PHILADELPHIA (March 31, 2004) — Depression. ADD. ADHD. Obesity. Middle age. Slacker. Sleep deprived. Stressed. Lazy. Underachiever. These descriptions are often used to classify people who end up being diagnosed with sleep disorders.
For many, getting diagnosed with a sleep disorder often comes after years of turmoil, denial, lost jobs, damaged relationships, possible auto accidents, and sometimes misdiagnosis of the problem. Some people have been told they were suffering depression, others have been told they "needed more sleep," yet in the end, the underlying problem needed to be addressed.
The fourth annual Pennsylvania Sleep Awareness Week forum, "Depression, Deprivation, or Disorder: Taking a Critical Look at Some Common Complaints," which will be held April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with seating for up to 80 in the Pennsylvania Suite at the Northeast Philadelphia Double Tree Hotel, located at Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue. Lunch will be provided for those attending the forum.
The forum is being held during the Fourth Annual Pennsylvania Sleep Awareness Week, which runs from April 2 through April 9 this year.
Speakers for this year's forum include:
Alan Backman, RPSGT, LRCP, RCPT, who, with more than 30 years in the clinical setting, serves as Deborah Heart and Lung Center's co-director of the Respiratory Care department, as well as oversees the facility's sleep lab
John Dixon is literally a UPPP survivor with a horror story to share. The UPPP destroyed his life, leading to a life-or-death ordeal
Steven Ladenheim, MD, medical director for Independence Blue Cross. Dr. Ladenheim was in clinical practice from 1983 to 2003 at Presbyterian Hospital, part of the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. He is also a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Barbara Simonds, RN, MSN, who serves as the Program Director of both the Sleep Disorder Program and the Neuroscience Institute at St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, NJ)
Trooper Dean Wright, Pennsylvania State Police, who will explain Pennsylvania law about drowsy driving, as well as share his own experience about drowsy driving in a patrol car.
Topics at this year's forum will include:
Contending with life's realities after UPPP
Depression and sleep disorders
Fatigued Driving and the Law, with an overview of the impact of "Maggie's Law"
Improving sleep hygiene
Sleep deprivation and adolescents
Sleep deprivation vs. sleep disorder: What's the difference?
Treatment of sleep disorders and insurance coverage
Treatment options for sleep disorders
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.
The impact of sleep disorders, especially apnea, on a person's life may be many, and appear in many forms, but there are some telltale signs. While the impact is unique in each person, some of the most common areas include causing excessive daytime sleepiness, increased risk for congestive heart failure, 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.
According to the National Center on Sleep Disorder Research, the health consequences of sleep disorders, sleep deprivation, and excessive daytime sleepiness annually affect 50 to 70 million Americans, add approximately $15 billion to our national health care bill, and cost industry $50 billion in lost productivity.
If someone stops breathing, it's always considered an emergency — unless it happens in bed. Each night this happens to more than 18 million Americans. In fact, it's caused by a disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea, and more than 90 percent of those affected are not yet diagnosed.
Researchers estimate that about seven percent of all people have sleep apnea, thus demonstrating that apnea is a silent killer, attacking while we least expect any danger — in our sleep — and is non-discriminatory.
A few manufacturers, including Puritan-Bennett, ResMed, Respironics, and will have displays set up at the forum. ResMed is sponsoring the meeting location for this year's forum.
There is no admission charge to attend the forum.
The Double Tree Hotel is conveniently located on SEPTA Route 14, as well as to Route 19. For public transportation guidance to the Double Tree Hotel, please contact SEPTA at 215-580-7800 or visit the SEPTA website.
Awake In Philly meetings are designed to offer support to anyone who must deal with the impact of sleep disorders, including the patient, the spouse, a co-worker or supervisor, researchers, physicians, attorneys, among others. Everyone is encouraged to attend the meetings.
Random Fact:
Interesting Apnea Statistics
~~ Apnea in the United States ~~
As of March 23, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (-0500), the U.S. population was 301,442,343. With new estimates
that about seven percent of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, that means
there are potentially 21,100,964 apneics in the U.S.
Apnea around the world ~~
As of March 23, 2007 at 10:54 a.m. (-0500), the world population was 6,584,093,711. With new estimates
that about seven percent of the population suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, that means
there are potentially 460,886,560 apneics in the world.
Awake In Philly is a community education group for individuals who have been
diagnosed with at least one of the recognized sleep disorders, as well as anyone
else impacted by those with sleep disorders. The information contained in this
site is intended to provide support, guidance, and encouragement to others contending
with the many challenges of sleep disorders. The goals of Awake In Philly are to support, educate, and inform those who feel the impact of sleep disorders,
as well as the general public, and is not intended to replace medical
advice, nor is any information to be misinterpreted as an attempt to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
If you have questions about any of the medical conditions mentioned on this website, especially if you suspect that you (or someone you know) has sleep apnea, please
contact a qualified medical professional immediately. Medical advice should only come from qualified, licensed, and trained healthcare professionals.
Citation: David F. Jackson.
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