MARY BALDASANO / Special to the PVT Charmaine Rochon, left, and Rebecca Martinea lead the fight to resolve sleep apnea in Nye County. Advertisement

Everyone has heard some joke about people who snore, that the only one sleeping is the snorer.

But there are many health problems, too, the risk of which can be increased by sleep apnea.

Rebecca Martinea, owner of CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Center of Nevada, a medical equipment company, has found that most sleep apnea sufferers live in rural areas. She has come to Pahrump to help Nye County residents.

The business is located at 2280 E. Calvada Blvd., Suite 107 (in the rear of the first building at that address), and potential patients will acquire help as quickly as possible.

Martinea, a Nevada certified and licensed respiratory therapist has several years of experience helping people eliminate their snoring problem and improve their life.

"There are 40 million people in the U.S., who have not been diagnosed with OSA (obstructive sleep apnea)," she said. "Many because they won't admit to being a snorer. It is my mission to make a difference in the lives of people who have OSA."

Where some illnesses are concerned, the risk is increased due to OSA, including fatigue, unclear thought processes, hypertension, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, weight gain and morning headaches among other things.

Snoring is caused by the body's reaction to OSA. During stage four and five of sleep (deep sleep), one may actually stop breathing, so the body reacts by causing you to change position.

This can happen several times a night which prevents you from getting a good night's sleep. In the morning you suffer fatigue and more.

In some instances, this can lead to stroke and heart attack.

Coming to the forefront, physicians are beginning to document patient status and refer them to a prevention program. They are also working on diagnosing young people before the problem has adverse impacts on body organs.

Martinea said, "Doctors use the David White scale to see if OSA is the problem, and refer them to us for home or facility testing. Once tested, the info is sent to the doctor for their recommendations for treatment."

The David White scale consists of five questions on a point system, including:

* Do you snore on most nights?

* Has it ever been reported to you that you stop breathing or gasp during sleep?

* What is your collar size?

* Do you occasionally fall asleep during the day, when you are busy or active, or when you are driving or stopped at a light?

* Have you had or are you being treated for high blood pressure?

Martinea said, "If you answer 'yes' to a majority of these questions, you should discuss it with your doctor. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner the problem will be reduced."

The length of use of the equipment varies based on severity of the problem.

It has been discovered that 40 percent of OSA sufferers have Type 2 diabetes which affects the liver/blood glucose. Once on the treatment, it's possible to lose weight, and hypertension and other health issues improve.

At least 80 percent of stroke victims suffered from OSA. If treated, the stroke might have been prevented.

"I also do follow-ups with my patients to make sure they are using the equipment comfortably," she said.

Medicare will pay for the treatment if it is officially diagnosed by a physician and the proper medical codes are submitted to their offices. Most insurance companies will pay for the equipment and supplies. They have a variety of programs to obtain the equipment, removing reasons for not being treated due to lack of money.

"I am hopeful that with my availability in Pahrump, sufferers will find access is much easier, reducing the need to go to Las Vegas. Come to me, you'll get treated by a respiratory therapist," said Martinea.

For more information about sleep apnea or OSA, contact the CPAP Center at 775-751-1322.