AN IRVINESTOWN group that supports people with chronic lung conditions has just returned from Stormont where they attended an event to highlight a dangerous sleeping disorder.
Members of the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Breathe Easy group, which holds monthly meetings in the ARC healthy living centre in Irvinestown, travelled to Belfast in a bid to highlight obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), a condition which affects up to 4% of men and up to 2% of women.
The group, which supports local people suffering from lung diseases, met Health Minister Edwin Poots and medical professionals to hear about the problems OSA can cause and what treatments are available.
Billy Nevin from the local Breathe Easy group said people who have the condition often dream they are drowning and then wake up suddenly and take a big gulp of air.
“A lot of people have this problem and don’t know it. When people with this condition lie down the muscles around their throat relax and their airway can temporarily close over” explained Billy, secretary of the Irvinestown group.
Mr Nevin said this can affect people who are overweight and those who sleep on their back a lot, and he knows a lot of people are worried about the condition and that is why his group travelled to Stormont, and why they are raising public awareness of it.
“This is a condition which affects suffers every night.
OSA affects up to 4% of men and up to 2% of women although the majority of OSA cases remain undiagnosed.
OSA means that you can’t get a proper night’s sleep – so you’re more likely to doze off during the day, including at work or even at the wheel.
The most common treatment for OSA is very simple – the use of a small device providing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
That just keeps a continuous flow of air going to the lungs so the airway can’t close up.
The good news is there is professional help available and anyone who thinks they might have this condition is advised to contact their GP or the Breathe Easy group who can give you more information about the condition.
The Breathe Easy group have also just returned from a visit to South West Acute Hospital where they congratulated the Western Trust Respiratory team on winning the ‘Outstanding health care in the Community award’ in the British Lung Foundation’s Breath of Fresh Air Awards 2013.
The Western Trust Respiratory Team was nominated by the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Breathe Easy Group in recognition of their support in organizing events throughout the year.
The award recognises those who have gone that extra mile to make a difference to people living with lung disease.
The Respiratory Team were awarded for demonstrating exceptional commitment to the aims and objectives of the British Lung Foundation (BLF).
Dr Terence McManus, Western Trust Respiratory Consultant and President of the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Breathe Easy Group said: “I am absolutely delighted to accept the British Lung Foundation (BLF) award on behalf of the Western Trust Respiratory Team.
The team has been working closely with our local Breathe Easy group in Irvinestown for the past year and is an excellent example of how local people with respiratory problems and health care staff can make a real difference to their daily lives through the promotion, support and awareness of BLF services locally.”
If you would like to find out more about the Fermanagh and South Tyrone Breathe Easy Group please contact Ken Murphy, Chairman on T: 028 68631697; Billy Nevin, Secretary on T: 028 68621268 or ARC Healthy Living Centre, Irvinestown on T: 028 68628741.
The group meet on the third Tuesday of every month from 2-4pm in the ARC Healthy Living Centre, Irvinestown and new members are welcome.
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