logo
Weather page
GET THE APP
ePaper
google_play
app_store
  • Login
  • E-Edition
    • Marketplace
  • News
  • Sports
  • Obituaries
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • All Listings
    • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Photo Gallery
  • Contests
  • Lifestyle/Entertainment
  • Games
    • News
      • Local News
      • PA State News
      • Nation/World
    • Sports
      • Local
      • College Sports
      • State
      • National
    • Obituaries
    • Opinion
      • News
        • Local News
        • PA State News
        • Nation/World
      • Sports
        • Local
        • College Sports
        • State
        • National
      • Obituaries
      • Opinion
    logo
    • Classifieds
      • Place an Ad
      • All Listings
      • Jobs
    • E-Edition
      • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Login
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • All Listings
        • Jobs
      • E-Edition
        • Marketplace
      • Subscribe
      • Login
    Home Archives Sleep problems could lead to bigger problems
    Sleep problems could lead to bigger problems
    Archives
    June 13, 2007

    Sleep problems could lead to bigger problems

    By SANDRA RHODES

    People shouldn’t lay down on the job when it comes to getting a
    good night sleep.

    “It’s just like diet and exercise,” said Dr. Nancy Collop, a
    native of Bradford, associate professor of Medicine at Johns
    Hopkins University, and director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep
    Disorders Center.

    Collop spoke recently about sleep disorders, especially sleep
    apnea, at Bradford Regional Medical Center.

    “People are not as effective if they’ve been up all night,”
    Collop said. “People don’t take sleep seriously. They think it can
    be put off. It can’t.”

    Sleep apnea is when a person’s breathing stops or gets very
    shallow while they are sleeping. Each pause in breathing typically
    lasts 10 to 20 seconds or more; these pauses can occur 20 to 30
    times or more an hour. It’s a common disorder, but can lead to
    serious consequences.

    “If you’re not breathing, you’re not getting the oxygen,” Collop
    said. “There’s chronic oxygen deprivation.”

    This can lead to serious problems such as high blood pressure
    and possibly diabetes.

    Those typically affected by sleep apnea are obese, middle-aged
    males. Seventy percent of those diagnosed are obese.

    And people don’t realize how important sleep is.

    “People seem to put it off,” Registered Respiratory Therapist
    Ken Vosler said of sleep. “They don’t make sleep a priority … It
    connects to everything, especially mood.”

    The group suggested sleeping in a dark room with a fan running
    to keep out the noise.

    But if that doesn’t work, a trip to the sleep lab may be in
    order.

    People are not aware if they have problem, Collop said, because
    “they are asleep.”

    How do people know they have a problem and aren’t just
    tired?

    “That’s why they do sleep studies,” Vosler said, adding that if
    someone doesn’t feel refreshed even though they’ve slept six to
    eight hours, “something is wrong.”

    “They can sleep 10 hours and never feel refreshed,” he said.

    Some patients had been tired for 20 to 30 years, but didn’t know
    what it was like to feel refreshed.

    Some signs to look for include:

    – using the bathroom a lot

    – waking up in the middle of the night

    – gasping for air

    – waking up with a headache.

    The most important thing, however, is to have it diagnosed and
    treated.

    Doctors order continuous positive airway press (CPAP) machine
    for those with sleep apnea. This provides a “close connection
    between the machines and lungs.” Forced air allows the person to
    breath.

    The machine can be adjusted to fit the person’s needs, the group
    said.

    “They get better immediately after the first night,” Collop
    said.

    The units are portable and can be taken anywhere.

    “Most patients say, ‘this is the best night sleep I’ve had in
    years,'” Vosler said.

    Over time, the patients not only get a good night’s sleep, they
    can also have better blood pressure and diabetes control.

    Therapy reduces the risk of sudden death or someone dying in
    their sleep.

    Penny Oyler, director of cardiopulmonary services at BRMC, said
    one example is someone who could be on three medications for high
    blood pressure and once they are diagnosed, they are taken off of
    some medications.

    Dr. Frank Arnal, a pulmonologist at BRMC, said he has people who
    come to him for other symptoms, including congestive heart failure
    and leg swelling, but can also be treated for sleep apnea.

    Sleep apnea is treated more often, Arnal said, because there’s
    more obesity, plus there’s more awareness, including more sleep
    labs.

    The sleep clinic has been open for four years. It’s equipped
    with two beds and is open Monday through Thursday.

    “There’s more awareness,” Oyler said.

    It’s also a disorder that affects people of all ages.

    “It’s just education,” Collop said. “Educate patients this is to
    give them a better quality of life.”

    Tags:

    archives

    The Bradford Era

    Local & Social

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Latest news for you
    Big 30 Banquet celebrates Determination, Strength of Character
    Football, Local Sports
    Big 30 Banquet celebrates Determination, Strength of Character
    Jo Wankel 
    July 31, 2025
    The Big 30 All-Star Charities Classic banquet was held Thursday night at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, celebrating this year’s group of ta...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Still time to apply: Foundation seeks apps to assist Northeast Potter County
    Local News
    Still time to apply: Foundation seeks apps to assist Northeast Potter County
    July 31, 2025
    SAYRE — The Community Foundation for the Twin Tiers, through its Northeastern Potter Economic Development Association (NEPEDA) Fund, seeks proposals f...
    Read More...
    Ag Progress Days showcase advanced tech, animal health, invasives
    PA State News
    Ag Progress Days showcase advanced tech, animal health, invasives
    July 31, 2025
    UNIVERSITY PARK — A new initiative aimed at developing emerging and advanced technologies to enhance food production, agricultural ecosystems and natu...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    ‘Change Making Change’
    Local News
    ‘Change Making Change’
    July 31, 2025
    A check for $780 was presented to Joe Doriguzzi, center, manager at the Friendship Table , by Connie Shanks on behalf of the Bradford Creative and Per...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Kids and Cancer run a roaring success
    Local News
    Kids and Cancer run a roaring success
    By SAVANNAH BARR s.barr@bradfordera.com 
    July 31, 2025
    Sometimes, the loudest engines can carry the softest hearts. The 28th Annual Kids and Cancer Benefit Run returned to the area July 26, drawing nearly ...
    Read More...
    {"newsletter-daily-headlines":"Daily Headlines", "newsletters":"Newsletters", "to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    Steelers training camp battles: Jaylen Warren, Payton Wilson hold on to roles; Yahya Black pushes for time
    Football, National Sports
    Steelers training camp battles: Jaylen Warren, Payton Wilson hold on to roles; Yahya Black pushes for time
    CHRISTOPHER CARTER Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
    July 31, 2025
    (TNS) —At the start of Steelers training camp, we focused on five key camp battles we'd watch. Now that we're a full week into training camp with six ...
    Read More...
    {"to-print":"To print", "bradfordera-website":"Website"}
    This Week's Ads
    Current e-Edition
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Already a subscriber? Click the image to view the latest e-edition.
    Don't have a subscription? Click here to see our subscription options.
    Mobile App

    Download Now

    The Bradford Era mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the Bradford Era on your mobile device just as it appears in print.

    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store

    Help Our Community

    Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You!

    Get in touch with The Bradford Era
    Submit Content
    • Submit News
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Place Wedding Announcement
      • Submit News
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Place Wedding Announcement
    Advertise
    • Place Birth Announcement
    • Place Anniversary Announcement
    • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
      • Place Birth Announcement
      • Place Anniversary Announcement
      • Place Obituary Call (814) 368-3173
    Subscribe
    • Start a Subscription
    • e-Edition
    • Contact Us
      • Start a Subscription
      • e-Edition
      • Contact Us
    CMG | Community Media Group
    Illinois
    • Hancock Journal-Pilot
    • Iroquois Times-Republic
    • Journal-Republican
    • The News-Gazette
      • Hancock Journal-Pilot
      • Iroquois Times-Republic
      • Journal-Republican
      • The News-Gazette
    Indiana
    • Fountain Co. Neighbor
    • Herald Journal
    • KV Post News
    • Newton Co. Enterprise
    • Rensselaer Republican
    • Review-Republican
      • Fountain Co. Neighbor
      • Herald Journal
      • KV Post News
      • Newton Co. Enterprise
      • Rensselaer Republican
      • Review-Republican
    Iowa
    • Atlantic News Telegraph
    • Audubon Advocate-Journal
    • Barr’s Post Card News
    • Burlington Hawk Eye
    • Collector’s Journal
    • Fayette County Union
    • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
    • Independence Bulletin-Journal
    • Keokuk Daily Gate City
    • Oelwein Daily Register
    • Vinton Newspapers
    • Waverly Newspapers
      • Atlantic News Telegraph
      • Audubon Advocate-Journal
      • Barr’s Post Card News
      • Burlington Hawk Eye
      • Collector’s Journal
      • Fayette County Union
      • Ft. Madison Daily Democrat
      • Independence Bulletin-Journal
      • Keokuk Daily Gate City
      • Oelwein Daily Register
      • Vinton Newspapers
      • Waverly Newspapers
    Michigan
    • Iosco County News-Herald
    • Ludington Daily News
    • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
    • Oscoda Press
    • White Lake Beacon
      • Iosco County News-Herald
      • Ludington Daily News
      • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
      • Oscoda Press
      • White Lake Beacon
    New York
    • Finger Lakes Times
    • Olean Times Herald
    • Salamanca Press
      • Finger Lakes Times
      • Olean Times Herald
      • Salamanca Press
    Pennsylvania
    • Bradford Era
    • Clearfield Progress
    • Courier Express
    • Free Press Courier
    • Jeffersonian Democrat
    • Leader Vindicator
    • Potter Leader-Enterprise
    • The Wellsboro Gazette
      • Bradford Era
      • Clearfield Progress
      • Courier Express
      • Free Press Courier
      • Jeffersonian Democrat
      • Leader Vindicator
      • Potter Leader-Enterprise
      • The Wellsboro Gazette
    © Copyright The Bradford Era 43 Main St, Bradford, PA  | Terms of Use  | Privacy Policy
    Powered by TECNAVIA