Updating the List

In the article “From the Editor,” (HomeCare, April 2003), I noticed the Arizona Medical Equipment Suppliers Association (AZMESA) was not listed. If you could help us inform providers in Arizona of this newer organization, your help would be greatly appreciated. I have enjoyed your magazine from when it first started and would like to thank you for all of the information you provide to our industry.
— Wade Hendrickson, president, Hendrickson Healthcare, Rock Rapids, Iowa; and founding member of AZMESA

Editor's Note: AZMESA may be reached by telephone at 651/439-2944 or by e-mail at ArizonaMESA@aol.com.

In a recent issue, you published names of state associations. Ours was left off the list. I am forwarding it to you so that if you ever publish it again, we can be included. We have been very active in the competitive bidding arena and in the fight to protect our patients from devastating Medicaid cuts. Thanks so much — keep up the good work!
— Tara M. Modisett, staff, and Rebecca Snead, executive director, Virginia Association of Medical Equipment Companies (VADMEC), Richmond, Va.

Editor's Note: VADMEC may be reached by telephone at 804/285-4227, by e-mail at VADMEC@vadmec.org, or on the Web at www.vadmec.org.

More Sleep Apnea Resources

Thank you very much for running the article “Snoring and Headaches Are Linked, According to Government Study” (HomeCare Monday, May 5). The American Sleep Apnea Association has been noting for years that morning headaches may be a symptom of untreated sleep apnea. In fact, it is one of the presenting symptoms noted on the Web site in our section for health care professionals at www.sleepapnea.org/promemb.html and listed on our display taken to medical meetings such as the American Academy of Family Physicians. Morning headache is also included as a symptom of untreated sleep apnea in our general brochure for patients (www.sleepapnea.org/brochure2.html).

Each day the ASAA works to educate both the lay public and health care professionals about the symptoms of sleep apnea, including — besides morning headache — snoring, falling asleep easily and/or sometimes inappropriately, feelings of depression, memory problems, and high blood pressure. Most people with sleep apnea are undiagnosed and therefore untreated, and it is the ASAA's mission is to change that state of affairs: All with sleep apnea should be diagnosed and treated properly.

Home care companies can get more information about sleep apnea, for themselves and for their patients, in the section for health care professionals in home care at www.sleepapnea.org/homecare.html.

Thank you again for helping to teach more people about sleep apnea.
— Christin Engelhardt, American Sleep Apnea Association, Washington

Editor's Note: For more on sleep disorders, see this month's Market Analysis on page 44.

E-mail your letters to Editor-in-Chief Gail Walker at gwalker@primediabusiness.com.