According to the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA), the word “apnea” is Greek for “without breath.” Sleep apnea is an involuntary interruption in breathing that happens while the patient is sleeping. The three different types of sleep apnea are:

• Obstructive
• Central
• Mixed

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common of the three. Although there is a difference in the cause of each type of sleep apnea, the common thread in all types is the patient stops breathing during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times, and often for one minute or longer. A CPAP mask aids in providing oxygen to the patient during these times. 

Colleen Bazzani is a registered Sleep Technologist and the Clinical Sleep Health Educator at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. She is one of just four people in the state of Minnesota with a certification in Clinical Sleep Health. I spoke with Colleen about sleep apnea and how the ASAA and the West Metro A.W.A.K.E meetings in Minneapolis can help those with sleep disorders.

Tell us about the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA) and how you serve individuals living with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders in Minneapolis.

The ASAA is a non-profit organization that promotes awareness of sleep apnea, continually works to find improvements in treatments for sleep disorders and advocates for the interests of patients. Through education and research, their goal is to increase sleep apnea awareness with the hope of reducing unnecessary injuries, disabilities and premature deaths associated with this disorder.

Colleen hosts the West Metro A.W.A.K.E meetings through the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA). A.W.A.K.E meetings have been held in this area since the late 1980’s with an ongoing mission to help individuals with sleep disorders. Their goal is to educate, provide resources and treat the patients with disorders. There is no cure for apnea, except maybe weight loss or surgery, and as people get older their bodies change, including the throat area. These body changes affect breathing and is the main cause for apnea. Sleep apnea tends to be worse as people age. It is a chronic disease, with lifelong effects, can be hereditary, and also very serious if left untreated.

What does A.W.A.K.E stand for and what does this support group offer?

A.W.A.K.E stands for Alert, Well and Keeping Energetic. The A.W.A.K.E group offers education and health information, along with the tools needed, to people with sleep apnea enabling them to manage their own health care successfully. At the quarterly West Metro area A.W.A.K.E support group meetings in Minneapolis, there will typically be a guest speaker or specific health related topics of discussion, such as weight loss, diabetes, CPAP, or high blood pressure. Participants are welcome to attend other group meetings in the area. It is a non-profit group, and there is no buying or selling of products and services at the meetings, just information for the attendees. Each group runs their meetings differently, but the West Metro meetings will usually have ‘what’s new in CPAP’ information, a demonstration of new masks and other educational materials. The meetings are held in March, August and December in the afternoon and evening. Typically 100 – 300 people attend each meeting. For more information on an A.W.A.K.E meeting in your area, visit:

http://www.sleepapnea.org/support/a.w.a.k.e.-network-map.html

What role do CPAP masks play in helping people sleep better?

CPAP masks play the comfort role. There are various styles on the market, such as in the nose, over the nose, and a total face mask being just a few options. When looking for a well-fitting mask, comfort is key. The patient doesn’t want to experience any redness or breakdown of the skin, and the mask must fit properly and comfortably in different sleep positions and without a feeling of claustrophobia. A proper fitting mask will ensure better compliance with their therapy.

Can you share some information about local events taking place?

In the fall, there is a sleep awareness campaign with a focus on technical skills within the organization. We also go into local schools and talk to the students in health class and discuss the importance of sleep health, sleep deprivation and the effects, both mentally and physically, poor sleep health will have on the teenage body. This includes our quarterly A.W.A.K.E meetings and ongoing CPAP education classes offered at the Methodist Sleep Disorder Center.

What is the typical patient looking for and how does Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment fit their needs?

Many times, a patient needs educational help, new equipment ideas or assistance with technology. Sometimes the patient is just looking to update their CPAP mask and equipment. Liberty Oxygen and Medical Equipment has an experienced staff at each of their eight locations that is courteous and willing to assist the customer with their questions or with CPAP equipment. Liberty Oxygen has a large selection of different styles, manufacturers, and equipment so the patient can be more in control of their own health with all the selections and options available. The knowledgeable staff also helps their customers each day with insurance questions and have become ‘experts’ in the insurance system.

Is there any upcoming event information or resources you can share with the Liberty Oxygen customers?

The next A.W.A.K.E meeting will be held December 2, 2015, at the St. Louis Park Recreation Center. There will be two meeting times at 4:00 and 7:00. Both meetings will have a guest speaker and will last approximately one hour. The December guest speaker will be ResMed, a CPAP manufacturer. The meetings are free of charge, no RSVP needed and snacks and beverages are offered. Both sessions are the same, so those interested will only need to attend one. There is also a Sleep Fair in March that we will be involved in. There are no dates established for this event yet. Also, the Methodist Sleep Disorder Center hosts CPAP education classes on an ongoing basis with afternoon and evening sessions available. These education classes are great for new CPAP users.