snoring

When flying, we like to feel as if our heads are in the clouds, but sometimes it’s more like being thrust into a thunderstorm, with engines roaring, kids crying and seatmates snoring.

To crawl into a quiet space, we tried out Able Planet’s newest model of noise cancellation headphones, the Extreme (877-266-1979, www.ableplanet.com ; $149), released last month.

White is the sound of the noise when you switch on the function that throws a soft blanket over the world’s din. But it’s also one of the color options. The others are pink (10 percent of proceeds go to breast cancer foundations), red and blue, and all feature swatches of Burberry-knockoff plaid where Princess Leia’s hair buns sat. For easy packing, the headphones fold into a compact ball smaller than a travel hair dryer.

The electronic muffs fit comfortably on our head, with puffy cushions protecting our ears and crown. Oddly, the chord is as long as a jump rope, but we could still easily reach the volume control midway down. The company touts its Linx Audio technology, which claims to sharpen sound with no need for you to pump up the volume and shatter your ear drums. And indeed, when we plugged into our music-and-movie device, the voices were crisp and clear, as if we were in a private theater with surround-sound. Despite the headgear, though, we could still hear the man next to us singing. But with our headphones on, his song was more of a lullaby than an off-key screech.

ENT’s surgery center opened 10 years ago as a part of Spokane Ear Nose and Throat Clinic.  Since then the ASC has grown to average 3,200 cases annually the last two fiscal years, with patients seen from three states. Apart from providing advanced treatments for disorders of the larynx, head and neck, respiratory tract, allergy, trachea and endocrine glands, SENT also provides services in audiology, hearing aids and OTO implants, swallowing and reflux disorders, reconstructive and facial plastic surgery, and snoring and sleep disorders.

The facility is used by 11 physician-owners and one employed physician, all of whom are board-certified.  The practice also includes an advanced registered nurse practictioner and nine audiologists, including five Doctors of Audiology. SENT features three ORs in its 10,000-square-foot center and houses technologically advanced medical equipment used for image-guided surgeries, laser procedures and microsurgeries.

Susan Legel, CFO of SENT, attributes the success of the center to a strong working staff and engaged physicians who stay updated on clinical practices, performance trends and changing regulations and reform in the healthcare industry.

“Our physicians take an active interest in making the ASC successful across all aspects,” she says. “We also have a cross-trained team that works well together and focuses on quality improvement to allow high quality patient care to be provided at optimal efficiency.”

The ASC manager and administration also work in conjunction with physicians and staff to ensure SENT maintains compliance with accrediting and licensure bodies and improves clinical and operational outcomes, such as care quality indicators, OR turnover, paid hours per case and overtime hours.

However, “All food has a place in the human diet,” stated a spokesperson for the Lemon Meringue Industry.

More consequential was a subsequent study reported by Dr. Gershwin Rabinowitz of the Ft. Lauderdale Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, evidencing a correlation between portliness and decreased sex drive. Certainly it helps to be able to get your arms around each other, cuddling requiring two people on the same sofa.

But more disconcerting is this AP bulletin just in. According to scientists at a sleep clinic in Toronto, of 800 male patients who’ve sought help there, one in 12 had engaged in sexual activity while asleep. (When did snoring become a sexual activity?)

I’m not making this up. Forget sleep walking. Stated the clinic sexologist, some wake up with no memory of the experience and only learn about it later from their partner. For others, it takes “pleasant dreams” to a new level.

So how does this work? Are we saying Casanova unknowingly lights the candle, turns on the soft music, tosses his skivvies over the lamp shade and hubba hubba, all while the little woman’s supposedly zonked? He sleeps through the whole rhapsodic ruckus? And the next morning he’s clueless?

So, are you missing out if you’re having an awesome sex life and you don’t know it? Not the ones who remember their dreams.

Typical breakfast conversation:

Casanova: “Good morning, Snookums! Last night I dreamt we went to the drive-in.”

The misses: “Good morning, Owald, I dreamt Brad Pitt showed up to repair the fridge.”

Question: Is the new male performance drug, Tylenol PM? Forget Viagra. Send out for Sominex!

Question: Will the cost of sleeping pills go up or down?

For example, dozens of records list only generic descriptions for cause of death, such as “mixed drug toxicity” or “drug intoxication.”

Still, at least a third of the accidental overdose deaths specifically involved some type of narcotic painkiller, the investigation reveals.

Topping the list is methadone, a synthetic narcotic popularly known as a medication prescribed to help heroin addicts kick the habit but now widely prescribed as a painkiller. It has contributed to at least 60 military deaths — more than any other drug, legal or illegal, according to the data.

These painkillers belong to a family of medications known as opioids, synthetic versions of opium. With names such as methadone and oxycodone (brand name OxyContin), these drugs have found wide use in the past decade in the treatment of chronic pain.

Opioids in high doses, or when mixed with alcohol or other drugs, can depress the central nervous system, sometimes fatally.

About one in seven soldiers is currently prescribed some form of opiate, according to the Army.

Opioids are particularly dangerous, experts say, when combined with another class of drugs called benzodiazepines, or “benzos.” With names like alprazolam (brand name Xanax) and diazepam (Valium), these drugs are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety, including post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, benzodiazepines increase the respiratory-depressant effect of narcotics. Taken together improperly, they can stop the respiratory system entirely.

According to the military data, at least two dozen deaths involved a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines.

“One thing we’ve learned in the last decade is that the effect of opioids, like methadone, is enhanced when it’s co-ingested with a benzodiazepine,” said Dr. Bruce Goldberger, a professor and director of toxicology at the University of Florida.

Some experts peg the spike in prescription-drug use to the tens of thousands of physically and mentally wounded returning from two war fronts over the past decade. They are being prescribed drugs to which they often become addicted or abuse either willfully or through lack of proper medical oversight.

Goldberger pointed to the challenges of treating those returning from the war zones.

“PTSD patients suffer from anxiety disorders, so they would be prescribed drugs like Xanax, but also may be seeking treatment for pain, so they’re being prescribed drugs like methadone,” he said. “It’s really a very complicated medical situation.”

Dr. Lynn Webster, medical director of Lifetree Clinical Research and Pain Clinic in Salt Lake City, who has written extensively about safe prescribing practices, encouraged family members to be extra vigilant and closely monitor loved ones on these medications, particularly at night. Be on the lookout for heavy snoring or long pauses between breaths, he said.

“These are signs that happen prior to dying,” he said. “Family members can fail to recognize that this is an impending calamity.”

he jaw joint found in front of the ear – also known as the TMJ – can spark a migraine through the common nerve supply it shares with the head. Pain here can tighten muscles in the face and in turn, change the jaw’s direction of movement.

In addition, migraines can be caused by teeth grinding during sleep which is often brought about by anxiety or stress.

Dr Krishnan, dentist and owner of Lubiju, said his dental treatment – which includes fitting a splint on the teeth – works to reduce grinding and minimise tooth damage.

He added: “Studies have shown that the NTI splint which we use decreases stress in the jaw and can reduce migraine pain attacks by up to 75 per cent in 75 per cent of its users.

“Furthermore it’s the only appliance that has passed the rigorous testing of the Food and Drugs Agency (FDA) in the USA and has been approved for the prevention of medically diagnosed migraine pain.

“It’s a small dental mouthpiece worn at night that fits securely on either the upper or lower front teeth. Dental splints can improve the TMJ’s position and reduce stress in the jaw.

“Not only is the splint a successful treatment for migraines, it can also prevent tooth damage and in some patients has been shown to reduce problems associated with snoring.”

Dr Krishnan, who founded Lubiju in early 2009, has focused on adopting and developing emerging techniques in cosmetic dentistry. Lubiju offers two plush consultation rooms and three state of the art treatment suites in his Edinburgh clinic, as well as an exclusive practice in Harley Street, London.

Kirsten Lord, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the business, runs the three physiotherapy centres in central Edinburgh and Glasgow and her expert physiotherapists are all trained in specific migraine reduction techniques.

The package of treatment for the Migraine Relief Clinic costs £450 which includes three physiotherapy sessions at the Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre and the fitting of the NTI splint at Lubiju.

Kirsten added: “We first assess you to find the specific muscles and joints which tether your nerves then release them with manual techniques. We also explain what the problems are and what we need to do to fix them.

“Reducing stress and improving ergonomics eases the tension and tone in the muscles and simple advice, such as not using chewing gum, will keep your muscles loose. Our aim is to give you a long term relief of pain.”

I think my 8-year-old daughter, Aimee, has a future as a photographer for one of those supermarket tabloids. Or at the very least she might be good at taking mug shots at the police station.

She has a knack of getting pictures that are not very flattering of people, especially her father.

While I snoozed on the beach while waiting for the sun to come out last week, she snagged the family camera and took this gem below.

My older kids put her up to it and happily suggested I allow Groller’s Corner readers to see it. They thought you’d get a kick out of it. So, I am trusting their instincts on this one.

It’s a shame that it’s not a video as well because I am told there was some pretty serious snoring going on when this shot was taken. I find that hard to believe, but that’s what they said.

Anyway, I was dreaming of making some great picks in this high school football season.

Hayden gets called to the DR again. Enzo hopes this means his HOH room is ready. They are all so tired. They have not eaten yet but they know they have to go look at his room. Enzo says maybe his letter will be from Kristin. Lane says why would you say that. Enzo says he still thinks she might be his sister. Brit has joined them and they all start laughing. Enzo says he is going to look closer at any family pictures. He says he might say…Look at your little sister. She looks like Kristin.

Enzo asks Brit if she is sad that she lost. She says no but I don’t think they really believe her. She does say that she thinks they should have listened to Ragan and got rid of Hayden. She said we wouldn’t have this problem if we had done that. I’m betting she will be spending a lot of time tonight in the HOH room…just her and Hayden.

Britany is saying she is missing her cell phone. She wishes she had it. She wishes she could check out all her messages on Facebook. Lane asks her is she lets Nick check out all her messages. She says sure he could but he doesn’t. Britany says she never gets rid of anyones number so she has some from when she was 15.

She says Nick has Britany Gorgeous and her number. Thats what comes up on his phone. Hayden says if he meets a cute girl and asks for her number, he’ll put like Cute blonde and her number. He doesn’t usually put down their names.

Lane says he can see Brit dating a Frat boy. She says she has never dated a natural frat guy. Nick is not a frat boy. She thinks frat guys are good dressers but she says Nick is a really good dresser. He always looks sharp when they go out..

Lane and Enzo are both laying down and trying to sleep. Hayden comes in and sits next to Brit. He says he sure hope the CEO of Steamboat was watching tonight and heard him say they would be coming there in January. He thinks they would really be treated well. He hopes they will want to give them a lot of freebies.

Britany gets called to the DR. She does not want to go becauseshe has just been there a while ago. She gets up and leaves. When she is gone, Lane says she will never go in January to Steamboat. Hayden hopes he is right!

BB tells Enzo he is abstructing his microphone. He is sleeping! I guess they want us to hear his snoring better. This whole group spent the whole afternoon sleeping and now they are all tired again. Now Hayden lays down too. All three guys are sleeping!

Monday afternoon, with some daylight left, I found Hidden Meadows in Glenmont.

Just head out Pearl Street, a very pleasant woman told me on the phone. She said turn just before the Citgo tanks, onto Smultz Road.

I pulled up to find a piece of land that once held a slaughterhouse and butcher shop. Now, it’s a terrific, short-game tester with some great ideas from the designers, who happen to be the sons of the owners.

In the pro shop was the woman I had spoken to on the phone and next to her was the low, rumbled snoring of Sophia, the family’s bulldog. She is very friendly and the course’s mascot.

I had a coupon, so it cost me $14 to play 18 and I got around in two hours. The card gives you 36 more minutes than that but I played two balls. The greens are slightly bigger on the back than the front, but either way, you have to be precise. There are some danger spots around with ponds, and wooded areas and wildflowers and growth, so be careful.

Here, I left all my woods in the trunk, brought irons 5-9, PW, SW, LW and putter, plus a new MacGregor 5-hybrid for a couple of 200-yard holes. While I donated a few balls, I did all right, while walking the course.

I had a very nice chat with the owners and hope to tell you more about the course soon. They opened in June 2009. It’s a great bargain and you can work on your short game and you’d never know you were just down from the port.

Gerald “Jerry” Peck, 70, was charged Tuesday with child molestation and voyeurism. Portage detectives have been investigating the case since the incident allegedly happened Aug. 2 and 3 at the Days Inn in Portage, at 6161 U.S. 20.

The three spent Aug. 2 at the Indiana Dunes, and both girls later described Peck’s behavior in the water with them as awkward — that he would pick them up in his arms like babies and then toss them in the water. He also reportedly would “kiss and blow” on the 13-year-old’s stomach, as if he were trying to tickle her, according to the police report.

Once at the hotel, the girls asked to go swimming at the motel pool and Peck gave them permission, but he said he had to use the bathroom first. When he was done, the girls went in to change and discovered a digital video camera partially under a bag, they told police. It was recording and they checked the video, which showed Peck setting up the camera; they said they didn’t know what to make of it, so they deleted the video and put it back, they told police.

Then that night, as the two girls slept in one bed and Peck in the other, the older girl told police she woke up around 2 a.m. to find her blankets off and Peck’s hand allegedly on her and rubbing her. When he realized she was awake he pulled back his arm, which was reaching across the span between the beds, and got back under his covers.

She sent a text message to her mother and then, once she heard Peck snoring, woke her friend and the two quietly left the room and went to the front desk.

When Peck came looking for them, the front desk clerk told him to go back to his room because they were reporting the incident to police.

The clerk then gave the girls their own room while they waited for their parents, but police were not called until the parents arrived.

Then Jlkow went out to take delivery of his new Myvi (a car some of you blogger insulted) and by the time they came back it was time for them to go out for their Ballroom Dancing Club’s annual reunion dinner in Taiping.  Tt and wife joined them but TFL and I decided to relax in the farm.  We really relaxed for we fell asleep in the living room lying on our comfortable X-frame camp-beds we set up.  By the time we woke up, the dancing couples were back at 12.00 midnight (just like Cinderella)!

We sat and chatted for another hour or so before we turned in only to be awakened by the fowls at around 2.00 a.m. as they cannot tell when dawn comes and again at 4.00 a.m.  Whatever, we still enjoyed the sound of cocks crowing and crickets making eerie noises.  I finally awoke around 7.00 a.m. and found TFL missing from the living room together with the camp-bed he was sleeping on.  My first thought was that he had awakened and had already packed his camp-bed!  Then I found him in jlkow’s store room snoring away.  He finally woke around 10.00 a.m.

I had a lovely breakfast and talked to Mrs. Jlkow as jlkow was busy feeding his animals and looking at his trees and plants.  I had the best half-boiled eggs in my life, two tiny ones laid by the now famous ‘small’ hens of Jlkow.  They were exceptionally delicious unlike normal eggs!  O so ‘lemak’!  Eventually, TFL and the tts joined us after their long sleep.  By the time we finished breakfast it was time to change and drive to Kuala Sepetang for the seafood lunch and to meet AnSon and family and LG and cousin.

It took us almost 40 minutes to reach the Riverside Restaurant and by then AnSon had already arrived and had time to visit a charcoal factory before reaching the restaurant.  On reaching Kuala Sepetang we received a call that informed us that LG and cousin had arrived too.  All were very punctual for when I looked at my watch it was just 1.00 p.m.

I’ll leave others to tell about the lunch.  LG had already posted a write-up in her blog and I am sure AnSon would tell you more about it, too.  Not forgetting TFL, tt and jlkow, who I am sure cannot wait to share the experience with all bloggers.  There will be a few who would condemn us for sharing here but since we all met because of Star CB, we feel it is only right to share it here.  Skip reading these if you do not like them!  Thanks.