David Gergen Stages Come Back
An interesting and conducive way to raise awareness of the deadly disorder, sleep apnea
Millions of Americans are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but many of these people are unaware that they have OSA. With over 12 million Americans diagnosed with OSA and an estimate of millions more whom have not yet been diagnosed, the use of oral appliance therapy is growing exponentially. OSA is a syndrome caused by obstruction of the upper airway. It is characterized by repetitive pauses in breathing during sleep, despite the effort to breathe, and is usually associated with a reduction in blood oxygen saturation. These pauses in breathing, called “apneas,” typically last 20 to 40 seconds. Symptoms are wide in range, however the most common are unexplained daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, and loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps). OSA can put you at risk for high blood pressure, obesity, stroke, and heart disorders, amongst many others.
Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA) and Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab have teamed up to raise awareness on sleep apnea in our nation. David Gergen, co-founder of PPHA and owner of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab has found an interesting and conducive way to raise awareness of the deadly disorder. Gergen has teamed up with retired NFL greats to speak with fans who suffer with the disorder at local events around the nation. As part of the event, former NFL legends Tony Dorsett, Roy Green, Derek Kennard, Dave Krieg, and Mark Walczak will share their experiences with sleep apnea and treatment. But it doesn’t stop there.
“Awareness needs to be raised in our local communities that the military is greatly affected by the disorder as well. We want to raise awareness to our military families that are living with the disorder,” says Gergen. “That is why we are working so closely with the American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars(VFWs) around the country.”
Creating the Pro Player Health Alliance, has brought a new wave of awareness to the public by NFL greats sharing personal struggles, experiences, and losses with sleep apnea. The organization has held several free events around the country to teach the public about the dangers of snoring and sleep apnea, as well as treatment options available. Gergen has been a driving force in the momentum as his company fabricates the appliances for the NFL players that are diagnosed as well as the patients who are diagnosed through attending these events.
“Together with the former NFL players, we are able to draw a captive audience and offer free home sleep testing to all attendees, to ensure everyone will get tested and seek treatment! We would like to invite those who serve and have served our country to attend these events,” says Gergen.
A majority of attendees report snoring, morning headaches, daytime fatigue, irritability, high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes, these are all serious health issues that are linked to sleep apnea.
“The Pro Player Health Alliance is an incredible organization out to help those who suffer from sleep apnea. Working with sleep apnea patients, I know how easy it can be to treat this disorder and our organization has already had a huge positive impact on many,” mentions Gergen.
The next event is in Scottsdale, AZ on January 10, 2013. To attend this event or any their future events to learn more about sleep apnea please visit: http://www.proplayersleep.org.
About Pro Player Health Alliance
The Pro Players Health Alliance (PPHA) is an organization dedicated to helping former NFL players, through providing testing and treatment options for those who suffer from sleep apnea. In addition, the PPHA is dedicated to integrating education and raising sleep apnea awareness, in a fun and memorable way. In addition to the campaign, the PPHA is dedicated to testing and getting people treated who suffer from sleep apnea. The PPHA was created by David Gergen, President of Gergen’s Orthodontic Lab, Rani Ben-David, President of Sleep Group Solutions, and Former NFL legends.
About David Gergen
David Gergen, CDT and President of Pro Player Health Alliance, has been a nationally respected dental lab technician for over 25 years. He received the award for “The Finest Orthodontic Technician in the Country” given by Columbus Dental in 1986. He also has been appointed chair of the dental wing of the Sleep and Breathing Academy a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education with over 60,000 members. David rolled out of bed on September 12, 1981 and had his career “ah ha” moment. He knew he was going to be an orthodontic technician and he knew he was going to help people all over the country to help treat their sleep disorders in partnership with their dentists. He has worked for some of the pioneers in the orthodontic and sleep dentistry fields. He was the personal technician for the likes of Dr. Robert Ricketts, Dr. Ronald Roth, Dr. A. Paul Serrano, Dr. Clark Jones, Dr. Harold Gelb, Dr. Joseph R. Cohen, Dr. Rodney Willey, Dr. Allan Bernstein, and Dr. Thien Pham. One of his proudest achievements is receiving The National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2004.
About Dr. Allan Bernstein
Allan K. Bernstein, D.D.S., focuses his practice exclusively on orofacial pain disorders (TMD), and obstructive sleep apnea/snoring. He has been in practice in the Phoenix Valley since 1978. Dr. Bernstein received his dental training at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and completed his dental internship at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, MD. He continues to enhance and refine his clinical expertise through ongoing training and professional involvement in TMD, as well as the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea with the use of oral appliances, an area he expanded his practice to include since 1986. Dr. Bernstein is board certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain, the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and served as a member of the Academy’s Board of Directors.
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