National Sleep Foundation Blasts Primary Care Physicians

"Primary Care Physicians Ignoring Patient's Sleep Complaints" According To New National Sleep Foundation Survey"

In a recent interview on Health Matters, a show hosted by Dr. Shoshana Bennet on Voice America.com, sleep disorder expert Robert E Peterson RPSGT revealed these alarming statistics. 40 million Americans are CHRONICALLY ill with various sleep disorders yet 96% of doctors don't ask patients about their sleep habits or problems. 50,000 cardiovascular deaths annually are directly attributed to Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), yet most patients will never be diagnosed or treated.

"The paradox happening in doctors' offices can be dangerous to your health" Peterson quoted Richard L Gelula, executive director of the NSF.
"While our survey shows primary care physicians believe sleep is important to personal health and should be an essential part of a regular checkup, they do not feel they have the time to discuss it."
"More than two-thirds of primary care physicians believe they should raise issues about sleep with their patients, however, nearly all (96%) say the discussion is more likely to occur if the patient initiates it. People are not always aware that their sleepiness may be due to a sleep disorder, and if you don't bring up the issue with your doctor, chances are it won't be discussed." That means easily treated sleep problems will remain undiagnosed and untreated.

More than 80% of respondents agreed the availability of effective treatments and simple diagnostic tools would encourage them to prioritize sleep-related issues with their patients.
Mr Peterson was promoting his book that outlines the sleep disorder screening and marketing guide, "PROFESSIONAL GUIDE TO SLEEP DISORDERS MANAGEMENT"
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Robert E Peterson RPSGT is the author of two books on sleep disorders and president of SDP a sleep disorder consulting service.
Any questions for Mr. Peterson contact:
845 234-2857
SDP LLC
Cold Spring NY 10516
www.4sdp.com
www.sleepebooks.com