News Article

Noted sleep specialist helps fatigued firefighters at Phoenix symposium

PHOENIX, AZ., June 18, 2009 – If you think you have a hard time getting a good night’s sleep, imagine what it must be like for a firefighter. Long hours and erratic sleeping patterns during night shifts make it extra hard for firefighters to get quality sleep and as a result they could face serious challenges to their health and alertness, according to nationally recognized sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus of Scottsdale, AZ.

Breus will be helping firefighters from around the world address those problems at the 21st annual Health, Fitness and Safety Symposium sponsored by the Phoenix Fire Department and being held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. Breus will be appearing at the Symposium, which is the only one of its kind in the fire industry, on Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24.

Breus is sleep expert for WebMD and directed the clinical research for AirWare Inc., the Scottsdale-based maker of Brez, a medical device that combats snoring. Breus will work with firefighters on their sleep and snoring problems and provide them tips on how to get better quality rest.

“A firefighter’s mental and physical quickness depends upon physical fitness, nutrition and a good night’s rest,” said Breus. “However while physical fitness and nutrition are under their control, they often face the challenge of getting good quality sleep. Without a proper quantity and quality of sleep their lives and those they work so hard to protect may suffer.”

Brez is co-sponsoring the symposium because the company recognizes the importance of quality sleep, especially for those who protect us while we sleep. Brez is a premium nasal breathing aid that is clinically proven to significantly reduce snoring and is free of drugs, adhesives and latex.

Sleep issues create a number of problems for firefighters, according to a 2007 report sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the United States Fire Administration:
• Firefighters have documented increases in risks for cardiac disease and malignancies, which may be promoted by chronic sleep deprivation associated with long work hours.
• Firefighters are at risk for reductions in mental and physical performance that have been well documented among others working long hours and during the night.
• Fatigue among firefighters may relate to the disproportionately higher injury rates observed at fires during early morning hours.

While firefighters and other first responders have unique sleep problems, some of Breus’s tips apply not only to them, but to everyone:

Cardio not Cappuccino. Exercise (specifically 20-30 minutes of aerobic) is one of the single best ways to improve the quality of sleep.

Wean the Bean. Drink higher caffeinated beverages in the morning and move to lower ones in the mid afternoon. Try to move to fruit juices and water by 2-3 p.m.

Let there be light, just not at bedtime. Light is the single biggest factor telling your body that it is morning. In the evening use a book light for reading, change bulb wattage to 45 at the bedside table, and use a night light in the bathroom to get you there and back to sleep.

No tummy rumbling. Avoid large meals for at least two hours before bedtime. but don't go to bed hungry. Cereal and milk, apple pie a la mode, even cheesecake can be good. A study showed that high glycemic index foods eaten 4 hours before bed can help you get to sleep.

About AirWare, Inc.
AirWare, Inc., founded in 2008, develops, manufactures, and markets Brez, a premium, ergonomic, intranasal breathing aid. Brez is a patented anti-snoring solution clinically proven to significantly reduce snoring, made without drugs, latex or adhesives. Based on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration definition, Brez has been reviewed and categorized as a Class I exempted medical device, for marketing as an over-the-counter treatment to help relieve symptoms for many conditions related to impaired breathing, such as snoring. To learn more about AirWare visit www.mybrez.com or call 877-299-6700.

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