Sleep apnea affects a huge number of Americans and it has become a raging concern among most people. There are quite a few organizations that help people deal with the condition and spread awareness about the symptoms and treatment of the condition of sleep apnea. Some of the top sleep apnea related organizations are:

American Sleep Apnea Association

The American Sleep Apnea Association is an organization that aims at educating the American public about the various aspects of sleep apnea. It is the only non-profit organization of its kind. Established in 1990, The American Sleep Apnea Association simply aims at reducing the injury, disability, and death from sleep apnea.

They also aim to promote the wellbeing of patients suffering from this condition. The ASAA or American Sleep Apnea Association also has a network of voluntary support called A.W.A.K.E., which continuously tries to bring innovations and changes in the way sleep apnea is dealt with, and treated. A.W.A.K.E. is an acronym for Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic – traits that are usually missing in patients of sleep apnea. The organization however, aims at changing this very factor and helping the patients to live a somewhat healthy and energetic life.

What other duties do they have?

Apart from helping the public to know more about the condition of sleep apnea, the ASAA also replies to thousands of queries that are sent in from all over the country, regarding the diagnosis, treatment and other options about the condition.

They also try to reach the undiagnosed patients by working in sync with other organizations and health care professionals. They also develop programs and materials that will help the public to know more about the condition and assist the patients to live with their apnea – in the healthiest and risk free way possible.

The Wake-Up Call

The ASAA also published a newsletter called the Wake-Up Call that helps to provide useful and objective materials on the subject of sleep apnea. It gives an overall view of what people have to face when they suffer from sleep apnea – the legal issues of patients with sleep apnea, the research news and new strategies in the field.

The ASAA brochure “Get the Facts about Sleep Apnea” gives a definition about the various aspects of the condition and even includes a small and simple self-diagnostic test that can help you to determine if you are suffering from sleep apnea.

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute is located in Bethesda, Maryland and is a division of the National Institutes of Health. NHLBI runs a national program for the diseases of heart, blood, lung and sleep disorders.

Apart from dealing with research related to the causes, treatment, prevention and diagnosis of patients suffering from these diseases, they also conduct researches on various sleep disorders.

National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation or NSF is yet another non profit organization that aims at improving the quality of life and the health of patients suffering from various sleep and sleep related disorders. The organizations rely on grants from corporations and government agencies, to support its programs.

NSF aims to make the American people aware that sleep is an important component for their health and their safety. The organization also spreads awareness about the various signs and symptoms of sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, and then goes on to discuss the various treatment options.

National Sleep Awareness Week

This is a program held by the NSF that takes place during the return of Daylight Saving Time, the annual “springing forward” of clocks – a feature that can cause Americans to lose an hour of proper sleep. The program is meant to spread education, information and awareness about various sleep related disorders.

National Transportation Safety Board

The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent government body that investigates every civil aviation accident in the United States, as well as accidents of other modes of transport. They are meant to determine the probable cause of the accident, apart from a number of other duties.

There are a number of incidents that the NTSB has identified, that have resulted from severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea – both in cases of pilots or train drivers. Accidents due to sleep apnea are also a concern in highways and roadways. Truck drivers too seem to suffer from this condition. It is for this reason that the NTSB has recommended screening and tests for pilots to rule out sleep apnea induced accidents.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) structures clinical guidelines that help doctors to evaluate, diagnose, treat and follow-up patients suffering from sleep disorders.

Sleep Care Centers

The 800-odd Sleep Care Centers spread throughout the nation and even outside it are meant to raise public awareness about various sleep related issues.

Sleep in America polls

This is yet another program that focuses on different demographics every year to document the seriousness of the condition.

Drowsy Driving Prevention Week

Since sleep disorders give rise to more accidents, this national campaign aims at raising awareness about the various dangers of drowsy driving.

Pillow Talk

Pillow Talk is a social networking initiative, where patients suffering from the condition can register and share their experiences about the sleep disorder they are experiencing.