T.J. Samson | Destination Health | April 2019

April 2019 5 Have you heard of occupational therapy (OT)? If so, maybe you assumed that this type of therapy only helps people who are working. It’s an easy mistake to make. Actually, OT is a service that helps people of all ages overcome obstacles such as injuries, illnesses or disabili- ties. It helps them improve their ability to participate in everyday activities—or occupations—that matter most to them.That can mean anything from enjoying a beloved hobby to maintaining or regaining the ability to live independently, hold down a job or stay active in the community. COULD OT HELP YOU? There are many ways in which OT can help people take part in everyday life.The checklist below contains just a few examples. Look them over, and check any boxes that might apply to you or a loved one. Learn the facts about sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea is a common— and serious—sleep disorder. People who have it stop breathing for a few seconds to a few minutes during sleep. These breath- ing pauses can happen up to hundreds of times a night. Typically, they’re caused by a blocked airway. Want to know more? These four facts about sleep apnea could help protect your health: Loud snoring is a common symp- tom. You may also be drowsy and irritable during the day if you have sleep apnea because it interrupts your sleep. You might wake up from sleep choking and gasping for breath too. Other red flags include morning headaches and forgetfulness. Being overweight raises your risk. That’s because extra fat tissue around the neck makes it harder to keep your airway open. You also have a raised risk if you’re male, smoke or have a family history of sleep apnea. The disorder needs to be treated. Un- treated sleep apnea raises your risk of high Untreated sleep apnea raises your risk of high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, a heart attack or stroke, and more. For more information, contact the T.J. Sleep Disorders Center at 270-651-1888 . 3 4 2 1 blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, a heart attack or stroke, diabetes, depression and accidents. CPAP is the most effective treatment. CPAP stands for contin- uous positive airway pressure.This therapy involves wearing a special mask over your nose while sleeping.The mask blows air into your throat during sleep to keep your airway open. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Alliance for Healthy Sleep; National Institutes of Health; UpToDate; U.S. Food and Drug Administration For more information, please contact the T.J. Samson Rehabilitation Department at 270-659-5660 . I want to cook and perform house- keeping chores that are currently dif- ficult because of my wrist injury. My arthritis prevents me from dress- ing or doing household chores. I want to dress, bathe and care for myself after a stroke. I want to regain daily living skills after a recent car accident. My older parent is recovering from surgery and needs help with daily tasks. I want to continue to drive safely so I can visit friends. My child or teen with a developmental disability needs help par- ticipating in daily activi- ties, doing well in school or transitioning to indepen- dent living. Source: American Occupational Therapy Association Occupational therapy: Check out the benefits Wellness