A.W.A.K.E. Program on Seasonal Affective Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Parkland Medical Center will host an A.W.A.K.E. New England Chapter meeting, sponsored by the Neurocare Center for Sleep, on Thursday, November 16, 2006 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Topics will include Seasonal Affective Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Paul Barlow, PAC, certified Physician’s Assistant from Derry Neurology will speak on Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and its potential health risks, including its effects on cognition (attention, focus and memory). Barlow will also address the signs and symptoms of OSA as well as treatment options.

Adam C. Sonovick, B.S., RPsgT, Lead Sleep Technologist at the Center for Sleep Diagnostics at Parkland Medical Center will speak on Seasonal Affective Disorder and its impact on mood and sleep. Sonovick will address how the long New England winters have a potentially harmful effect on a person’s everyday sense of well-being, energy level and mood. There will also be experts on hand to check CPAP machines and share information on the latest treatment technologies.

According to a recent National Sleep Foundation poll, more than 70 percent of American adults say they experience frequent sleep problems. Sleep problems could be due to poor sleep habits or may be caused by undiagnosed sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia or narcolepsy.

To register or obtain more information, call 1-800-432-8808, or visit www.neurocareinc.com. Light refreshments will be served. The event will be held in Room 203, Entrance A, in the Nutfield Professional Building located at 44 Birch Street in Derry.  Click here for Directions.

 A.W.A.K.E. (“Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic”) is a national network of support groups that provide support and information to individuals who have sleep disorders. The Network was founded in 1988 and is an integral part of the American Sleep Apnea Association. Established in 1988, Neurocare has nearly two decades of experience working with physicians to effectively diagnose and treat patients with sleep disorders. The company owns free-standing sleep centers in Newton, Stoughton and Norwood, MA. It also has long-term relationships with select New England hospitals for the turnkey management of their sleep centers. In addition, Neurocare is partnered with academic medical centers such as the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia and Emory University Hospital in Atlanta through collaborative management of their sleep centers. Parkland Medical Center, located in Derry, NH, is a full service acute care hospital providing medical and surgical care including twenty-four hour emergency and trauma care, orthopedics, cancer care, a sleep laboratory and maternal and child health services. Parkland Medical Center has been the recipient in recent years of multiple state and national recognition for a variety of healthcare awards including: 2006 Business of the Year-Derry Chamber of Commerce, Top 100 Hospital designation by Solucient; the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP); and National Air Quality Award from the National Air Filtration Association. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).