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January 31, 2014
GOSPORT
Sailors rest easy at NHP sleep clinic By MC1 James Stenberg Naval Hospital Pensacola Public Affairs
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veryone has had the occasional sleepless night, but regular sleep problems can interfere with daily life and can be signs of a serious health problem. The sleep clinic at Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) is able to help find out if someone’s sleepless nights are being caused by something as simple as stress or a more underlying issue such as a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders cause more than just restless nights. The lack of quality sleep can have a negative impact on a person’s energy, emotional balance and health. “A person that wakes up throughout the night because they are having trouble breathing or are having some other underlying condition can start to feel effects on their cognitive and mental functions,” said HM3 John Betts, leading petty officer, Neurology/Sleep Clinic, NHP. “If you deprive someone of sleep for 24, 48 or even 72 hours, they are not going to be functioning right. Their decision making abilities are going to decrease and the ability to function accordingly or to think (clearly) will start
being affected tremendously as time goes on without sleep.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cardio- HM3 John Betts, leading petty officer at the neurology/sleep clinic at Naval Hospital Pensacola, attaches vascular disease, obesity diagnostic equipment to a Sailor in preparation for a sleep study. NHP performs sleep studies in an attempt and depression. Not get- to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. Photo by MC1 James Stenberg ting enough sleep is assoall NHP beneficiaries ciated with the onset of Sleep disorders through referral only. If these diseases and may Sleep-related difficulties – typically called sleep disorders – affect many beneficiaries think that also complicate their people. Major sleep disorders include: they may have a sleep management and out• Insomnia: An inability to fall or stay asleep that can result in funcdisorder, they should talk come. tional impairment throughout the day. to their primary care A common sleep disor• Narcolepsy: Excessive daytime sleepiness combined with sudden manager or Medical der is sleep apnea. Sleep muscle weakness; episodes of narcolepsy are sometimes called “sleep Home Port Team and disapnea is where a person’s attacks” and may occur in unusual circumstances. cuss their options. breathing temporarily • Sleep apnea: Interrupted sleep caused by periodic gasping or “snort“Sleep is the most imstops due to a blockage of ing” noises or momentarily suspension of breathing. portant thing (we do) bethe upper airways and the – From Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cause we spend a third of Sleep Clinic can identify our life doing it,” said this disorder by monitorShawn Roy, Sleep Clinic ing a person while sleep- decreases and over time tory of cardiac issues and as much oxygen as they manager at NHP. “When that can take a toll on they have apnea, it would should so it can start ing. be best to correct that causing more issues in it’s being disrupted by ei“What we are trying to your body.” Anyone who has sleep issue as soon as possi- the future for cardiac pa- ther sleep apnea or other find (while observing a things, our quality of life patient sleeping) is if apnea and has had heart ble,” Betts said. “When tients.” The Sleep Clinic at tends to go down, both there is a lack of breath- problems should be your oxygen saturation ing or an apneic event, treated for the sleep apnea drops, there is not enough NHP has six beds to per- mental and physical.” For more news from which is no breathing,” because they are more at oxygen flowing through form sleep studies and Naval Hospital Pensacola, Betts said. “When you risk for developing future your body. This means all conducts the studies go to www.navy.mil/local/ your organs, including Monday through Thursstop breathing at night, cardiac complications. “If a patient has a his- your heart, are not getting day. The clinic is open to nh_pensacola/. your oxygen saturation
March 29 half marathon and 5K has rock ’n’ roll theme By Jason Bortz Naval Hospital Pensacola Public Affairs
The first-ever Blue Angels Rock N Fly Half Marathon and 5K (3.1 miles) is scheduled for March 29 aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, and it promises to bring out the hidden rocker in everyone. Both races will start at 8 a.m. and the courses will be entirely on NAS Pensacola. All proceeds from the event will go towards the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society,
which provides financial support to Sailors and Marines, and the 2014 Pensacola Area Navy Ball. The Blue Angels Rock N Fly will not just be about running, but will also provide entertainment for spectators and runners throughout the entire event. “The Rock N Fly Half Marathon and 5K is not just a race, but an event with live music and contests,” said Cmdr. Mike Kohler, director of Health Benefits, Naval Hospital Pensacola, and the race director. “The race is also an opportunity for our community to come out and enjoy
NAS Pensacola while supporting the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, dress up as a rock star if they like and listen to some great music. It should be fun for everyone.” While there will be awards for top finishers in different age groups, the Blue Angels Rock N Fly is more about having fun than competition. As runners complete the courses, they will hear a cornucopia of music from classic rock to modern pop to keep them motivated. After the half marathon, runners and spectators will be entertained with perform-
ances by local Pensacola bands on the main stage. There will be a mullet and best dressed rocker contest, but you might want to keep spandex to a minimum because this is a family event. Registration cost for the half marathon is $65 by March 16 and $32 for the 5K if also done by March 16. Everyone who registers will receive a poster and T-shirt and all half marathon finishers will receive a medal. For more information or to register, visit www.runrockn fly.com.
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