CDC: October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome awareness month

About 3,500 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly each year in the United States. These deaths, labeled Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID), are investigated thoroughly to determine their causes. About half of SUIDs are determined to be the result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

SIDS is the sudden death of an infant less than 12 months old which can't be explained following autopsy, examination of the scene, and review of medical history. SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants aged 1 to 12 months.  

Other causes of SUID include Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed (ASSB) due to accidental suffocation or strangulation by soft bedding, by "overlay" (when another person rolls on top of or against the infant), by wedging or entrapment (when an infant is trapped two objects, or by strangulation (such as when an infant's head and neck get caught between crib railings).

The most important takeway is that it is critical that caregivers practice safe sleeping practices with their infants to prevent unnecessary deaths by SUID or SIDS. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is working with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in its Safe to Sleep campaign (formerly known as the Back to Sleep campaign), which offers outreach and education activities aimed at reducing infant death from SIDS and other sleep-related causes. Learn more here

Today's #Sleeptember QUESTION --- How safely are our babies sleeping?

September is not only the launch month for #Sleeptember, but it's also the month designated Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month.

According to a recent news report coming out of Michigan, 140 babies die annually in that state due to unsafe sleep, many instances of these deaths caused by completely preventable home care mistakes. Michigan is not the only state to witness a rise in sleep-related deaths for infants; the National Institutes of Health in 2014 estimated that nearly 55 percent (over half!) of all babies sleep on potentially unsafe bedding.

#SLEEPTEMBER

From an article by the NIH: "Soft objects and loose bedding — such as thick blankets, quilts, and pillows — can obstruct an infant’s airway and pose a suffocation risk... Soft bedding has also been shown to increase the risk of SIDS Infants should be placed to sleep alone, on their backs, on a firm sleep surface, such as in a mattress in a safety-approved crib covered by a fitted sheet. Soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, quilts, comforters and loose bedding should be kept out of the baby’s sleep area."

It's hard to say whether hospitals are to blame for not educating new parents more on the safety aspects of sleep positioning and bedding, or if parents are just not taking the message seriously. Many older caregivers (grandparents and other relatives) may also not be up to speed on what constitutes safe bedding or crib positioning. But it could be as simple as all caregivers not understanding the risks of using what may seem to be harmless comfort items.

Dr. Carrie K. Shapiro-Mendoza, senior scientist for the CDC's Division of Reproductive Health in Atlanta, suggests that "[p]arents have good intentions but may not understand that blankets, quilts and pillows increase a baby’s risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation.”

Regardless who's to blame, preventing so-called "crib death" by practicing better safety with babies while they sleep (nearly half their days at the time of birth) has never been more critical to their survival.

Learn more about the Safe to Sleep campaign and ways to prevent SIDs ("crib death") here.

JUST BREATHE: "Heard About Sleep?" APNEA... If not, listen in here.

Respiratory Therapist Adrian Hunter has created this catchy song and video to spread awareness about OSA.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is connecting providers with patients "where they are at," especially when patients aren't willing or able to go in to the clinic. Some patients learn more about their health from friends and family than they do from doctors because they feel medical practitioners are out of reach. Others consult "Dr. Google" more often than a real MD to learn about medical problems, which can actually lead to more problems. In both situations, misinformation, dangerous advice and fear can break down a stable patient-doctor relationship, which is critical for good health outcomes. Doctors are, more than ever, tasked with finding innovative ways to engage with their patients so that they can offer them the best care possible. Using creative space in the Age of Media is one such way. The multimedia arts can be a fruitful venue where patients and healthcare professionals can connect: through books, photographs, films, comedy performances, etc. --SHC

________________

We met sleep health professional Adrian Hunter, RT, at a technologist conference in October 2014. Hunter has found a unique way to spread knowledge and awareness about Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) through the multimedia arts: a sleep apnea awareness song, "Heard About Sleep," which she wrote, performed, produced and which can be seen as a video here on YouTube (and yes! that's her in the pajamas!).

She couldn't wait to play the recording from her smartphone during a break between seminars and spoke tirelessly about her dreams to use her musical background shed light on the problems of untreated OSA. We could not help but be inspired by her charm, her talent, her determination and her vision. Since our meeting, Hunter has completed her production package with a video and sought copyright protections. She has approached sleep apnea and respiratory healthcare organizations for their support and has reached out to sleep technology societies to find ways to get more people on board with her novel approach to patient education.

Adrian Hunter is just one person, but her unique effort has reached people worldwide through the powerful medium of music. And while she has produced an entertaining music video--which conveys a "soft" message--she nonetheless clearly grasps the gravity of not treating sleep disordered breathing problems. The information from her video bears this out: she recognizes that OSA is not a minor health problem in the US, but one that demands attention and treatment. The statistics on this chronic sleep disorder support her concerns:

• Twenty-five million Americans suffer from OSA and many remain untreated; that's roughly 26 percent of the entire population. 
• As many as 20 percent of all children under the age of 18 also suffer from OSA. 
• Two major longitudinal studies in recent history (Wisconsin cohort and Sleep in America) estimate that up to 80 percent of study participants who had confirmed moderate or severe OSA were still not diagnosed by their physicians despite adequate access to health care.
• Insufficient sleep is considered by the Centers for Disease Control to be a public health epidemic, with OSA contributing a critical burden. 
• Untreated OSA adds as much as $3.4 billion to medical costs annually, making it a large-scale problem economically, yet another reason to make it a subject worthy of raising awareness among both physicians and the general public. 

Healthcare providers can and have tried sending out the "hard" message for years now, that OSA is real and a huge problem for Americans, but the numbers of undiagnosed and untreated sufferers are on the rise. Maybe the "hard" message is not effective; maybe it will be the "soft" message that people like Adrian Hunter has created that will sink in and inspire awareness and change.

We had an opportunity recently to ask her more about her work to spread awareness about OSA: especially how she was able to combine her skills as both a respiratory therapist and musician.

Adrian Hunter, RT and recording artist

SleepyHeadCENTRAL: What is your current job, and how long have you been working in sleep?

Adrian Hunter: I am currently working with DME companies. I’ve been a Respiratory Therapist since 2001. I began working in Sleep in 1999. I have experience working in hospitals, sleep centers, DME companies and I am currently being treated for sleep apnea.

SHC: What inspired you to write and produce this song?

AH: As I continue to work with my patients and doctors and attend sleep-related conferences, I am reminded of the millions of people unaware and untreated for sleep apnea and other sleep conditions. So I thought of the saying, “music makes the world go around.” I love music and I love to sing so I decided to write a song; this way, people can listen and learn whether in their car, home, work, shower... anywhere.

SHC: Describe the process you followed to write the lyrics.

AH: For this particular song: one evening while watching the sports channel with my husband, I began to think about my patients and how they confide in me their concerns about family and friends who refuse to get tested for sleep apnea. I thought about what I’d say to them when setting them up on PAP devices for the first time, or what I’d say when they are noncompliant. How do I help teach people about sleep apnea? I began humming the words “sleep apnea.” I then went into my bedroom, got my pen, paper and tape recorder, sat on the side of my bed, and began writing the lyrics and putting my beats and rhythms together.

I completed my song, “Heard About Sleep” aka “Sleep Apnea Awareness Song” within two hours.

SHC: What was the performing and producing experience like?

AH: The recording session was easy for me because I diligently practiced daily, practicing sounds with my voice and beats on the keyboard before I entered the studio. I couldn’t get this song out of my mind. I knew what I was looking for. I wanted a catchy beat to help draw attention to the song. The recording process went very quickly, less than a couple of hours.

SHC: How do you hope this song will raise awareness?

AH: My hope for this song is that it will propel me into a worldwide recognition as a spokesperson and advocate for sleep apnea and other related conditions and to help improve sleep hygiene, self confidence, job performance, relationships etc.

SHC: Have you ever performed, produced or recorded other original music?

AH: I have been performing as long as I can remember. My father was a lead singer and choir director. He inspired and molded me to be the singer I am today. This is my first recording of any of my original music.

SHC: What is your challenge, now that you have a song recorded and ready to share with the world?

AH: Now that I have completed ”Heard About Sleep,” my focus is to have the opportunity to continue advocating and increasing the awareness of getting tested for sleep apnea and to also continue supporting people who are receiving sleep apnea treatment.

SHC: What do you hope will happen with your song?

AH: I hope my song will be a platform to help launch me as a spokesperson for sleep apnea and any other conditions I can be supportive of.

SHC: Would you be inspired to write other sleep health-related songs?

AH: Yes, I am inspired and encouraged to write other sleep health-related songs.

SHC: What would you say to someone who works in sleep health who is also a creative or performance artist?

AH: I encourage everyone to follow their dreams and be creative. It’s not always an easy process, but it’s worth the challenge. It is important to keep moving forward, putting one foot in front of the other, until you reach your goal.

_____________

For more information about her music video or to contact Hunter, check out her *Heard About Sleep* Facebook page or email her directly at heardaboutsleep@gmail.com.

AASM News Headlines, Summer 2014 Edition: New insomnia pill; Pledge to "stop the snore;" Relaxis Pad for RLS; CDC shows striking rise in sleep related clinic visits

Here are some links to AASM news posted between June and mid-August 2014. For more news, visit the AASM here.

FDA approves new sleeping pill Belsomra (suvorexant) for insomnia
Suvorexant (Belsomra) tablets were approved by the FDA on August 13, 2014 for the treatment of insomnia. Suvorexant is a receptor antagonist for the neurotransmitter orexin; it functions by altering the brain's chemical signals responsible for regulating the sleep-wake cycle. Studies show that patients taking suvorexant tend to fall asleep faster and spend less time awake after sleep onset when compared to those taking placebo. Next-day drowsiness is the medication's most common side effect. More information

Stop the snore: AASM urges sleep apnea action for those at risk
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a potentially life-threatening disease that afflicts at least 25 million American adults. Untreated OSA can increase your risk for serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, diabetes and depression. Did you know that snoring is its most common warning sign? If you snore, or you know someone who snores, it's worth checking out, as OSA is fairly simple to treat. Interested in "stopping the snore?" Take the Pledge.

FDA clears the Relaxis Pad for treatment of restless legs syndrome
A new nonpharmaceutical treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), a health condition that can significantly disrupt sleep patterns, is now available through Sensory Medical. The Relaxis Pad is a noninvasive device which emits vibratory counterstimulation to relieve pain and tension in the legs at bedtime. As many as 12 million Americans suffer from RLS, which can rob the body of deep, restorative sleep. Many sufferers go undiagnosed as the symptoms of RLS often resemble stress, arthritis, muscle cramps, or are often attributed to the “normal effects” of aging. Its nonpharmaceutical value makes the Relaxis Pad a breakthrough medical device for many. More information

CDC study examines national trends in office visits for sleep problems
The number and percentage of office visits for sleep related problems, and the number and percentage of office visits accompanied by a prescription for a sleep medication, have increased significantly since 1999. Most striking were increases in the number of office visits resulting in the acquisition of prescription sleep aids. Read the abstract here.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is the only regulatory, professional organization dedicated exclusively to sleep health. It sets standards and promotes excellence in sleep-related healthcare, education and research and is comprised of nearly 12,000 accredited sleep labs and sleep professionals across the US. 

Be a Sleep Activist! Support H.R.5294 - Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2014

From my sleep health cohort Edward Grandi, this post in Facebook:

"For those working in the sleep field... ask your member of Congress if they support H.R.5294, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2014. There are important provisions to further sleep research."

Thank you, Ed. In essence, HR 5294 exists "to improve the health of minority individuals, and for other purposes..." which specifically includes The Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Disorders Health Disparities Act as illustrated in the bill's text under Subtitle I, sections 791-793, supporting research activities at the NIH and the CDC.

Folks, important advancements in sleep health have always needed the support of the government in order to get the funding necessary to research such important topics as sleep deprivation, SIDS, drowsy driving and other sleep health challenges. Please help to inspire our politicians to make this as important a discussion at the federal level as cancer, AIDS and other health crises in this country.