For Immediate Release

Contact: info@stopsarcoidosis.org

THE FOUNDATION FOR SARCOIDOSIS RESEARCH SUPPORTS
NATIONAL SLEEP AWARENESS WEEK

Chicago, IL (29 March 2004) – As the nation prepares for the return of Daylight Saving Time, the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) and the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) urge sarcoidosis patients to sleep in on Sunday morning, instead of loosing an hour of sleep because of a long list of weekend activities and errands on their schedule.

Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is a potentially fatal inflammatory disease that can appear in almost any organ in the body, but is found most often in the lungs or lymph nodes. Although sarcoidosis affects 1 in 2500 Americans, the cause remains unknown and there is no cure.

Many people who are diagnosed with sarcoidosis find they cannot sleep because they are worried about their disease. Additionally, the standard medical treatment for sarcoidosis is steroid therapy, placing sarcoidosis patients at substantial increased risk for sleep disruption.

“Part of our mission is to improve care for sarcoidosis patients. We feel strongly that for our patients, compounding two chronic conditions can present devastating medical, physical and emotional challenges. FSR is pleased to join with the National Sleep Foundation as a Cooperative Co-Sponsor of National Sleep Week,” said FSR Founder and President Andrea Wilson, herself a sarcoidosis patient.

National Sleep Awareness Week, coordinated by NSF during the days leading up to Daylight Saving Time (March 29-April 4, 2004) is a perfect time for sarcoidosis patients to evaluate the amount of sleep they usually get and to make a commitment to try to get a full night of uninterrupted seven to nine hours of sleep during National Sleep Awareness Week.

Sleep is as important to health as a good diet and exercise. Less sleep has been associated with more daytime sleepiness and consequently more feelings of stress, sadness and anger. Sleep deprivation has also been associated with hormonal and metabolic changes that mimic the effects of aging, as well as increased risk of developing diabetes.

The quantity and quality of our sleep also affects our safety. Lack of sleep makes us less alert and more prone to accidents at home and at work, including falling asleep while driving.

“Sleep is a healthy choice!” said Ms. Wilson “That’s the theme of National Sleep Awareness Week® this year and it’s good advice.”

With NSF, FSR has compiled the following “good choices for sleep” during the day.

Morning

• Get out of bed approximately the same time every day, even on the weekends.

• Eat a healthy breakfast.

• Plan to exercise for at least 20 minutes sometime during the day, preferably in the afternoon, but not too close to bedtime.

Afternoon

• Eat a nutritious lunch.

• If you’re feeling sleepy, take a 20-30 minute nap to help promote short-term alertness, but don’t substitute a daytime nap for a good night’s sleep.

• Monitor and limit your consumption of caffeine. For help, use the caffeine calculator located at www.sleepfoundation.org.

Evening

• Enjoy a healthy dinner; avoid heavy, spicy foods especially if you dine late.

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol especially later in the evening, however a light snack close to bedtime may help ease hunger pains that can disrupt sleep.

• Engage in a relaxing, non-alerting activity such as reading or listening to music. Soaking in a warm bath or hot tub can also help you relax.

Nighttime

• Wrap up work and other stimulating activities at least an hour before bedtime.
  Use your bed only for sexual relations and sleeping.

• Get into bed only when you’re sleepy. Try to keep a regular schedule by going to sleep at approximately the same time every night, even on weekends.

• Create a cool, comfortable, and quiet area for sleeping. Block out light with heavy curtains or use a fan for white noise if needed.

• If you’re having trouble falling asleep, or wake up during the night and can’t fall back asleep after 15 minutes, go to another room and begin a relaxing activity. Then when you feel sleepy, return to bed.

Special considerations: If you are experiencing sleep problems, discuss them with your doctor. Most sleep problems are treatable!

FSR is a National Sleep Awareness Week (NSAW) 2004 Cooperative Co-sponsor with the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). More information about NSAW, sleep, and sleep disorders is available at NSF's Web site at www.sleepfoundation.org and www.stopsarcoidosis.org.

The National Sleep Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health and safety by achieving understanding of sleep and sleep disorders, and by supporting education, sleep-related research and advocacy.

The Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to improving care for patients and to finding a cure for this disease. Since 2000, FSR has worked to position sarcoidosis as a growing problem on the U.S. health care agenda and established itself as the authoritative resource for patients, health professionals and the public.