NFL Super Bowl Champion And CPAP Intolerant Derek Kennard Becomes Advocate For Sleep Apnea Awareness With Pro Player Health Alliance
Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) May 12, 2014 -- NFL Super Bowl champion and CPAP intolerant, Derek Kennard, works to improve health of the former players through Pro Player Health Alliance(PPHA) since being treated for sleep apnea. After suffering the extreme negative effects of the disorder and going through terrible personal experiences with family and former teammates, Derek Kennard has increased his efforts to raise awareness so that others do not have to share his experiences. Derek said, "My doctor had me going to sleep labs and trying CPAPs and it just didn't work for me. It wasn't until I met David Gergen, got a home sleep test and an oral appliance that my life changed forever. I'm confident I'll be around to see my grand children because of it."
Kennard wears what is known as the Herbst Device for sleep disorders. It is a simple oral appliance that stops the lower jaw from receding and the tongue's obstructing of one’s airway at night while they’re asleep. Along with Kennard, over 160 additional former professional athletes have been treated through PPHA with the Herbst Device.
Gergen mentions that one of the most dangerous things about sleep apnea is that most people either don’t know they have it or they don’t know the harmful effects of letting it go untreated. While fatigue is a common symptom, it can lead to heart complications and lowers the immune system making the body more susceptible to other illnesses. He has also found many aren’t aware that there are alternative treatments to CPAP. "CPAP is a great treatment option for some people, but we want CPAP intolerants to know there's another option," Mr. Gergen stated in a recent interview.
For more information on Derek Kennard's story or alternative treatment options for CPAP intolerants, contact Pro Player Health Alliance at http://www.proplayersleep.com or visit the Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ProPlayerHealthAlliance
About Pro Player Health Alliance
Pro Player Health Alliance (PPHA) is an organization dedicated to helping former NFL players and the public through providing testing and treatment options for those who suffer from sleep apnea. In addition, the PPHA is dedicated to integrating education and raising awareness, in a fun and memorable way. The PPHA was created by David Gergen.
About David Gergen
As President of Pro Player Health Alliance, he 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 American Sleep and Breathing Academy, a national interdisciplinary academy dedicated to sleep training and education. He has worked for some of the pioneers in the orthodontic and sleep dentistry fields. One of his proudest achievements is receiving The National Leadership award for Arizona Small Businessman of the Year in 2004.
Matthew McGuire, Pro Player Health Alliance, http://www.proplayersleep.com, +1 6239860279, [email protected]
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