Oak Ridge United Methodist Church...Putting God first
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August is Sleep Apnea Month

The Greek word "apnea" literally means "without breath."  There are three types of apnea:  obstructive, central, and mixed; and of the three, obstructive is the most common.  Despite the difference in the root cause of each type, in all three, people with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep.  In central sleep apnea, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.  Mixed apnea, as the name implies, is a combination of the two.  With each apnea event, the brain briefly arouses people with sleep apnea in order for them to resume breathing, but consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality.

Sleep apnea is very common, as common as adult diabetes, and affects more than twelve million Americans, according

to the National Institutes of Health.  Risk factors include being male, overweight, and over the age of forty, but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children.  Yet still, because of the lack of awareness by the public and healthcare professionals, the vast majority remain undiagnosed and therefore untreated, despite the fact that this serious disorder can have significant consequences.

Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other cardiovascular disease, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches.  Moreover, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle crashes.  Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated.  Several treatment options exist, and research into additional options continues.

From the American Sleep Apnea Association

Submitted by Sylvia Haley, RN

Health Classes

The following informational classes are open to the public at area hospitals during the month of August.  Registration is required and can be completed by calling 832-8000.

Oral Cancer Screening:  Regular checkups that include an examination of the entire mouth can detect the early stages of oral cancer.  If you use tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipes or chewing tobacco, you are at greater risk and should be checked.  These products are particularly dangerous when combined with heavy alcohol intake.  The screening is for those who have not seen a dentist in the last 12 months,and is quick, easy, and painless.  No registration required. Friday, Aug. 1, 9am-1pm, HealthServe Community Health Clinic, 1002 S. Eugene St.

Ovarian Cancer:  A silent cancer that does not have obvious signs or symptoms until its late stages.  Daniel Clarke-Pearson, MD, gynecologic oncologist at the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will discuss the symptoms to look for as well as treatment options for ovarian cancer.  If you don't hear what your body is saying, come listen to an expert who does. Monday, Aug. 4, 6-7 pm, Wesley Long Community Hospital, Classroom 1.

Heart-Healthy Lifestyles for Women:  Paula V. Ross, MD, a cardiologist with LeBauer HeartCare, shares ways for women to reduce their risks for heart disease and live heart-healthy lifestyles.  Tuesday, Aug. 12, 7-9 pm, The Women's Hospital, Classrooms 5 and 6.

See a Clear Future:  Strategies for Coping with Low Vision:  Kathryn Rine, an occupational therapist with Moses Cone Health System Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, discusses low vision, a frequent problem which can lead to reduced independence and falls.  Wednesday, Aug. 27, 5:30-7pm, Moses Cone Hospital, AHEC Rooms 0029-0031.

FREE BALANCE SCREENINGS:  The Moses Cone Health System Outpatient Rehabilitation Center offers free balance and fall-prevention screenings.  The physical therapist will screen skills and balance to determine if patients are at risk for falls and will make follow-up recommendations.  Call with questions or to schedule an appointment:  Moses Cone Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Adams Farm, 218-0531; Guilford College, 315-4760; Brassfield, 282-6339; or North Church Street, 271-4840.

Submitted by Sylvia Haley, Parish Nurse