyed more than 13,000 adults in 13 countries to capture attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors around sleep. This year’s results show global sleep satisfaction remains low with worry/stress, relationships, and cell phone use reported as key sleep inhibitors.

Worry and Stress Continue to Affect a Good Night’s Sleep

Only 49% of people are satisfied with their sleep, with worry/stress reported as the most limiting factor to a good night’s sleep (33%). Interestingly, fewer people in 2020 are taking action to improve sleep compared to 2019, with nearly all listed strategies to improve sleep lower or consistent in 2020 when compared to 2019 results. For example, reading before bed was the most popular strategy used to improve sleep in 2019 (39%), but only 28% of people report reading to improve sleep in 2020. Other notable distinctions in sleep-related behavior appeared across age and gender differences.

“The decrease in people taking action to improve sleep is alarming, especially when it is clear people around the world deeply value sleep. Sleep deficit impacts people both mentally and physically, so we need to educate people on available sleep resources and empower them with the confidence that their efforts will pay off,” says Mark Aloia, PhD, global lead for behavior change, sleep & respiratory Care at Philips, in a release. “As we head into the next decade, Philips is focused on designing a future where technology leveraged across the entire sleep ecosystem can help people get the most out of their lives.”

Sleep Issues Coming Between Bed Partners

Factors putting quality sleep at risk stem from both social and technology distractions. When it comes to relationships, 36% of people with a partner/spouse agree they sometimes sleep separately from their partner/spouse to improve their sleep, and 30% agree their or their partner/spouse’s difficulty sleeping is impacting their relationship. Despite experts’ recommendations to the contrary, almost 4-in-10 report using their phones right before falling asleep (39%) or as soon as they wake up (39%).

While external factors can be altered to improve sleep, some sleep conditions are outside of a person’s control. This year, respondents report lower rates of insomnia, snoring, shift work disorder, and chronic pain, but sleep apnea remains consistent (2019: 10% vs. 2020: 9%). Of those reporting to have sleep apnea, 51% said their sleep apnea is impacting their relationship(s). Yet, 48% of people with sleep apnea said they felt getting good sleep was out of their control—even though a variety of solutions exist to treat it.

The desire for help is there, as 60% of people agree they are interested in new information or strategies to help them get better sleep. Watching TV remains the most common strategy people use to improve their sleep (2019: 37% vs. 2020: 33%), and new data this year shows 15% have tried or currently use either marijuana or CBD oil to better their sleep.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/03/philips-releases-global-sleep-satisfaction-trends/

from https://www.perspectief.org/philips-releases-global-sleep-satisfaction-trends/

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STOP-Bang Questionnaire Effective for OSA Screening in Multiple Sclerosis

The following blog article STOP-Bang Questionnaire Effective for OSA Screening in Multiple Sclerosis Read more on: http://www.perspectief.org

A common screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea could be appropriate to look for disordered breathing in patients who also have multiple sclerosis, according to new research.

In multiple sclerosis, a STOP-Bang (for Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apneas, high blood Pressure, BMI, Age, Neck circumference, Gender) cutoff score of 3 or greater produces a sensitivity similar to that seen in patients without multiple sclerosis (MS), according to study results presented at the 2020 Forum for Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis held February 27-29, 2020, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Obstructive sleep apnea is closely associated with MS, based on the STOP-Bang screening tool that assesses characteristics known to confer the risk for obstructive sleep apnea. The STOP-Bang tool has been widely used across a variety of patient samples but has not yet been validated in patients with MS. Researchers of the study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of the STOP-Bang tool in patients with MS.

Researchers of the study used data from an ongoing randomized controlled trial examining the effects of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment on cognition in patients with MS. Inclusion criteria were patients with MS aged 18 through 70 years with a STOP-Bang score of 2 or greater, or with a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea regardless of STOP-Bang score. All patients underwent STOP-Bang assessments and in-lab polysomnography. Researchers calculated specificities and sensitivities for all STOP-Bang scores and compared them with results from the overnight polysomnography.

Get the full story at neurologyadvisor.com.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/stop-bang-questionnaire-effective-osa-screening-multiple-sclerosis/

from https://www.perspectief.org/stop-bang-questionnaire-effective-for-osa-screening-in-multiple-sclerosis/

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Dentist Helps Patients Sleep Soundly

The following article Dentist Helps Patients Sleep Soundly is available on http://www.perspectief.org

Sheri Katz has dedicated her life to help people combat sleep apnea, reports  Atlanta Jewish Times.

“We now know that snoring can be a sign of a potentially serious medical condition called sleep apnea,” said Sheri Katz, an Atlanta dentist who specializes in sleep apnea. “The throat is like a long tube. Some people’s throats relax too much as they sleep and their breathing becomes interrupted for seconds and even minutes at a time. People with sleep apnea tend to have more medical problems.”

Get the full story at timesofisrael.com

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/dentist-helps-patients-sleep-soundly/

from https://www.perspectief.org/dentist-helps-patients-sleep-soundly/

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The Best Anti-Snoring Pillows, According to Experts

The Best Anti-Snoring Pillows, According to Experts Read more on: http://www.perspectief.org

New York Magazine reviewed the possible health implications of snoring and spoke to sleep experts about the best anti-snoring pillows on the market.

“Snoring is basically related to a narrow upper airway, and gravity tends to make things worse,” says Kannan Ramar, a sleep physician and professor of medicine in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the Mayo Clinic, and president-elect of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “When you fall asleep, the tongue relaxes a little bit and can fall back and close up the airway. The soft palate and the uvula at the back of the throat relaxes, and that tends to narrow the airway.” Add a new pillow, the theory goes, and you put yourself in a position that reduces the effect of gravity on the back of your neck. Here are some pillows — selected by sleep doctors and sleep product experts — to try out.

Sarah Riccio, a senior writer at sleep product review site Sleepopolis, likes the Xtreme Comforts wedge with its 30-degree angle and 7-inch height. It’s also made from memory foam, which is Winter’s material of choice: “Memory foam tends to support and hold people better,” he says. “It’s conforming around your neck and giving a little bit more of an even distribution of pressure, versus down, which tends to look fluffy, but collapses when you’re on top of it.”

As an alternative to a wedge, Riccio says to look for “pillows with an extra-lofty profile of 5-inches or more,” that will also keep the head and neck elevated. She especially likes the Layla Kapok pillow since it “features a super high profile of 7-inches and does a great job of maintaining its shape.”

Get the full story at nymag.com.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/snoring-pillows/

from https://www.perspectief.org/the-best-anti-snoring-pillows-according-to-experts/

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‘It’s Not Real Sexy’: How Snoring Can Lead to Relationship Problems Beyond the Bedroom

‘It’s Not Real Sexy’: How Snoring Can Lead to Relationship Problems Beyond the Bedroom was first seen on Perspectief

Studies show higher divorce rates in couples where one person snores, reports WSLS.

“I noticed when I woke up, I was just as tired as when I went to bed,” said Eric Pellant, who has sleep apnea.

“At first it was just, ‘Roll over, roll over,’ you know, because it was keeping me awake,” said Kathy Pellant, Eric’s wife.

The problems stretch beyond the bedroom though.

Get the full story at wsls.com

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/not-real-sexy-snoring-can-lead-relationship-problems-beyond-bedroom/

from https://www.perspectief.org/its-not-real-sexy-how-snoring-can-lead-to-relationship-problems-beyond-the-bedroom/

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A Moment I’ll Cherish Forever: Meeting my Representative Adam Schiff

A Moment I’ll Cherish Forever: Meeting my Representative Adam Schiff is available on Perspectief Blog

On Tuesday, Feb. 10th, I had the opportunity to meet my Representative, Congressman Adam Schiff and thank him in-person for championing the sleep community priorities in Congress for the past three years. I was in Washington, DC for Project Sleep and the Sleep Research Society’s February Hill Day on Monday, Feb. 9th. See our event recap and photo album!

But let me back up. In 2017, I had no idea that upon sharing my story and my passion for Project Sleep with my Representative’s health staffer, that his office would end up championing our cause on Capitol Hill.

But that’s exactly what happened: Congressman Schiff stepped forward to lead multiple important “Dear Colleague” letters — that other Representatives (on both sides of the aisle) have signed onto in support of advancing sleep & sleep disorders research via NIH, DoD, and the VA and sleep awareness via CDC. Read more about our efforts here.

YOU have helped make these efforts a success by reaching out to your Representatives to ask them to sign onto these letters. So collectively, all of our efforts combined are making a difference. And how do we know our efforts are making a real difference? Multiple amazing researchers have shared with me they believe our advocacy is helping them secure important research grants. Wow! 

Get involved! You play an important role in our next steps, starting with an advocacy webinar on Tuesday, March 3 at 2pm ET! RSVP here, even if you can’t make it live on March 3rd, RSVP anyway to receive the webinar recording. We will help everyone who signs up to take action!

Sleep touches every one. It is not a partisan issue. Our only opposition is lack of awareness. Sleep is an underdog cause in our society, which is why I love this challenge and why having policy makers like my Representative Adam Schiff on our side, it means the world to me.

As I left the office, Congressman Schiff thanked me for my advocacy. It was a moment I’ll never forget and I wish YOU had been with me to receive this thanks in-person too. Raising our voices matters!

from Julie Flygare http://julieflygare.com/a-moment-ill-cherish-forever-meeting-my-representative-congressman-adam-schiff/

from https://www.perspectief.org/a-moment-ill-cherish-forever-meeting-my-representative-adam-schiff/

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#SleepIn2020 Deadline TODAY for T-Shirts

The post #SleepIn2020 Deadline TODAY for T-Shirts was originally published to http://www.perspectief.org

Project Sleep’s SIXTH annual “Sleep In” will take place on March 13-15, 2020, but today, Feb. 18th is the deadline to order your official shirts. Please support our shirt fundraiser here. 

      Get shirts for the whole fam!

Honestly, I get compliments and questions about my Sleep In t-shirts every time I wear one. It’s a “stylish conversation starter.”

                    Next Stepzzz:

Once you’ve ordered your shirts before the deadline (2/18 at midnight ET), head over to the Sleep In registration page to sign up to participate. It’s FREE, all we ask is that you care about sleep health and sleep disorders awareness. 

              This is my favorite weekend of the year.

Over the course of the #SleepIn2020 weekend (March 13-15, 2020), we will be in bed flooding social media and connecting virtually to help our society make peace with sleep.  There will be online events including a DJ set via Twitch with the amazing DJ Fe, prizes, bedtime stories, and lots of rest!

Important Sleep In 2020 links:

Event registration: https://projectsleep.salsalabs.org/sleepin2020

Details, FAQs, social media graphics and schedule: https://project-sleep.com/sleepin/

T-shirt fundraiser (Deadline 2/18): https://www.customink.com/fundraising/sleep-in-project-sleep

I can’t wait to Sleep In with you soon!

from Julie Flygare http://julieflygare.com/sleepin2020-is-coming-deadline-today-for-t-shirts/

from https://www.perspectief.org/sleepin2020-deadline-today-for-t-shirts/

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This Happens When Snoring Indicates Sleep Apnea

This Happens When Snoring Indicates Sleep Apnea is republished from Perspectief Blog

Physicians explain how snoring can sound when a person is experiencing sleep apnea.

“There are basically two types of snores,” said David Swanson, supervisor at Providence Holy Family Hospital’s sleep clinic and a respiratory therapist. “One is just a rhythmic type of snore, and usually the volume level stays about the same.”

With that, you typically won’t snore, or the sound softens if you move from your back to side.

“The other type of snoring, which about 75% of people who snore will have, is obstructive sleep apnea along with that snore. That’s more like a crescendo-type snore where the volume gets louder and louder, then all of the sudden you don’t hear anything for a while because the airway is closed.” That scenario sounds like a loud snort.

“It’s important to keep track of symptoms in addition to the snoring,” said Dr. Michael Cruz, with Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat and an ENT physician. Interrupted breathing could last 10 seconds or longer, Cruz added.

Get the full story at staradvertiser.com.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/snoring-sleep-apnea/

from https://www.perspectief.org/this-happens-when-snoring-indicates-sleep-apnea/

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AASM: 4 Tips to Stop the Snore, Save the Romance

The following blog article AASM: 4 Tips to Stop the Snore, Save the Romance Find more on: Perspectief Blog

Roses, candy, and a candlelit dinner are romantic gestures that many of us partake in for Valentine’s Day. In addition to these gifts, consider a lifestyle change that will benefit both you and your partner: gain control of your snoring.

“While snoring is disruptive to bed partners and can cause frustration in a relationship, it can also be an indicator of a serious health problem,” says Kelly A. Carden, MD, president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), in a release. “Snoring is a common symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a chronic disease that involves the repeated collapse of the upper airway during sleep. When sleep apnea is untreated, it can increase the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and other health problems.”

The AASM recommends the following tips for occasional snorers:

Weight loss: Weight gain can make snoring worse and may even lead to obstructive sleep apnea. Shedding pounds can help reduce or eliminate snoring for some people, and weight loss should be a top priority if you are overweight or obese.

Positional therapy: For some, snoring mostly occurs while sleeping on the back. To reduce snoring, try changing positions by sleeping on your side.

Avoid alcohol, muscle relaxants and certain medications: These substances can relax your throat or tongue muscles, causing you to snore.

Medical diagnosis: If snoring is loud and frequent, talk to a medical provider about your risk for obstructive sleep apnea or seek help from the sleep team at an AASM-accredited sleep center.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/02/aasm-4-tips-stop-snore-save-romance/

from https://www.perspectief.org/aasm-4-tips-to-stop-the-snore-save-the-romance/

[perspectief1]

Exciting News! Giving a TEDx Talk in San Diego

The following article Exciting News! Giving a TEDx Talk in San Diego Read more on: http://www.perspectief.org

SO beyond excited to share this news: I’ll speak at TEDxSDSU on March 22, 2020 in San Diego, CA!

Giving a TEDx talk has been a major life goal for about 7 years now, when i put it in my art journal as one of my major aspirations. And I’ve applied to many over the years.

“Your dream doesn’t have an expiration date. Take a deep breath and try again.” —KT Witten

So securing this talk at San Diego State University was a huge surprise and surreal moment of pure joy — which definitely caused me to have cataplexy when i first opened the “congratulations” email.

You might’ve seen my somewhat secretive IG stories recently about working hard on a “important first draft.” This was for my TEDxSDSU talk.

Is my first draft perfect? NOPE.

But it WILL come together. It always does… even if the process is kind of intense and overwhelming to me, it will be worth it for the moment I walk onto that stage in two months.

As always, I hope to make you proud and to effectively share a message I believe in. Thank you for your incredible support — this community inspires me and gives me courage every single day!

I’ll share more details about the TEDxSDSU event as they become available and as tickets go on sale in February! For now, please send extra spoons and smart-thinking speech-revising vibes my way.

from Julie Flygare http://julieflygare.com/exciting-news-giving-a-tedx-talk-in-san-diego/

from https://www.perspectief.org/exciting-news-giving-a-tedx-talk-in-san-diego/

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4 Best Sleeping Positions to Improve Sleep Apnea

4 Best Sleeping Positions to Improve Sleep Apnea is courtesy of https://www.perspectief.org

Pulmonologists speak to US News about the best sleeping positions to prevent sleep apnea.

“Sleep apnea is often worse in the supine (on your back) position because of gravity,” Tsai says. “The tongue falls back and blocks the airway,” so sleeping on your side “may improve sleep apnea and symptoms.” Fotinakes adds that sleeping on your side or in a prone (on your stomach) position “may lessen or even eliminate snoring and apnea in many cases.”

Sleeping on your stomach can be awkward, and some people who try it find they wake up with a stiff neck. Choosing a very thin pillow or a pillow made specifically for stomach sleepers may help reduce strain on the neck when lying face down.

When sleeping on your side, you’ll likely need a thicker pillow to support the head and neck. Some people prefer to cuddle up to a large body pillow to help keep them in the right position. There are lots of pillows that are marketed specifically for addressing sleep apnea concerns, so do a little research and try out a few to find one that feels right for you.

If you must sleep on your back – some people who have sleep apnea also have acid reflux, and sleeping on your back with your head elevated is often recommended to reduce symptoms of that condition – try elevating the head of the bed, Tsai says. “Sleeping with the head as elevated and upright as possible, such as with an adjustable bed or in a recliner, may be helpful in improving sleep apnea symptoms.” Wedge-shaped pillows made of foam (rather than a squishier material) can help you achieve the right position that keeps the airway more open. Some people even elevate the head of a conventional bed with bricks or a bed riser to get the necessary height to lessen symptoms of sleep apnea.

Get the full story at health.usnews.com.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/01/sleeping-positions-improve-sleep-apnea/

from https://www.perspectief.org/4-best-sleeping-positions-to-improve-sleep-apnea/

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We Know Losing Weight Lessens Sleep Apnea Severity. This New Study Helps Explain Why.

We Know Losing Weight Lessens Sleep Apnea Severity. This New Study Helps Explain Why. is republished from Perspectief Blog

Losing weight is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but why exactly this is the case has remained unclear. Now researchers in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that improvements in OSA symptoms appear to be linked to the reduction of fat in one unexpected body part—the tongue.

Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the effect of weight loss on the upper airway in obese patients, researchers found that reducing tongue fat is a primary factor in lessening the severity of OSA. The findings were published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

“Most clinicians, and even experts in the sleep apnea world, have not typically focused on fat in the tongue for treating sleep apnea,” says Richard Schwab, MD, chief of Sleep Medicine, in a release. “Now that we know tongue fat is a risk factor and that sleep apnea improves when tongue fat is reduced, we have established a unique therapeutic target that we’ve never had before.”

A 2014 study led by Schwab compared obese patients with and without sleep apnea and found that the participants with the sleep disorder had significantly larger tongues and a higher percentage of tongue fat when compared to those without OSA. The researchers next step was to determine if reducing tongue fat would improve symptoms and to further examine cause and effect.

The new study included 67 participants with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were obese—those with a body mass index greater than 30.0. Through diet or weight loss surgery, the patients lost nearly 10% of their body weight, on average, over six months. Overall, the participants’ sleep apnea scores improved by 31% after the weight loss intervention, as measured by a sleep study.

Before and after the weight loss intervention, the study participants underwent MRI scans to both their pharynx as well as their abdomens. Then, using a statistical analysis, the research team quantified changes between overall weight loss and reductions to the volumes of the upper airway structures to determine which structures led to the improvement in sleep apnea. The team found that a reduction in tongue fat volume was the primary link between weight loss and sleep apnea improvement.

The study also found that weight loss resulted in reduced pterygoid (a jaw muscle that controls chewing) and pharyngeal lateral wall (muscles on the sides of the airway) volumes. Both these changes also improved sleep apnea, but not to the same extent as the reduction in tongue fat.

The authors believe that tongue fat is a potential new therapeutic target for improving sleep apnea. They suggest that future studies could be designed to explore whether certain low-fat diets are better than others in reducing tongue fat and whether cold therapies— like those used to reduce stomach fat—might be applied to reducing tongue fat. But Schwab notes, these types of interventions have not yet been tested.

Schwab’s team is also examining new interventions and other risk factors for sleep apnea, including whether some patients who are not obese but who have “fatty” tongues could be predisposed to sleep apnea, but are less likely to be diagnosed.

In a recent related study, Schwab found that ethnicity may also play a role in sleep apnea severity. His research team compared the upper airway anatomy of Chinese and Icelandic patients with sleep apnea, and found that, compared to Icelandic patients of similar age, gender, and symptoms, Chinese patients had smaller airways and soft tissues, but bigger soft palate volume with more bone restrictions. This means that Asian patients may generally be more at risk for severe sleep apnea symptoms. The bottom line, according to Schwab, is that all patients who experience snoring or sleepiness should be screened for sleep apnea, whether or not they appear to fall into the typical “high-risk” obese categories.

“Primary care doctors, and perhaps even dentists, should be asking about snoring and sleepiness in all patients, even those who have a normal body mass index, as, based on our data, they may also be at risk for sleep apnea,” Schwab says.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/01/losing-weight-sleep-apnea/

from https://www.perspectief.org/we-know-losing-weight-lessens-sleep-apnea-severity-this-new-study-helps-explain-why/

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SomniFix Is a Finalist in P&G Ventures 2020 Innovation Challenge

The following blog post SomniFix Is a Finalist in P&G Ventures 2020 Innovation Challenge See more on: Perspectief Blog

Procter & Gamble Ventures, the early stage startup studio within P&G, announced the four finalists for the 2020 P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge. Finalists have been awarded an all-expense paid trip to pitch their products live at The International Consumer Electronics Show at 9:30 am PST on Wednesday, January 8.

The live pitch competition will take place at the P&G LifeLab Stage, Booth #42131, Sands Expo Convention Center, Las Vegas. Winners will be announced via Twitter at @PGVStudio.

For the 2020 Innovation Challenge, P&G Ventures leveraged the KITE SRM platform and operating system to identify, recruit, evaluate, and select this year’s finalists. More than 100 contestants across the United States participated in this year’s challenge, seeking cash prizes, expert guidance from industry leaders, and entry into industry leading accelerators as P&G seeks partners for new CPG product development in women’s health, chronic conditions, enhanced sleep, aging at home, personal performance, male wellness, and non-toxic home care.

The 2020 P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge finalists are:

Dr. Bryan Fuller, Founder and CEO of DermaMedics

Dr. Sanna Gaspard, Founder and CEO of Rubitection

Richard Hanbury, Founder of Sana

Nicholas Michalak, CEO of SomniFix

Bryan Fuller is the founder and CEO of DermaMedics, a skin care company that specializes in the discovery of anti-inflammatory and anti-aging technologies for the dermatology market.

Sanna Gaspard is the founder and CEO of Rubitection, a medical device startup that is empowering anyone to take the health of their skin into the palm of their hands with a skin wellness tool, the Rubitect Assessment System, that improves the detection, assessment, and care management of dermatological and vascular conditions.

Richard Hanbury is the founder of Sana, a neuromodulation wearable for the control of chronic pain, addiction, and anxiety.

And in the sleep space, Nicholas Michalak is the CEO of SomniFix, an over-the-counter solution to a complex issue: snoring and CPAP noncompliance. SomniFix Strips are noninvasive sleep aids that curb mouth breathing, which SomniFix says is a primary cause of snoring and CPAP noncompliance. By reducing the incidence of mouth breathing, SomniFix Strips ensure that users maintain optimal nasal breathing patterns to achieve the highest-quality sleep.

“Following the success of last year’s P&G Ventures Innovation Challenge at CES, I am excited to hear the pitches from this year’s four finalists,” says Leigh Radford, VP and GM of P&G Ventures, in a release. “These companies have the potential to change the way we live our lives, and we at P&G Ventures are looking forward to engaging with them and learning more about the innovative solutions they’re bringing to market.”

The winner of the 2020 Innovation Challenge will receive $10,000 from P&G Ventures, a complimentary invitation to the EY Strategic Growth Forum, and qualify as a finalist in a Techstars accelerator.

from Sleep Review http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2020/01/somnifix-finalist-pg-ventures-2020-innovation-challenge/

from https://www.perspectief.org/somnifix-is-a-finalist-in-pg-ventures-2020-innovation-challenge/