UNews - Sleep Apnea

Activity challenge a good starting point

trevor.kenney — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:27:43 +0000

It may be hard to believe but the 6th Annual Bee Heart Smart physical activity challenge is nearly complete for another year. At last count, more than 125 participants and 15 teams had registered to take part in the annual challenge. My hope is that we meet our goal of surpassing last year's numbers (176 participants and 17 teams) by the time the challenge comes to a close.

I have heard many inspiring stories from those who have participated in the challenge this year, and you have all encouraged me to keep my numbers up. I was on the list of Top 10 Steppers for a short while, before being surpassed by some extremely dedicated participants. The continued determination of those top 10 folks (and my dog staring at me accusingly if I didn't take him for a walk) has helped spur me on to maintain my goal of 10,000 steps a day – even on those terribly windy, rainy or cold evenings.

The goal of the Bee Heart Smart challenge is to increase physical activity while participating in a fun challenge, and even if you don't win a prize, anyone who has participated is, in the end, a winner by striving to increase your own health and wellness. Congratulations to all who participated, and please check the Notice Board and Wellness website (www.uleth.ca/hum/wellness) for this year's winners.

The Wellness Committee has been working hard to develop a wellness plan for the U of L community.

In 2009-10, a number of Lunch and Learn education sessions were introduced, including: How's Your Financial Health?; Is Work Causing a Pain Your Back; Sleep Apnea; Holiday Eating Survival Tips; How to Maintain Your Brain; Recognizing Burnout; Stress Management Tools including Desktop Yoga; Eating for Cardiovascular Health; and Xeriscaping.

The Lunch and Learn sessions will continue in 2010-11 and some of the suggestions for topics include: back care and ergonomics; acupuncture, alternative or holistic health care treatments; humour and laughter in the workplace; emotional wellness; fitness evaluations; communication skills; stress management; and cardiovascular health.

If you have other suggestions or would like to explore a particular wellness topic, please let me know.

Other wellness planning includes the development of a U of L stretching and strengthening program (with a kinesiology applied studies student), the continuation of the employee vascular screening program and the possibility of another life balance fair in the fall. There will also continue to be the exploration and co-ordination of health and wellness resources on campus.

As usual, I welcome any comments, suggestions or feedback!

Suzanne McIntosh is the co-ordinator of wellness programs at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

Combat sleep apnea by attending Lunch and Learn

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:59:50 +0000

Do you find you are often tired, even after a full night's sleep?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious breathing problem that interrupts your sleep. This results in poor sleep quality that makes you tired during the day. Sleep apnea is one of the leading causes of excessive daytime sleepiness. Another symptom can be snoring and pauses in your breathing while sleeping.

This month's Wellness Lunch and Learn is focusing on sleep apnea. Shaun Wojtowicz, owner of Chinook Respiratory Care, will be on campus Tuesday, Nov. 17 in TH277 to discuss symptoms, signs and treatment for sleep apnea. Make sure you come and check out this informative topic over the lunch hour.

Obstructive sleep apnea means you have short pauses in your breathing when you sleep. These breathing pauses – called apneas or apnea events – last for 10 to 30 seconds, maybe longer. People with obstructive sleep apnea can stop breathing dozens or hundreds of times each night.

If it's not treated, sleep apnea can lead to major health problems, accidents, and even early death. Thankfully, there are excellent treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.

Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea:
• high blood pressure
• irritability, mood swings or depression
• gasping or choking during sleep
• tiredness or fatigue
• lack of concentration
• morning headaches
• memory problems/memory loss
• sexual dysfunction

Combat sleep apnea by attending Lunch and Learn

trevor.kenney — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:09:49 +0000

Do you find you are often tired, even after a full night's sleep?

This month's Wellness Lunch and Learn is focusing on sleep apnea. Shaun Wojtowicz, owner of Chinook Respiratory Care, will be on campus Nov. 17 in TH277 to discuss symptoms, signs and treatment for sleep apnea. Make sure you come and check out this informative topic over the lunch hour.

If it's not treated, sleep apnea can lead to major health problems, accidents, and even early death. Thankfully, there are excellent treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Women's Health Challenge (sponsored by Alberta Health Services Breast and Cervical Health program, Chinook Regional Hospital and Meyers Norris Penny) wrapped up at the end of October. A total of 30 women entered the challenge and have a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to the Keg. Thanks to all who had pap tests and mammograms from May 27 to Oct. 26 and good luck in the prize draw!

The Wellness Committee would like to thank all Life Balance Fair exhibitors, prize donors and especially participants that came out on Oct 21. Thanks also to AUPE, who donated $200 towards lunch. The Wii Sports Resort Game was won by Judy Jaeger, caretaking, and the Digital Camera (donated by Chinook Respiratory Care) was won by Chris Lastuka, Anthropology.

Prize winners and donors:
- Large First Aid Kit - donated by Blue Cross - Gwen Umeris

- Shopper's Gift Basket - Shopper's Drug Mart West - Pat Anderson

- Runner's Soul $50.00 Gift Card - Sharon Kanashiro

- Tickets to Opera Goes to the Movies - U of L Fine Arts - Brittanie Graham

- Tickets to Hay Fever - U of L Fine Arts - MaryAnne Hellinga

- Horns 10-game combo pass - U of L Sport and Rec Services - Aubrey Salloway and Chris Lastuka

- One-month facility membership - U of L Sport and Rec Services - Dirk Olsen

- Money Mentors one-hour session - Amanda Berg

- Mini first aid kits - Blue Cross - won by Kim Ordway, Barb Dudley, Judy Jaeger

- Aluminum water bottles - Blue Cross - Connie Chaplin, Betsy Greenlees

- Pedometers - Blue Cross - Doug Smith, Anita Salberg

- Fleece blanket in a bag - donated by Mercer - Louise Miller

- Water bottles - donated by Mercer - won by Katherine Wasiak, Sandra Wiest, Christine Groves, Charlene Sawatsky, Diane Layng

- Digital camera – donated by Chinook Respiratory Care – won by Chris Lastuka

Suzanne McIntosh, Wellness Co-ordinator

UNews - Sleep Apnea

Activity challenge a good starting point

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Combat sleep apnea by attending Lunch and Learn

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