RWJ Hamilton SleepCare Center To Host Sleep Fair March 29
A Bad Night's Sleep More Than an Inconvenience; It's a Health Hazard

HAMILTON, NEW JERSEY – The SleepCare Center of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) will observe National Sleep Awareness Week by hosting a free health and equipment fair on Thursday evening, March 29, at the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Mercerville, New Jersey.

RWJ Hamilton's experts in the fields of sleep disorders and related medicine will lead informative sessions, and the event will showcase the most technologically advanced sleep-related components. Topics and speakers include:

• "Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease," Ronald G. Ryder, DO, FACC, board certified in cardiovascular diseases
• "Sleep Disorders, Obesity, and Diabetes," John W. Kennedy, MD, board certified in internal medicine, endocrinology and metabolic medicine
• "CPAP Basics and How to Improve CPAP Tolerance," Mahmood I. Siddique, DO, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, board certified sleep specialist, Medical Director, RWJ Hamilton's SleepCare Center
• "Weight Loss Options," Earl L. Noyan, MD, Fellowship-Trained Bariatric Surgeon, board certified in general surgery and Medical Director of RWJ Hamilton's Bariatric Surgery Program

Director of RWJ Hamilton SleepCare Center, Mahmood I. Siddique, DO, FACP, FCCP, FAASM

Those interested in attending the free sleep fair may register in advance by calling HealthConnection, (609) 584-5900.

March includes National Sleep Awareness Week, an annual public education, information and awareness campaign sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation that is now in its tenth year. This nationwide campaign designed to make sleep consciousness a part of every person's lifestyle. This year's campaign theme is “Sleep: As Important as Diet and Exercise (Only Easier!).”

A Bad Night's Sleep is Hazardous to Your Health
An estimated 100 million Americans regularly fail to get a good night's sleep. Approximately 70 million suffer from chronic sleep disorders and about 95 percent of these cases go untreated. Not sleeping well is more than just an inconvenience, however, it's dangerous.

Each year, 200,000 automobile accidents are sleep-related, and individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) – one of the most common sleep disorders – are seven times more likely to have auto accidents. In addition, OSA accounts for more than 38,000 cardiovascular deaths. Fortunately, sleep disorders are both diagnosable and treatable.

Know the Signs of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Signs of OSA or other major sleep disorders include daytime tiredness; loud snoring; waking up choking or gasping; strong desire to nap in the afternoon; unexplained accidents or errors; morning headaches. Patients who think they may be suffering from a sleep disorder should discuss such concerns with a primary care physician who can then refer them to see a sleep specialist. Sleep specialists are uniquely qualified to assess a patient's condition; these professionals may recommend a sleep study.

An Advanced Sleep Center for Patients in Greater Mercer County Now Open
RWJ Hamilton's SleepCare Center is a state-of-the-art overnight and daytime sleep study facility located at West Lake Office Building, 1 Union Street, Robbinsville, New Jersey. The Center is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, meaning it meets the nation's highest standards for sleep programs.

RWJ Hamilton's SleepCare Center is uniquely positioned to raise the emerging science of sleep to a new level for adults and children. The Center is under the medical direction of Mahmood I. Siddique, DO, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, a board certified sleep specialist and associate professor at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Joining Dr. Siddique on staff at the Center are more sleep specialists than at any other hospital in Mercer County. Sleep specialist Sherene El-Sioufi, DO, board certified in sleep medicine, has a special interest in treating pediatric sleep disorders.

For more information on RWJ Hamilton's SleepCare Center, or to schedule a sleep study, call (866) SLEEP40 or (866) 753-3740.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.