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Ventus Medical, a privately-held medical device company focused on products to treat sleep-disordered breathing, today announced that its proprietary Provent® Sleep Apnea Therapy, an innovative, non-invasive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, is now available in Hong Kong.  The HomeCare Medical Ltd., with over 17 years of sleep medicine experience, will be the exclusive distributor of Provent Sleep Apnea Therapy in Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong is a compact and relatively affluent population, with almost 10 percent of the general population suffering from obstructive sleep apnea," said Peter Wyles, president and chief executive officer of Ventus Medical. "As we expand into international markets like Hong Kong, we will continue to target patients with obstructive sleep apnea through local partners who are well-regarded within their respective countries."

People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) stop breathing - in some cases hundreds of times each night - usually for periods of ten seconds or longer. Often people with sleep apnea don't know they have the condition, but do know that they snore and occasionally wake up gasping for air. It is often their sleep partner who is aware of these symptoms and will urge them to go to the doctor. Because OSA is known to be associated with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and impotence, it is important for patients to seek a diagnosis and establish an effective treatment regime.

Approximately nine percent of people living in Hong Kong are affected by obstructive sleep apnea. Unfortunately, OSA often goes undiagnosed and therefore untreated.  Of the patients that do receive treatment, most are prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.  While extremely effective at treating OSA if worn as directed, more than half of all patients stop treatment with CPAP due to its cumbersome nature.  Provent Therapy was developed to help patients who do not use CPAP therapy regularly.

Provent Therapy is a prescription device indicated for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is an easy to use, disposable treatment that works across mild, moderate, and severe OSA. Provent has been clinically proven in numerous studies to reduce sleep apnea and works through its proprietary MicroValve technology that uses nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) to keep a patient's airway open during sleep. When going to sleep, a patient places the small Provent device over each nostril. The devices adhere to the skin through a hypoallergenic adhesive. When the patient breathes in through the nose, the valve opens allowing nearly unobstructed airflow. When exhaling, the valve closes, limiting airflow, increasing expiratory pressure to keep the airway open and prevent breathing disruptions. For more information, please visit www.proventtherapy.com.

Ventus Medical is a privately-held medical device company dedicated to providing non-invasive medical solutions for people with sleep-disordered breathing. Based on its innovative MicroValve technology and patented designs, Ventus has developed a unique line of clinically-proven medical devices to address the continuum of sleep disorders from severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to mild snoring. Ventus Medical devices work by creating expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) to effectively treat the underlying conditions. The company markets prescription-only Provent Therapy, a discreet, easy-to-use nasal device, for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the United States and Hong Kong, and is developing an over-the-counter device for snoring. SOURCE Ventus Medical

Rest Easy with Affordable, Reliable Sleep Solutions(SM)

CPAP-supplies.com, the newest provider of on-line CPAP devices and supplies, is now open for business.  Graymark Healthcare, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRMH), the second largest comprehensive sleep care provider in the United States, created the ecommerce site to offer Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) patients a professional and cost effective on-line source for their CPAP devices and supplies.   

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. provides comprehensive OSA therapy in over 90 communities; with Board Certified sleep medicine physicians overseeing all aspects of care, including diagnosis, therapy and ongoing clinical support.  Through CPAP-supplies.com Graymark Healthcare allows patients who know what machines or supplies they are looking for to benefit from Graymark's experience in providing care and its purchasing power.  We offer a wonderful opportunity for patients to acquire their treatment products at the lowest cost available regardless of where they live.

"Most obstructive sleep apnea patients have visited a doctor or sleep center and have used CPAP machines and masks before," says Timothy Lebens, Vice President for Marketing for CPAP-supplies.com.  "They don't need a lot of hand-holding or medical direction because they have already been instructed in the proper use of the equipment.  They will find they can order the exact same supplies online with a significant savings."

CPAP-supplies.com is staffed by certified respiratory therapists who are available to answer customer questions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Offering customer support from knowledgeable medical professionals sets the company apart from other online suppliers, according to Lebens.

"Our objective is to provide optimum solutions for patients at the lowest cost.  It is an easy, affordable and reliable sleep disorder solution," he said.  "We can provide the same products and services without having to provide the intensive level of care of a sleep center."

Lebens says CPAP-supplies.com carries the same high quality masks, supplies and machines as supplied by doctors or sleep centers, but the costs are much lower because they can provide the products more efficiently through the internet.  "People who already have a prescription and have visited a doctor or a sleep center are familiar with the mask and CPAP device options and they understand how to use the equipment.  CPAP-supplies.com allows patients to purchase the same equipment without going back to a clinic."

CPAP-supplies.com also reminds customers every three to six months that it is time to replace filters or tubes.  The reminder makes it easy for patients to re-order or remember when they need new supplies.

Lebens says CPAP-supplies.com was designed with patient input to make the process of ordering anything they need for OSA as comfortable an experience as possible.  "Graymark Healthcare, Inc. launched CPAP-supplies.com in an effort to increase patient compliance with the CPAP use and decrease the hassle of ordering supplies.  "We have created a reputable, professional and affordable solution for CPAP users," Lebens said.

For more information, visit www.CPAP-supplies.com.

For a great shopping experience, great value and knowledgeable care providers; visit us:  www.CPAP-supplies.com Rest Easy with Affordable, Reliable Sleep Solutions(SM).

Graymark Healthcare, Inc. is a diversified medical holding company that owns and operates diagnostic sleep centers that treat a wide range of sleep disorders; independent pharmacies that serve the needs of local markets; and a medical equipment company that provides both disposable and durable medical equipment. Graymark plans to continue its growth both internally and through strategic acquisitions within the medical industry.  (NASDAQ: GRMH)

SOURCE Graymark Healthcare, Inc.

New Strategic Direction and Marketing Campaign Encourage People to Sleep Healthy and 'Replace Every Eight'

Sit 'n Sleep, the mattress superstore dedicated to providing a good night's sleep to millions of Southern Californians, today launched a new campaign focused on educating consumers around the link between the right mattress and improved sleep health and well-being. Widely-known for its ubiquitous advertising campaigns touting the best prices in town, Sit 'n Sleep's new strategic direction and corresponding advertising campaign encourage consumers to consider how purchasing the right mattress for your body-type and personal needs impacts one's physical and mental condition, and also illuminates the little-known fact that old mattresses can adversely affect overall health. All Sit 'n Sleep stores now also feature body diagnostic technology, computerized sensors that measure each customer's unique body profile and custom fit them with just the right mattress.

"Your mattress is one of the primary factors impacting whether or not you get a healthy night's sleep, and healthy sleep means a healthy body," said Larry Miller, founder, president and CEO of Sit 'n Sleep. "Recent scientific studies show that too little sleep can impact your health, your sanity and even your marriage, and we are dedicating our time to educating consumers on how the mattress they sleep on every day impacts their sleep patterns. What's more, many don't know that old mattresses actually breed uninvited guests in the bed; millions of dust mites that build up over the years. It's time for us to stand up and say 'you spend a third of your life on a mattress - shouldn't you be certain it's taking care of you?'"

Sleep and Health:

The quality of one's mattress has been referenced as a primary factor affecting the quality of one's sleep, which impacts overall health and well-being. Recent reports(1) demonstrate how a good night's sleep means better health, better mental and emotional stability, stronger work performance and a better marriage and sex life. Poor sleep health has been tied to specific medical conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, depression, irregular hormone production, a weakened immune system, memory lapses, constant irritability and decreased concentration and reaction times.

Sleep and blood pressure: According to a 2009 report published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, sleep deprivation in middle aged people leads to high blood pressure levels.

Weight gain: According to a released by Merck Research Labs in 2009, there appears to be a link between sleep and weight control, with some studies indicating that sleep disruption can increase weight gain.

Depression: A study released in 2009 from Columbia University supports the idea that inadequate sleep could lead to depression.

Performance at work: Studies estimate that sleep deprivation currently costs U.S. businesses nearly $150 billion annually in absenteeism and lost productivity, according the Better Sleep Council 2007 Better Sleep Month survey.

Sex Life: Scientists in Israel released a 2008 study conducted at the Technion Sleep Center, which found that men who have less sleep than is medically required experience a substantial decrease in their sexual drive.

Marriage/relationships: A study related in 2009 by the University of Arizona found that how well a couple sleeps affects how the relationship functions the following day.

Academic performance: A study recently released from Hendrix College in Arkansas found that poor sleep was linked to poorer academic performance.

SOURCE Sit 'n Sleep

Health and wellness professionals and sleep experts alike concur that a comfortable night's sleep can make you feel better, have more energy and increase that spring in your step. Owning a high-quality, supportive and comfortable mattress and box spring is an essential part of getting the rest you need. With the dizzying array of bed and mattress products on the market today buying the right one can be a confusing experience.

According to Robin Azevedo, president of the McRoskey Mattress Company of San Francisco, buying a mattress doesn't have to be stressful or complicated. "The key is to always try a mattress out for personal comfort. Also, mattress shoppers should do their homework and know what manufacturing details point to quality construction and which mattress features help create a better night's sleep," says Azevedo.

She recommends considering these tips when shopping for a mattress:

First, know what signifies a quality mattress. When buying your next mattress, talk to your mattress salesperson about its construction. Things to look for:

• Multiple layers of fiber filling. These are cooler and more comfortable than foam.
• A double-sided mattress that can be flipped for use on both sides.
• An innerspring system that is supple yet provides strong support.
• Brass eyelets and vents on the borders which -- along with the innerspring system -- help the mattress breathe for a cooler, cleaner sleep.
• A box spring built with steel coils. This flexibility relieves pressure and enhances support and comfort. Avoid rigid platform construction.

Then, put the mattress to this physical test.

• Lie down.
• If two people share the bed, mattress-test together.
• Let your body tell you what's comfortable now. Your needs may have changed since you last bought a mattress.
• Size is an aspect of comfort. Choose a mattress that allows for free, easy movement.
• Comfort is personal. Firm is not necessarily better.
  

  SOURCE McRoskey Mattress Company

Here's a good sound machine option with white noise and plenty of other sounds.

The Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine, $129.95 at Brookstone.  Reviewers have given it 4.5 stars out of 5 in 170 reviews.

 

Here is their description:

Sleep soundly with our amazing Tranquil Moments® sleep sound machine!
Based on more than 23 years of scientific research, our Tranquil Moments sleep therapy system is a natural sleep aid that will help you achieve deeper states of sleep, relaxation and renewal. Our innovative sound machines for sleep use five nature soundscapes and seven clinically engineered sounds developed by the Center of Neuroacoustic Research. Just select 30-, 60- or 90-minute auto shut off and lay back for a great night's sleep.

A Brookstone exclusive, Tranquil Moments sound machines for sleep work like a dream!
Tranquil Moments sleep sound machines play sounds based on Delta, Alpha, or Theta brainwaves--coaxing your brain to "match" these frequencies and enter healthier states of repose. Choose from 12 relaxing sounds, including a summer chorus of crickets, authentic NASA recordings, and soothing white noise. Exclusive Sleep Enhancement Technology™ gradually slows playback speed over a 20-minute period to lull you to sleep. Uses AC adapter (included) or four AA batteries (not included).

It is very of a mother to not having tip toed in her baby's room just to listen to whether the tiny chest if her new born is moving in a gentle rhythm of breathing. Though the gentle rhythm of the baby is broken occasionally by stopped breathing as written in the earlier post, it is a concern only if this gap lasts for about 15 to 20 seconds.

These babies are put on home monitors, the main function of which is to sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing. There are three different types of apnea among infants and the variations in these complicate the function of a sleep monitor.

So the FDA is developing a mandatory performance standard for infant apnea monitors, the requirement for which is,
Battery back up for at least 8 hours
Audio visual alarms
Improper equipment performance sensors
Safeguards that prevent inadvertent disabling of the alarms
Remote alarm unit
Once the alarm goes off you only have a short time to revive the child and prevent any possible brain damage so you have to hurry up.
Remember to take advantage of the modern medical innovation and save your child.

Problem getting enough sleep, and feeling really irritated and restless due to lack of sleep, don't worry be happy, we have got something very interesting for you. Yes it is the Sleeptracker a sleeping aid which comes to the rescue of frequent travelers, busy moms, students, and businessmen, looking for that extra edge . 
It helps a person keep track of the sleep time, how much time should one sleep and what time should one wake up. Sleeptracker helps to get up easily and on time, to get the details please click here.

Pic courtesy bucklava on www.flickr.com

Many laboratories conduct different tests and scans to study the different sleep problems and learn the causes. Similarly there are many companies manufacturing various sleep scoring aids and devices.
In order to avail the best of sleep scoring devices and optimum solution to sleeping strategies most cost effectively please click here.

 

We have just read in the prior post that when we sleep our brain passes though different stages of sleep, producing different waves such as delta, beta, theta and alpha. As these waves change we drift from one stage of sleep to another, from deep sleep to dreams and then to wakefulness. But normally these brain waves are inaudible to the human ear. These rhythmic sleep cycles lasts for around 3 hours; however can we set aside 3 hours for a nap?
If the answer is no, then what is the remedy? All we need to do is close our eyes and listen to the power nap recording via stereo headphones and we can actually listen to the
brain waves which otherwise are inaudible. To know more about power nap click here

Here is a new wonder cure for insomnia that's based on nutrients.

Manufacturers of this product claim that it's a natural nutrient supplement which guarantees 100% results in overcoming sleeplessness. You don’t have to take medication nor do any sort of exercise and still you can not only enjoy a peaceful sleep, but always feel fresh and full of energy. We all know that good sleep can do wonders to the body, mind and soul.
Read more about the product here

One of the treatments available for sleep apnea is the use of devices called Positive Airway Pressure or PAP devices, which blow a fixed amount of air pressure constantly throughout the duration of the user’s sleep cycle. The air pressure forces the airway open and eliminates apneas or snoring. This can help users to get a restful night tremendously.

The older PAP machines used to be bulky, but the new generation ones are smaller and portable .

A recent report by Kalorama Information lists the different manufacturers in this market.

Pic courtesy Apria Healthcare website

Lisa Roberts writes in the Orlando Sentinel about the different types of mattresses on offer.  Really, I wasn't aware that there are so many variations in mattresses, "more than Baskin-Robbins has ice cream flavors" according to Roberts.

There are memory foam mattresses, ultra-plush mattresses, Select Comfort Sleep Number mattresses, pillowtops, Euro-tops, no-flips, luxury firm and plush models.  Yet a number of experts whom Roberts quotes say the choice is really upto you, whatever mattress feels good is right for you.

The article goes on to give some good hints on when to replace your old mattress, as well as some pretty technical information on what goes into the mattress.

I would recommend this informative article to all those considering buying a mattress; it can become a pretty major decision, one you have to live with more many years to come.

Read

Stone beds, popular among some people in Korea in the 1990s, seem to have found their way to America, possibly introduced by people of Korean origin.

These beds are like a flat bench,  and stone makes up just the top layer of an approximately 4-inch sleeping platform. The beds can be made of quartz, mica, topaz and several varieties of jade, and feature embedded heating coils that give off a low, radiant heat.

Another popular version of the bed - not quite as hard, but still very solid - has a vinyl surface covering a layer of specially formulated hardened mud.

Fans of the beds report that they help, rather than hurt, their backs, and can tick off their benefits: their radiant heat soothes muscles, they're hypoallergenic, they'll last forever.

And doctors can find no reasons to avoid these stone beds.

Timothy Radomisli, an orthopedic surgeon in Manhattan, said softer mattresses don't necessarily keep the spine aligned, and there's no definitive evidence that firmer mattresses are worse or better.

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Here is an innovative solution to apnea and snoring, especially for people who are uncomfortable with the CPAP. A Kissimmee, Florida based company has created the Sona Pillow, designed to prevent snoring and apnea by getting the user to sleep in the side position, and inclining the head so that the jaw is pulled forward by gravity. This stops the jaw from falling backwards and causing an obstruction in the throat.

The Sona Pillow may be utilized as an alternate to CPAP, mandibular devices and surgical procedures for the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea.

This pillow seems to hold promise, as it is the only product other than the CPAP to be certified by the FDA as an over-the-counter remedy for apnea.  It can be ordered on the site, at $ 69.99, and I certainly plan to get one for my loud sleep companion.

About.com's Interior Decorating section has some valuable tips on selecting the right pillow.

The function of the pillow is to support your head and keep your spine as straight as possible.  If you sleep on your back you need something fairly flat, while side sleepers should have something more substantial that can support their heads.

When choosing a filling, choose a down pillow if you like one that can be squished around. If you prefer one that will not shift around during the night, a firm foam pillow is right for you.

Check the firmness, and buy a firmer pillow if you sleep on your side, and a flatter, softer one if you sleep on your stomach.

You can expect a foam pillow to last for about two years, while a down one may last upto ten years.

Pic courtesy www.flickr.com

From the ehow site, here are some good guidelines on selecting the right pillow.

A good pillow feels comfortable and provides good support to the neck and back. Before you go shopping for a pillow, you should decide if you need a soft, medium or firm pillow.

The site gives these steps, tips and warnings for selecting a pillow:

Steps: 

1. Read labels to determine what a pillow is made of. Pillow fills can be polyester, foam, goose down or a combination of feathers and down. Down is usually more expensive. It's very soft and is easy to shape or mold to your head and body. Polyester, which is less expensive, is comfortable too, depending on the quality, but it won't fluff up the way down does. 
2. Check the amount of fill in the pillow (how full it is). The more fill, the firmer the pillow. 
3. Select a soft pillow if you sleep on your stomach or frequently move around. This will prevent you from straining your neck. 
4. Buy a medium pillow for good support if you sleep on your back. 
5. Try a firm pillow for maximum support if you sleep on your side. 
6. Choose a cover fabric that's soft and breathable. 
7. Make sure the pillow's seams are tightly sewn to prevent fill leakage. 
8. Look for labels that say "hypo-allergenic" if you have allergies to certain types of pillow fill. Most manufacturers make "allergy-free" pillows now. 
9. Purchase a pillow cover with a zipper if you suffer from allergies. It goes under your pillowcase and helps protect you from dust mites.

Tips: 

• Pillow costs vary by manufacturer but are generally determined by the type of fill, the thread count of the cover (a 310 thread count is the most expensive), and the quality of the stitching. 
• Most allergy sufferers find they're allergic to down and may want to purchase a pillow made of polyester or foam. 
• If you're allergic to down, note that some pillow manufacturers are now making pillows that separate the down into pockets or channels that keep the feathers from moving around. 
• Pillows stuffed with buckwheat hulls are gaining in popularity. The hulls are said to provide good neck and back support and are supposed to stay warm in winter and cool in summer. 

Warning: 
Replace your pillow if it's lumpy, flat, or stained or has a bad odor. 

Pic courtesy www.flickr.com

I found this product really interesting - Pillow Phonic's stereo pillow speakers, that connect to different audio devices like tape, CD, MP3 players, radio or TV. The speakers then play the sound through the pillow.

The pillow-speaker system can be ordered from the Pillow Phonic website and prices start at $ 25.95.

Some of the user testimonials on the site said "... I put in one of your tapes and in minutes I'm out. I can't even listen to the end of the tape because I'm sleeping way before it ends...." and another said "...I had taken pills to help me sleep for the past two years. Since the first
night I slept on my Pillow-Phonic I did not need the pills any more..."

I plan to get one immediately, then will remember not to play one of my heavy metal CDs to blast my sleep away!

A dental appliance now offers an alternative to apnea sufferers who need to use a CPAP system (continuous positive airway pressure). While the CPAP is effective, many people find it too cumbersome.

Dr. Kenneth Hilsen says, "One of the techniques for treating the most common sleep disorder, which is sleep apnea, is the use of an oral appliance.”

Though it looks like a sports mouth-guard, the top and bottom are joined together. The device holds the bottom jaw forward, preventing the tongue from relaxing into the airway during sleep.

Dr. Hilsen says, "If we just move the jaw forward, the tongue moves with it and the airway just becomes more open.”  The process to make the appliance is similar to other orthodontic work.

“We take impressions. We take special bites too so we know where the jaw should be placed, and we send that off to the laboratory.”

And since it's less bulky, patients are more apt to use it.  “Compliance is very high," Dr. Hilsen says. "People wear them for years.”

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published guidelines on the use of oral appliances for sleep apnea. The sleep specialists say that the devices are appropriate for mild to moderate sleep obstructive sleep apnea patients, and can even be used in patients with more serious cases if they aren’t using their CPAP machine.

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The worldwidehealthcenter.net site offers a ‘Magnetic Snore Free’ device to prevent snoring. This device magnetically stimulates the sensory nerves of the nose which open the nasal passage and help prevent snoring. The Snore Free is a small plastic ring with two rare earth magnets that fit onto the bottom of the nose.

Caution: As this is a magnetic product, you should not use it if fitted with any implanted electro-medical devices, such as a heart pacemaker.

I did not see any reports on the effectiveness of this device shared by users, so if you use it, do let me know if it helped you.

Available online for $ 22.45.

Axon Sleep Research Laboratories is beginning the testing phase of a new type of alarm clock called Sleep Smart. The idea is based on minimizing morning grogginess by waking sleep-deprived people during the optimal time in their sleep cycle. The "clock" is designed to monitor brainwaves to pinpoint the best time for that individual to wake up. Clinical trials at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence are scheduled for later this summer.

'Sleep inertia' is defined as a decline in motor dexterity and a feeling of grogginess, immediately following an abrupt awakening from deep sleep.

A University of Colorado study is the first to assess this state and how we perform tasks while in it. The study revealed that people exhibited the most severe impairments from sleep inertia during the groggy period upon awakening. Test subjects had diminished short-term memory, counting skills and cognitive abilities. The most severe effects of sleep inertia generally dissipated within the first 10 minutes, although researchers say its effects are often detectable for up to two hours.

Anyone who performs critical tasks immediately after waking may be vulnerable, since researchers found the cognitive deficiencies that occur when people first wake up are comparable to the effects of alcohol intoxication.

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The term 'pillow talk' just got a whole new meaning, with Japanese researchers having developed a cushion that offers pointers on how to get a good night's sleep.

The pillow, called 'Sleep Doctor', analyzes slumber patterns and subsequently provides 40 kinds of advice and encouragement on a miniature screen. Made of soft urethane fabric, it has sensors measuring head and body movements to calculate how much "pleasant sleep" you've had on a scale of 30 to 95 per cent.

"If you've been sleeping badly for several days, the pillow will tell you, for example, 'why don't you take it easy tonight. Try taking a long bath,'" says Naomi Adachi, head of lofty, a company that sells the product designed by Japan's sleep research institute.

"Or else on good sleeping days, it will bombard you with things like, 'you've been sleeping great, keep it up.'"  The pillow can also record sleeping patterns over a two-week period, and is designed to make a person aware of sleep habits, and improve them.

"But this pillow is not designed for you to fall asleep easier or better," warns Adachi.

The company plans to sell the pillow in September in Japan and overseas, including parts of Asia and North America.

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