180326 March 26, 2018

The Wonder Bread Years

Tommy Towery

LHS '64

    If I had been a stand-up comic instead of a writer, this is what I might have done.

    Last week Sue and I took advantage of a little known program and received free tickets to a show here in Memphis. There is an organization called Vet Tix which offers veterans a chance to get free tickets to various shows and sporting events. Vet Tix * provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

    Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA.

    Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation. VetTixers sign up online. We verify their service. VetTixers request tickets to events that interest them, then pay a small delivery fee to receive their free tickets.

    If you are a veteran, then check them out https://www.vettix.org/. I have seen several Huntsville area tickets available over the last couple of months.

     This show is described as: "A fresh and funny salute to Americana, The Wonder Bread Years Starring Pat Hazell (former Seinfeld writer) is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between stand-up and theater. Audiences across the country are enjoying a show that not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past like never before. From sitting at the kids table to riding in the way back of the Country Squire Wagon, The Wonder Bread Years is a comic bulls-eye for Baby Boomers everywhere."

    This was one of the funniest one-man shows I have seen in a long time and Sue and I both laughed our heads off as Pat took us on a journey back to our childhoods.

Ask Dr. John

John Drummond

LHS '65

Click here for John's Professional Information.

    Q: John, more and more of my friends are starting using CPAP machines at night. I know they were not around in our youth. What is the big drive in prescribing them these days?

    A: When we were growing up, I am not sure there was a known illness called "Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)"   It has become increasingly recognized as a common but subtle cause of fatigue over the past 10-15 years, perhaps longer.   Basically when one is asleep there is intermittent obstruction of air flow into the lungs, causing blood oxygen levels to drop; the person then has a semi-wakeful episode (never totally awake) and begins to breathe rapidly in order to get blood oxygen levels back up to normal.  These episodes may occur 20-30 times/hour or more.  This prevents sound, restful deep sleep, and the person awakens in the morning not feeling well-rested, but tired.  Often the person may fall asleep during the day, and/or need a nap or two.

    The obstruction to air flow may be in the sinuses, but is more common in the throat, often associated with obesity, i.e. a thick neck blocking normal air flow.  The sleep partner may note snoring, restless legs, or erratic breathing pattern.  However, severe sleep apnea can exist in the absence of any symptoms at all other than fatigue.  About 1 of 5 visits to a Primary Care Physician include complaints of fatigue.  After ruling out such causes as anemia, thyroid dysfunction, COPD, etc. Obstructive Sleep Apnea should be considered.   The conclusive proof requires a diagnostic sleep study (Polysomnography) in which the patient is monitored in a Sleep Lab with continuous measurements of breathing rate/rhythm, blood oxygen level and other parameters.  The specialty of Sleep Medicine is a sub-specialty of Pulmonary (Lung) Medicine.

    Treatment is often with CPAP mask worn during sleep, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.   Moist air is blown into the lungs during sleep, preventing a drop in breathing rate/rhythm and low blood oxygen level.   Patients usually respond almost immediately once the mask is properly adjusted, and wake up rested, have more energy during the day, and no longer require naps.

    The diagnosis of OSA can be elusive and subtle;  taking a history from the sleep partner is essential.  There is also a very high association with atrial fibrillation; anyone who has atrial fib and complains of fatigue should probably be checked for sleep apnea.