Do have trouble sleeping at night? Well, you are not alone. More than 2 million Australians suffer from poor or inadequate sleep.
Our busy lifestyles mean that, on average, we sleep much less than we did 100 years ago. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is ruining bedtime for many Australians, with around 24 per cent of men and 9 per cent of women currently suffering from the condition.
OSA is a common sleep disorder where blocked airways interfere with breathing patterns while you sleep. Snoring can often be a good indicator but OSA can lead to more serious problems such as decreased blood oxygen levels, high blood pressure and diabetes. It can also increase your risk of workplace accidents!
OSA can now be conveniently diagnosed by the ResMed ApneaLink, which is a small, portable device worn overnight to record sleep and breathing patterns.
Weng Ho from Coastal Operations and Yasmin Kamel from Rail went on a mission to screen Pilbara Iron employees for OSA using the ResMed ApneaLink programme.
Phil Gogel, Mainline Supervisor from Rail, participated in the 2006 study after being constantly reminded of his snoring habits. ResMed ApneaLink allowed Phil to be monitored, diagnosed and treated in his own home and without the extra cost of flights and hospital stays.
"This has provided great benefits for my health and most importantly my relationship with my partner, who has also been suffering until now," said Phil.
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