One surgical method, recently approved by the Food & Drug Administration, is performed at South Nassau Communities Hospital by Dr. Louis Rosner, director of Otalaryngology.Called the "pillar procedure," three tiny polyester rods, about three-fourths of an inch long, are implanted into the soft palate located at the back of the roof of the mouth. Over time, the rods, or pillars, cause the palate to harden, which prevents the soft palate from stretching and collapsing during sleep. The 60-minute procedure is less invasive and painful than other approaches, requires just a local anesthetic to numb the area and does not involve tissue removal. Following the procedure, patients are able to eat most foods and participate in activities. A recent study on the pillar procedure in the influential medical journal Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery reported that patients did not experience severe complications but did have minor discomfort, said Rosner. "It's a simple, minimally invasive, effective and long-lasting treatment," he said. "This procedure will prove to serve as the 'pillar' for a good night's sleep for individuals who suffer with sleep apnea."If you are battling daytime sleepiness, frequently fighting off excessive fatigue, or waking up with headaches, you may be battling sleep apnea, according to medical experts. More than 12 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. It occurs when the tissue at the back of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, causing breathing to stop or reducing airflow. Frequent apneas lead to numerous brief awakenings during sleep. In most instances, there is no awareness or recollection of being stirred from sleep, explained Rosner. Sleep apnea, which is usually associated with snoring, can strike anyone at any age, even children, but overweight males who are 40 and older are especially at risk. "Untreated sleep apnea can result in serious health problems, including temporary cognitive impairment, hypertension, strokes and lifethreatening heart conditions," said Rosner. Here are some tips from South Nassau if you are suffering from sleep apnea:
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Avoid alcoholic beverages close to bedtime. Alcohol can worsen sleep apnea by relaxing the muscles in the back of your throat, making it more difficult to breathe.
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If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about beginning a weight-loss program.
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Sleep on your side instead of your back. Gravity makes it more likely for the tongue to fall back over the airway or the airway muscles or tonsils to collapse and block the airway.
Winthrop University Hospital presents free lecture April 12
Winthrop University Hospital's Perspectives in Health series will present a free lecture, "Where Are My Keys? Do You have a Memory Problem?" on Tuesday, April 25 at 7 p.m. The program will be held at Winthrop's Community Outreach Center, 101 Mineola Boulevard, at the corner of Second Street in Mineola.Dr. Nancy Foldi, Director of Neuropsychology at Winthrop's Division of Geriatrics, will discuss what happens to the brain during healthy aging. She also will address areas of thinking and cognition in disorders such as dementia and depression in late life. A question and answer period will follow the lecture.Dr. Foldi is also Associate Professor at City University of New York in the Department of Psychology at Queens College and The Graduate Center. At Queens College she directs the Neuropsychology Laboratory of Aging and Dementia. Attendees are asked to arrive for registration at 6:45 p.m. and to park in the rear of the building. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To reserve a space call (516) 663-8300.Perspectives in Health is a free community health education program, coordinated by the Nurse Specialist Group at Winthrop, part of the Institute for Family Care. For information on other programs at the hospital, please call 1-866-WINTHROP.
Mercy League Scholarship applications available
Applications are now being taken for the Sister Mary Grace Memorial Scholarship in Health Care, sponsored by the Council of Leagues of Mercy Medical Center.Sister Mary Grace, a moderator of the Leagues of Mercy for many years, encouraged individuals to pursue compassionate service to the sick. The scholarship awards in her memory, which in the past have ranged from $500 to $2,000, are provided on a one-time basis to worthy students who are in financial need who are studying for careers in the health care field.For more information regarding this scholarship or to obtain an application, call the office of Sister Anne Reekie, CIJ, vice president for Community Health Services at Mercy at (516) 705-1833.The deadline for submitting applications is April 30.
Volunteer tutors needed
North Shore Child and Family Care Guidance Center is looking for volunteer tutors for their Learning to Learn team, which works with schools and families to help students..The Learning to Learn program includes a complete evaluation working with students, parents, counselors, and teachers to form an educational/psychological plan. School accomodations, educational reccomendations, therapeutic interventions, and medical concerns are addressed. When the plan is put into place, the Center uses specially-trainedvolunteers as tutors for these students.Any interested parties should contact Charlotte Bayer, Coordinator of Educational Services, at (516)626-1971, ext. 345.
