CPAP or BiPAP Should Always Tag Along;
Some Meds Need to Be Avoided

PHILADELPHIA (December 18, 2002) — Being a fully-prepared, well-informed healthcare consumer means knowing about certain medications you should avoid, as well as other precautions you may wish to take.

With sleep disorders, and in particular, sleep apnea, certain medications should be avoided because of possible intoxicating or sleep-inducing effects. Dr. Ronald L. Kotler, of Pennsylvania Hospital, will give a presentation on these issues, as well as touch on other areas of importance to those who suffer sleep disorders.

Dr. Kotler, who has more than 17 years of experience in sleep medicine, has been the Respiratory Director for Pennsylvania Hospital's Sleep Disorder Center for a decade.

The first Awake In Philly meeting of 2003 will be held Wednesday, January 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Northeast Regional Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia, 2228 Cottman Ave.

Sleep disorders, which contribute to the national sleep debt, are more prevalent than most people believe. In fact, it's estimated that approximately one in every five people suffers from at least one sleep disorder. Sleep apnea, narcolepsy, periodic leg movements, and insomnia are just a few of the many sleep disorders that can, and do, rob us of the sleep we need.

Sleep disorders, especially apnea, can impact a person's life in many ways, including causing excessive daytime sleepiness, heart and lung damage, greater risk of stroke and high blood pressure, memory loss, the potential for greater involvement in traffic accidents because of tiredness, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, a decrease in productivity, weight gain, among others.

A Control 3 Home Care Kit, from Maril Products, will be given away at the meeting. Maril Products donated the Home Care Kit to Awake In Philly for giveaway at the meeting. See the rules for all details.

Awake In Philly sponsors, in alphabetical order, include B.F. Ascher & Co., Inc.; the Free Library of Phila. (NE Regional Library); Hans Rudolph, Inc.; Maril Products; and Respironics, Inc..

The Northeast Regional Library is conveniently located on several SEPTA bus routes, as well as being conveniently located near a SEPTA train station. For public transportation to the Northeast Regional Library, please call SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website at http://www.septa.org.

The Northeast Regional Library is about one-half mile northwest of Cottman Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, and may be contacted at 215-685-0501. Driving directions to the library may be accessed on the Awake In Philly site at http://www.AwakeInPhilly.org/Meetings/NERL.shtml.

Awake In Philly meetings are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep apnea, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.

Contact Dave Jackson at:
PhillyAwake@scoop0901.net