Reason No. 1,475,182 to treat your sleep apnea — it could increase your risk of cancer, according to a recent ABC News report.
  Yes, there are many studies linking everything to everything.
  The bottom line is we know sleep apnea is hazardous to your health in many ways so the sooner you address it, the better.
  Watch this report to learn more. And this one, also from ABC News, on sleep apnea and high blood pressure includes a plug for CPAP.

  This definitely a time to say, “Why didn’t I think of that?”
  Seriously, why didn’t I?
  CPAP Holders can be described as a device that is simply a tray — which holds your CPAP machine — connected to a board that slides between your mattress and boxspring.
  It is touted as a space saver as the machine is no longer cluttering your nightstand or sitting on the floor. Also, having the machine closer to your head with the hose raised makes for maximum CPAP effectiveness and flexibility.
  CPAP Holders’ product is easy to assemble as screws and washers are included to attach the holder to the bedboard. There also are velcro straps to hold the machine in place.
  It comes from Dallas-based JMark Unlimited. Its founder came up with the idea for his personal use the day his machine arrived after being concerned about a lack of space on his nightstand — and the danger of the pricey machine accidentally falling. He reasoned having it on the floor makes vacuuming difficult.
  My machine was on the floor — which I never really liked the idea of — until I sampled the holder and it does make vacuuming easier. The aesthetic and sanitary benefits are bonuses, as well. As CPAP Holders’ website says, “the machine virtually disappears in the room.”
 The best inventions are common sense-based and this certainly falls into that category.

  Aside from living in paradise, a Hawaiian man will now have a clean CPAP machine — thanks to his wife’s poetic plea.
  Toni Davis of Hawaii won a free SoClean CPAP sanitizing unit for her husband via Massachusetts company Better Rest Solutions’ No More Nasty Mask Facebook contest.
  About 200 people submitted entries on behalf of themselves or loved ones to be selected among the three most compelling tales awarded with a free SoClean.
  If you recall, I tried the SoClean and sang its praises in a past blog entry. It’s an incredibly easy means of ensuring your equipment is safe and sanitary. Scroll down a bit to see my full review.
  I have to share Davis’ poem, titled, “Snore no more.”
    My hubby uses his CPAP every night,
    without it his snoring’s a fright,
    he keeps his machine as clean as he can,
    he happens to be a germophobic man.

    He’d be so happy to win this sanitizing unit,
    It certainly would be a very big hit,
    He could keep his CPAP squeaky clean,
    get a good sleep and have a sweet dream.

  Second place went to Joann Carney, an Oregon “alien” grandmother.

  The Alien
  I watch my grandchildren and I am always telling them I am a friendly alien that will protect them, so that way they are not afraid of my mask as it’s a full face mask. So now I am the alien Grammy… lol. I have 18 grandchildren and they share with their friends that it’s ok for people to wear this equipment and how it helps them, and the younger ones tell about their Grammy the alien lol.

  The third place winner went to Stephanie Thomas, a Washington woman who has a deteriorating mask but is committed to treating her apnea.

  CPAP...a blessing...
 I did my sleep study nearly 6 years ago. I have not been able to get a new CPAP mask since then. It has broken where the forehead piece connects to the rest of the mask. My hose has holes in it so I really don’t have a full flow of air. It’s very discolored and the Velcro is very weak so I have to keep readjusting for a snug fit. But in order to keep healthy I have to wear it.

  All of these stories are compelling and relatable in their own way to the CPAP community — caring for a spouse with apnea, easing children’s fears and dealing with a lack of insurance.
  Kudos to Better Rest Solutions for helping these deserving people and enhancing the CPAP experience.

  One of the scariest things about undiagnosed, untreated sleep apnea is when these overly tired people get behind the wheel.
  Especially when they are controlling a several-ton semi-truck.
  A California company, Aviisha Medical Institute, LLC, is recognizing that in May — which is Better Sleep Month — by offering a discount to truckers who purchase its home sleep test.
  The home test collects data during sleep after which the device is returned to the company. Aviisha follows up with a diagnosis and a treatment recommendation.
  It is touted as a cheaper approach than going the route of the traditional lab test. Obviously, check with your insurance before making a commitment.
  I don’t know enough about the home test to give a ringing endorsement but I like to present all options.
  The full text of the press release, which includes some sobering statistics, is below:

Van Nuys, Calif. — Aviisha Medical Institute, LLC, an industry leader in portable home diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea, will be taking $100 off the cost of its home sleep test for commercial drivers throughout May in honor of Better Sleep Month.
Aviisha hopes that making the test more accessible will encourage drivers to get tested and treated, promoting better health, better safety, and better sleep, as well as help prevent the many diseases associated with untreated sleep apnea. Commercial drivers anywhere in the U.S. will be able to get tested in the comfort of their home.
Studies have shown that drivers with untreated sleep apnea are at a 7-fold increased risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash. Researchers believe that drowsy driving, one consequence of untreated sleep apnea, is a factor in more than 100,000 crashes per year.
Moreover, it is estimated that 2.4-3.9 million licensed commercial drivers have sleep apnea.
“One of the major concerns we have is that most people with sleep apnea don’t know they have it,” said Dr. Avi Ishaaya, MD, Aviisha’s cofounder and CEO. Studies estimate that 85 percent of sleep apnea sufferers don’t know they have the condition. “A strong predictor of sleep apnea is being overweight or obese, but research shows that most people who are overweight or obese don’t know it either.”
A recent poll discovered that 70 percent of obese individuals and 39 percent of morbidly obese individuals consider themselves simply “overweight.” Sleep apnea has been strongly linked with being overweight or obese; as many as 70 percent of sleep apnea sufferers are obese.
Treating sleep apnea can improve driver alertness, leading to fewer car accidents. It also can help prevent the occurrence of sleep apnea’s long list of associated diseases such as diabetes, stroke, heart failure, heart attacks, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, depression, and anxiety.
“The first step is getting assessed and tested, and we’ve tried to make it as simple and convenient as possible through the DriveSafe program,” said Dr. Avi.
Aviisha offers the complete package a driver needs to address sleep apnea and get certified, including screening, evaluation, home testing, treatment, and compliance management. The home sleep test and treatment device are covered by most major insurance companies.
To order the home sleep test, call 877-4AVIISHA or visit sleep.aviisha.com and use the promo code DriveSafe.

About Aviisha
Aviisha, a national leader in home sleep care, works with physicians and patients around the country to provide comprehensive, convenient, affordable and expedient services to address the emerging sleep apnea epidemic. Aviisha’s services include screening, home sleep testing, treatment, compliance management, and education. Additionally, Aviisha operates fully accredited sleep labs in Southern California and the MD Home Sleep Program which enables both sleep and non-sleep physicians to diagnose and treat sleep apnea. For more information visit sleep.aviisha.com or call 877-4AVIISHA.