Do You Have Sleep Apnea?

Many, and I mean many folks have sleep apnea. Most of us are unaware we have it because …*drum roll please*…We are asleep or in the case of someone with severe sleep apnea, TRYING to sleep.

Typically, couples who struggle to sleep together get tested for sleep apnea. One spouse complains about the other snoring or simply not breathing at all for periods of time. What about the rest of us who do not have that significant other to keep an eye on us or punch us in the gut to get us to stop snoring?

If you are unsure if you have sleep apnea talk to your doctor, especially if you exhibit any of the following indicators.

Those of us who are at high risk for sleep apnea typically exhibit one of the following:

• Cardiology Referral – (4 to 8 of every 10 have apnea – Kasai et all. 2012 depending on practice subspecialty focus)
• Drug Resistant Hypertensive – (8+ of every 10 have apnea – Logan et al. 2001)
• Drug resistant Insomnia – (7+ of every 10 have apnea – Krakow et al. 2010
• Obese & Diabetes – (8+ of every 10 have apnea – Foster et al. 2009)
• Heart Failure – (7+ of every 10 have apnea Oldenburg et al. 2007)
• Obese at Bariatric Center – (7+ of every 10 have apnea – Lopez et al. 2008)

If you fall into any of these categories, consider getting a sleep study.

Below is a list of apnea Indicators. If you answer yes to 2 or more, you may have sleep apnea and need a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, which is a common treatment for this condition.

1. Snoring
2. Obesity
3. Hypertension
4. Daytime Fatigue
5. Observed Apnea
6. Morning Headaches (Due to low O2 Levels while asleep)
7. Nonrestorative sleep
8. Frequent urination at night

Here at Medicap Pharmacy and CPAP, we carry the top 2 brands of CPAP machines and supplies. The Respironics Dream Station CPAP and the ResMed AirSence 10 CPAP. We also have nasal and full-face masks and supplies from Resmed, Respironics, and Fisher & Paykal.

If you have any questions or think you may have sleep apnea, feel free to contact us, as we have Sleep and Respiratory Therapists available to assist you.

Email questions to: medsupply@medicapidaho.com
Call us at 208-805-1070
Fax: 208-8051077

Mental Health During COVID-19

As the number of COVID-19 cases rise, so is the accompanying stress and anxiety. During this time of uncertainty and isolation, the mental health effects are just as important to address as the physical health effects.

There are many causes for concern regarding COVID-19. Not only are you worried you may get sick, but you also worry about your loved ones and possibly spreading the virus to the more vulnerable people. You are adjusting to a new reality, and you are not sure how long this will last. You may be financially stressed or worried how you will support your family during this time. While all these reasons for concern are valid, it’s important to remember what you can control during this time and focus on those things to provide some comfort.

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Mind and Body – Keep a healthy diet and do not smoke or drink excessively. Exercise at home and get enough rest. Maintain self-care and keep up with your personal hygiene. Also, stay mentally healthy by meditating or taking the time to realize what you are grateful for.

Your Environment – Since many are either working from home or quarantined in their houses, now is the time to clean and get organized. Give yourself a fresh start every morning with a clean bedroom and by making your bed. Keep an organized working environment for a more productive day.

What You Consume – It’s important to not overdo your information and news intake, and you should get all your information from reliable sources like the CDC and WHO. Also, take time to watch TV shows or movies that make you laugh and feel good.

How to Prepare – It’s crucial to stay calm during a time like this and prepare accordingly. Keep enough food on hand for a couple of weeks but avoid stockpiling high demand items so other people can have the essential items as well. Keep up with your medication regime and have a month’s supply at home if possible. Call your pharmacy with any questions or concerns on medication refills.

Protect Yourself and Others – Follow the CDC guidelines of washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face and other people. Stay home if you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

It is normal and valid to feel worried during a crisis like COVID-19. While worry can be common and is a part of anxiety, people with anxiety tend to feel much more exaggerated feelings of worry or tension. Symptoms of anxiety include: uncontrollable dread, stomach and digestive problems, trouble with concentration or memory, increase heart rate, changes in energy and/or sleeping patterns, irritability and/or restlessness.

There are small things that you can do while at home to help with anxiety:

• Reach out to someone you trust. Call, text, or video chat a friend or family member
• Exercise at home
• Use a mindfulness or meditation app
• Set a timer for every hour to get up and stretch or walk
• Take 10 deep breaths when you feel stressed

If you are taking these steps to manage your mental health but they don’t seem to be working, call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 where crisis counselors are available 24/7.

Our team is also here for you. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Nutraceuticals to Aid in the Prevention of COVID-19

• Masks do not help contraction of the virus, only its spread.
• Wash your hands often for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer with 70% alcohol can be used instead.
• Melatonin: 10 mg – 20 mg. This powerful antioxidant fights inflammation. Best Rest may be substituted for those sensitive to melatonin.
• Vitamin C: 3,500 IU/day. This helps boost your immune system.
• Vitamin A: 5,000 IU/day. This helps boost your immune system. DO NOT TAKE if pregnant or if you smoke.
• Vitamin D3: 50,000 IU/day for 4 days, then 5,000 IU 5 times a week. This helps boost your immune system.
• Iodine: 12.5 mg two times per week. Most of us are low in iodine. No studies have shown a bacteria, fungus, virus or parasite known to be resistant to it. CONSULT your doctor or pharmacist before taking.
• Immunitone/Mycoimmune: 1 dose per day. Mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which increase immune defense in many ways.
• AVOID NSAIDS like Ibuprofen, as these are shown to be immunosuppressive. Use Acetomenophen/Tylenol instead.
• Avoid stress to give your immune system the best chance to stay strong.
• Implement social distancing to limit the spread of Covid-19.
• Enjoy fresh air and sunshine to give your immune system a boost.

Recommendations from integrative medicine specialist Dr Lindsey Berkson as of 3/17/2020. Many of the nutraceuticals mentioned in the article below are applicable not due to any testing specific to Covid-19, but because they have helped fight viruses and/or aid in immune support.

Coronavirus Update & Integrative Natural Considerations

Nutraceuticals to Aid in the Treatment of Covid-19

• Wear a mask to help protect others
• Wash your hands often for 20 seconds or use 70% alcohol hand sanitizer.
• Self-quarantine even if you are waiting for test results to confirm infection.
• Melatonin: 30 mg before bed for 1 week. Reduce to 20 mg for the following few weeks.
• Vitamin C: 1,000 mg/hour until diarrhea develops, then stop for a few days. If possible, see a provider for IV Vitamin C.
• Vitamin A: 100,000 IU/day for 4 days at first sign of illness. Have your blood levels monitored as this can become toxic in the body.
• Vitamin D3: 50,000 IU/day for 4 days, then resume a lower dose of 5,000 IU 5 times a week. Have your blood levels monitored as this can become toxic in the body.
• Zinc: 30mg/day for 4 days. Zinc is a powerful antiviral against many viruses.
• Use a Neti pot to clean your nasal passages. This can prevent the spread of the virus to your lungs.
• Afrin nasal spray for 3 days, then take a 3-day break. This can prevent the spread of the virus to your lungs.

Recommendations from integrative medicine specialist Dr Lindsey Berkson as of 3/17/2020. Many of the nutraceuticals mentioned in the article below are applicable not due to any testing specific to COVID-19, but because they have helped fight viruses and/or aid in immune support.

Contact our pharmacists with any questions about COVID-19.