For Stan Mersand, his appointment with Dr. Patricia Tietjen, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Danbury Hospital, began a journey to better health through improved sleep hygiene. After explaining the problems he was experiencing, Dr. Tietjen referred him to Sleep Medicine Specialist Jose Mendez, MD.
Although Mr. Mersand, a resident of Pawling, NY, had used Danbury Hospital’s services occasionally over the past 20 years, his primary hospital was in New York. He experienced issues with sleep and participated in two sleep studies over the years at centers in New York, with no success. He felt it would be worthwhile to make an appointment with Dr. Mendez and give it another try, and for him the third attempt was a charm.
The sleep study performed at Danbury Hospital was a good experience in many ways. He felt the staff accommodated him, was sensitive to his issues with claustrophobia, and generally put him at ease. The collaboration of the staff and Dr. Mendez were instrumental in the positive outcome from this study. According to Mr. Mersand, his diagnosis was that he has a complex form of sleep apnea in that he was diagnosed with obstructive and central apnea which can ultimately result in serious medical implications that could include death.
According to Dr. Mendez, Mr. Mersand was severely limited by his sleep apnea and was paralyzed by the fear of having to use CPAP. The sleep medicine team was able to desensitize him of these fears and he is now completely compliant. Because of that, he has shown a profound improvement in his sleep apnea leading to a healthier life. As an added bonus, his wife of many years is happy to enjoy a good night’s sleep without the interruption of loud snoring.
The American Sleep Apnea Association reports that sleep apnea is a debilitating and life-shortening ailment that is estimated to affect 22 million Americans. Most don’t know it. Untreated, it can lead to depression, heart disease, diabetes, and fatal car crashes. It is also a major contributor to presenteeism within the work environment.
For more information on the sleep medicine program at Danbury Hospital visit www.danburyhospital.org or call 1-866-374-0007.
About Western Connecticut Health Network:
Western Connecticut Health Network is a patient-centered health care organization established in 2010 by two nationally recognized hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital and their affiliated organizations, to provide the highest level of care to patients throughout Western Connecticut and adjacent New York. In addition to the two hospitals, other network affiliates include:
* an integrated physician practice with primary and specialty care expertise
* an agency for home care and community health services
* a full-service retail pharmacy located at Danbury Hospital
* emergency medical services
* an occupational wellness and medicine program, providing services for business and industry
Western Connecticut Health Network has centers of excellence in women’s, neonatal, cardiovascular and cancer services; weight loss and orthopedic surgery; digestive disorders and radiology and diagnostic imaging. It also offers specialized programs for sleep disorders and asthma management. Both hospitals also maintain active clinical research programs, offering clinical trials for patients with cancer and other health concerns. For more information, visit www.WesternConnecticutHealthNetwork.org
About New Milford Hospital:
New Milford Hospital, is a Planetree organization dedicated to patient-centered care that nurtures every patient's body, mind and spirit. The Hospital has an extraordinary tradition of warm and caring personal attention backed by top-notch physicians, world-class technology and the newest, most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available. Your healthcare team of highly trained physicians, nurses, technicians and administrators is determined and committed to improving the health and quality of life of those we serve. For more information, visit www.NewMilfordHospital.org.
About Danbury Hospital:
Danbury Hospital is a 371-bed regional medical center and university teaching hospital associated with the University of Vermont College of Medicine, the Yale University School of Medicine, the Connecticut School of Medicine and Columbia University Medical Center. The hospital is nationally recognized as a tertiary health care center with an innovative high-tech, high-touch environment and is also a member of the Planetree organization. In addition to offering the latest robotic and minimally invasive surgical and imaging technology, it was the first hospital in Connecticut to adopt electronic health records systems. It offers a Level II Trauma Center and Level IIIb Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Medical staff members are board-certified in their specialties, and most serve as faculty members of the nation’s finest university medical centers offering a higher level of experience. For more information, visit www.DanburyHospital.org.
