You Have the Same Equipment Shaq Does

At National Sleep Therapy, everyone gets the top of the line equipment. That's what makes us different. Great care and the best equipment available.

Did you know that Shaquille O'Neil has sleep apnea? Watch this video and see just how common this is. I'm sure you'll get a chuckle seeing Shaq try on his nasal pillow!

A Great Cause - Just a Click Away!

National Sleep Therapy is a proud sponsor of the American Sleep Apnea Association. The ASAA is your advocate in Washington and with doctors across the country promoting better benefits and better health care for people with sleep apnea. For every person that "likes" us on Facebook, we will donate $1 to the American Sleep Apnea Association. Wow, what an easy way to support a great cause. Click away!

National Sleep Therapy Goes to SLEEP!

The largest sleep industry medical conference is being held this June in Minneapolis! We'll be there to present some very interesting research we've done. Thanks to all of you, you are some of the most successful CPAP users in the country.

We'll be at the SLEEP 2011 medical conference looking hard for the best equipment and techniques to help you manage your sleep apnea. We know many of the top doctors and equipment manufacturers in the country. It's like you're getting back stage passes! We'll post all the exciting news and information we find each day on our Facebook page. Check it each day for updates and let us know what you think.

QUESTION: "What do I need to know about travelling with my CPAP this summer?"

ANSWER: This is a popular topic this time of year. I like to break it down into three categories.

Travelling by Air: Your CPAP machine will be inspected at the security checkpoints, but it will not count as a carry-on bag. In rare cases, however, if TSA has a problem X-raying your machine, they may ask you to check it. It is always a good idea to call ahead to find out if your specific airline has any additional requirements, as well as carry a copy of your prescription with you when you travel. If you don't have a copy of your prescription let us know, we can help.

Camping, or going without power: If you cannot plug your device in to an AC power outlet at a camp site, you can use an alternative form of power like a marine or car battery, or a battery pack designed for CPAPs. To connect to a marine or car battery, you will need an adaptor cord. We can help you get an adaptor cord, please contact us if you would like one. If you would like to use a battery pack designed for CPAPs, they typically cost around $300 and there are several to choose from. They do weigh much less than a marine or car battery, and are much more portable. Most likely, the manufacturer of your device offers these. If you are interested in purchasing a battery pack, we can help with that as well.

International Travel: Your CPAP will operate on international outlets, but may need a converter specifically for the outlet so you can plug the US power cord into a foreign wall outlet. Most CPAPs will not need an external converter to lower the voltage, but check with your manufacturer if you are not sure.

Have questions for Jake? Send us an email.

Idea of the Month

"Peer Buddies"

The VA Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia is testing an idea to match newly diagnosed CPAP patients with seasoned therapy users. The hope is that having a supportive peer for the first 3 months of therapy will encourage CPAP users to keep up the hard work and ultimately become compliant. To read the full study, click here.

What do you think? Take our poll

Would you have used a peer buddy when you first started CPAP?

Would you ever volunteer to be a peer buddy for a new CPAP user?

It's Finally Here!

The Philips/ Respironics System One BIPAP SV for Complex Sleep Apnea

BIPAP autoSV Advanced-System One was specifically designed and clinically validated to treat complicated sleep-disordered breathing patients. By combining the autoSV Advanced algorithm with the System One platform, the product treats complex sleep-disordered breathing patients and incorporates the Encore patient data management and reporting system, giving clinicians the ability to access real-time patient compliance data including:

• Detailed patient and usage
information
• AHI, leak, and periodic breathing data
• Detailed patient-flow waveform data

Read More

Your Favorite Video
The Body Basics video was a huge hit last month. If you haven't watched it yet, see it here.

Body Basics
How sleep apnea
impacts your body
and how therapy
restores your
health

Make it Easy
Did you receive a check from your insurance company? To avoid additional fees, please sign it, and mail immediately with the EOB to:

National Sleep Therapy
308 US -1
Scarborough, ME 04074

Oops! Already deposited the check? Make your full payment online.
Go to www.nstherapy.com
Pay by credit card or check

Keeping you Healthy!
A unique program to keep you healthy.
At National Sleep Therapy, we work hard to provide intelligent and respectful care. We know the first few weeks of sleep therapy are the most important time for adjusting to the machine and the mask. To help you through this time, our clinicians will call you periodically to be proactive in your health. Let us know if you have any questions about usage, cleaning, or supplies.

Our follow-up plan includes:
+ A clinical phone call on day 3
+ Calls on day 30, 60 and 90
+ A quick call each quarter
+ Our Healthy Advantage Supply Program to keep your equipment working like new

Questions? Call us toll-free at 888.867.8840 or email support@nstherapy.com

Enter to win a free iPod!

National Sleep Therapy cares about your experiences on CPAP therapy and with our company. Complete our survey and be entered to win an iPod.
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