Sleep Apnea

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When we think of snoring, we typically think about annoyed spouses and a few lost Z’s—not a serious medical condition. But in some cases snoring can indicate a dangerous health problem called sleep apnea.

If your snoring is associated with restlessness, erratic breathing, snorting or interrupted breathing, you may have obstructive sleep apnea. Untreated, this can lead to injury or even death from falling asleep while driving, or other major errors and accidents caused by inattentiveness. In addition to these hazards, obstructive sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and even spontaneous death.

Risk factors for developing sleep apnea include obesity, facial abnormalities, and abnormalities of the airway or throat. Other potential risk factors include heredity, smoking, nasal congestion and diabetes. If you think this sounds like a lot of people are at risk, you’re right. About one out of 10 adults suffer from sleep apnea, accompanied by daytime sleepiness. It’s also estimated that one out of four adults are at high risk for developing sleep apnea.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, someone you know or love has likely complained that you snore and you have probably complained about chronic daytime sleepiness. You may complain that you never feel refreshed, no matter how many hours you sleep, and that you often wake up with a headache, get up frequently to use the bathroom and remember vivid dreams. If you’ve had untreated sleep apnea for a long time, you may also have trouble concentrating, struggle with short-term memory, and even feel anxious or depressed for no apparent reason.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (the following set of medical questions) may help determine whether you suffer from sleep apnea. If you think you would have a moderate to high chance of dozing off or falling asleep in at least three of the situations below, you should seek medical attention. Do you doze off:

  1. Sitting and reading
  2. Watching TV
  3. Sitting inactive in a public place (theater, meeting, etc.)
  4. As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
  5. Lying down to rest in the afternoon
  6. Sitting and talking to someone
  7. Sitting quietly after lunch (without alcohol)
  8. In a car while sitting stopped in traffic for a few minutes

Talk to your primary care physician about any issues with snoring or daytime sleepiness. If your physician suspects sleep apnea, he or she may refer you to an otolaryngologist (ENT) for consultation.

The ENT would make sure there’s no obvious mechanical problem with your airway anatomy (nasal and throat). If all appears well, your doctor may refer you for an overnight sleep study. If you appear to be struggling to breathe while asleep or are not getting enough oxygen, the doctor may want you to try sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine—which helps keep your airway open while you sleep—as part of the testing process

If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, treatments include mouth guards, CPAP machines and surgery. It may also help to avoid alcohol and tobacco, or to lose weight if you’re overweight. If you have an anatomical problem, surgery to remove excess tissue in the throat may be an option. If surgery isn’t an option, CPAP is a good, noninvasive choice.

After being treated for sleep apnea, many patients say they feel like new people. They wake up feeling refreshed, no longer suffer daytime sleepiness or struggle with concentration, and have happy sleep partners. Here’s to a good night’s sleep!

— Sung Hui Knueppel, M.D.

— The Palo Alto Medical Foundation and column editor Arian Dasmalchi provide this monthly column.

Wine Appreciation

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“I’m no wine connoisseur, but I know what I like.” I cannot tell you how often I’ve heard that. I’ve been tempted to respond, “I believe you, but what do you like, and can you tell me why you like it?” Thank goodness, I’ve resisted that temptation, otherwise I’d be a very lonely guy. Wine drinkers, all of us, know what we like, but for the most part, we find it difficult to articulate.

Part of the reason, I believe, is that we simply don’t focus our attention on the details of what’s in the stemware. It’s like other aspects of our lives. How about that picture hanging over the fireplace? In detail, what is it that you like about it? The same can be said of music. Is it strictly in the background, sliding by your consciousness? Or are you paying attention and heard that waffling sound of the fifty-cent piece that the drummer spun gently on the drum? It’s definitely in the details, but wouldn’t we be more confident if we could articulate them?

Another reason for our inability to define our preferences, I believe, lies in the intimidating, sometimes off-putting, metaphorical vocabulary of winespeak; those descriptors that wine tasters and reviewers use that sound like they belong in a physiology class (legs, body), or a chemistry seminar (acidity, tannins, balance), or horticultural meeting (floral, herbaceous). No question those wine basics have to be learned. However, when the metaphors go to lofty extremes…

What if I can’t perceive, for example, that a Super Tuscan has the gentle fragrance of the “forest floor?” Or that a red from Provence evokes “garrigue” (that aromatic melange of herbs and shrubs that grow wild in the countryside)? Or that Bordeaux smells faintly of cassis, cedar, and tobacco? I don’t remember the last time I got on my knees and sniffed the undergrowth at Muir Woods. And a spice jar of Herbs de Provence might give me a hint of that red from Provence, but I doubt it. Cedar blocks are in my closet, but they don’t recall the aroma of wine for me.

Lastly, our palates are like fingerprints; everyone is different. What you perceive is not what I perceive. I’ve been to large group tastings, and the perceptions and descriptors vary widely. But that shouldn’t inhibit you from expressing your own opinion. One man’s “forest floor,” may be another man’s “mulch pile,” while an expert’s “garrigue” may be the beginners “weedy.” And “cassis”, well, blackberry preserves sounds pretty good to me. So, here’s a thought. Focus your attention, don’t be afraid to speak your mind, and have faith in your own palate. As one English wine writer says it, “Think while you drink.”

– Tom Barras

On My Soapbox

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Hope everyone made it through our rainy Holiday Season without too many problems. I wasn’t sure any of us would make it! It has been many years since I have the seen the lagoon water so high. Which brings up – again – people dumping oil into the water. When I went out to check on how high it was getting I had many oil puddles between my dock and the shoreline. As I have previously mentioned this, I am repeating myself in the event this is being done by ‘new residents’. Do not pour anything down the drains you see in the streets unless you are positive they go into another drain- not directly into the water. And also, not over your deck railing if you live ‘on the water’. But if you do end up with the oil puddles sprinkle some Dawn dishwashing liquid into them and then watch them literally disappear.

Again most of most of the calls were about the “speeders” – even with the rain! That really surprised me as I thought most would slow down, but evidently it didn’t make any difference. And the number of those driving with their wipers on BUT NO HEADLIGHTS. Most of December it was quite dark by 5 to 5:30 in the evening, and still no headlights on. What really bothers me is that it appears these drivers just don’t care, and this was the feeling the callers had. Also it seems that many had the same problems I did when it came to the dual exit and entry lanes. No one was paying attention to which lane they were in, so when they saw a green light they just went. I was almost hit several times at the exit from Whipple to northbound 101. One car that cut me off turned onto the east bound Holly/Redwood Shores Parkway, and as I was going to Nob Hill I stayed behind him. When he also turned in there and parked I asked him why he went through the red light on his side. His response was that he never paid attention to which side he was on, he just went whenever he saw a green. I told him I hoped he had a good insurance company because he would most likely be needing them if he kept that up.

And lastly, a number of the calls were asking to remind you who walk your dogs to please obey the laws here in Redwood City about taking their “leavings” with you NOT just leaving them where the dog put them. Should a Police Officer observe you ignoring any leavings, he can give you a ticket. With all this rain I am presuming it is not necessary to carry any water with you for your female dog’s piddle. In dry weather the female urine will kill the lawn in the spot she went, which is why the water helps to dilute it.

The balance of the calls were to ask two things: please obey our speed limits and to get in the habit of using your signal lights. Truly, there is nothing more irritating than not knowing if the car coming toward you is going turn in front of you or if the one ahead of you is going to turn. Also the one that got the most calls was about drivers that evidently keep one foot resting on the brake pedal. In the event you are unsure – the slightest touch keeps your brake lights on and anyone behind you has no way of knowing just what you will be doing next!

Have a good one and do drive with care – not only for yourself but all the others also out there!

See you next month and if we continue with this awful weather – please be careful.


— Pat Dixon, the Swan Lady

(Note that Pat’s phone number for calls to contribute to “On My Soapbox” are usually included in The Pilot; the number has been omitted from the website version of this article. You can send a message to Pat by emailing  with the words “For Swan Lady” in the subject line. )

President’s Message: January 2011

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Some Notable Shores Residents

I’ve written many times about different events and meetings sponsored by RSCA as part of our mission to enhance the quality of life in the Redwood Shores. This month, I’m writing about two longtime RSCA Board Members, Pete Hughes and Pat Dixon, who work behind the scenes to make our mission a success. We all owe Pete and Pat many thanks for their years of community service, to which I can’t do justice in this small space.

Pete Hughes. If you enjoy walking or exercising on our pristine levees; or if you attend RSCA’s annual meeting to learn essential information from and question our local officials, you have Pete Hughes to thank. Pete is a longtime Redwood Shores resident with his wife Ginny, and a former successful business owner in Redwood City. Pete’s civic devotion and commitment to the community is truly exceptional. As an RSCA Board member, Pete conceived of and has managed almost single-handedly RSCA’s annual levee clean-up, where scores of community volunteers pick up trash on all of our levees and public areas. Pete is also a regular volunteer at other RSCA events, such as our annual Eggstravaganza and Halloween Walk in Marlin Park, and was the Shores rep to the Shores GID committee. Outside of RSCA, Pete has donated countless hours to the Peninsula Celebration Association, the Police Activities League and Casa de Redwood Senior Housing. He has also served the children and taxpayers of the Shores as a volunteer on New Shores School Advisory Committee and the Measure C Oversight Committee.

Pat Dixon. For many years, Pat has been the resource in the Shores for information on all doings in Redwood City and neighboring cities that have an impact on Redwood Shores, especially in relation to public safety and our infrastructure (e.g., road projects, public transportation, building projects, seniors’ issues, etc.). Pat has kept on top of these issues by attending many public meetings each week, all over the Peninsula. She also has frequent conversations with government officials who work on these issues and knows who to call to get things done, which has been a big help to RSCA and the Shores. You can also thank Pat for the messages you read on the RSCA sign boards on Redwood Shores and Marlin Parkways – she has posted these notices (different ones each week) for years, rain or shine. Pat is also passionate about our local wildlife and is known as the Swan Lady for her concern for and care of our resident Swans that live in the Davit Lagoon. Pat writes a regular Pilot column, On my Soapbox, where she provides information, advice, and her opinions on a wide range of topics.

Annual Meeting

Save the date for RSCA’s annual meeting, which will be held at the Redwood Shores Branch Library at 7:00 pm on February 9, 2011. Come to hear updates from our public officials on issues that matter to the Shores.

RSCA and RSOA

Many of you probably wonder how these two similarly-named organizations differ, and what their primary roles are in the Shores. In the interest of helping you sort this out, Carole Wong, President of RSOA, and I have prepared a table presenting a side-by-side comparison of RSCA and RSOA. You can review the table as well as a map showing geographic coverage of the two organizations, and list of local homeowner associations within respective jurisdictional areas on our respective web sites, www.RSCA.org and www.RSOA.info.

— Doug Crisman , RSCA President

Pet Obesity

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The holidays are over…I’m sure many of you made resolutions for the New Year to lose some weight. I won’t ask you if you’re sticking to your resolution, but what about your animals? Do they need to lose some weight? Are you aware of the diseases and medical conditions that an overweight pet are susceptible to?

According to the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention’s website, slightly more than 51% of dogs and cats are overweight or obese. Risks of pet obesity include osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer and heart disease to name a few.

As consumers, we are subjected to the ads for the latest and greatest pet foods and pet treats on a daily basis. For some animals, even one treat a day can pack on those extra pounds! Now, I’m not bashing treats, there are some very good ones out there, but before you purchase another bag of treats stop and look at the ingredients! I recently came across a list of calorie counts for some of the more common dog treats. While not every treat had a high calorie count, I found some that were over 300 calories! Wow! If you give Fido one of those heavy calorie treats every day, the pounds will start showing before you know it.

So, what’s a person to do? Maybe it’s time to start increasing the number and length of Fido’s walks! I am not talking about a “stop and smell the roses” type of walk, but a walk where Fido is really moving!

If Fido isn’t used to power walking I suggest you start off gradually at first. The first 5 minutes could be the “stop and smell the roses” part of the walk, then do a 5 or 10 minute walk at a brisk pace, then slow the pace down. Over the next few days and weeks increase the length of time of the power walks. Hey, you might be surprised to find it’s helping you keep that New Year resolution as well!

Of course, any weight loss plan should be discussed with your vet first! And, always check with your vet, to rule out any medical conditions your dog may have that would make a power walk inappropriate.

— Jan Brown
— Jan is the Owner of Jan’s Pet Sitting & a Pet Tech Pet First Aid Instructor. She can be reached at 

Pain in the Drain

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Redwood City and the Bay Area Pollution Prevention Group (a committee of Bay Area Clean Water Agencies) are putting the word out that during the holidays, you can help avoid drain and sewage backups in the home – do NOT put cooking oil or grease down the drain, and you’ll Avoid Pain in the Drain!

Cooking fats, oil, and grease will block drains and sewers, causing backups and possibly costly drain cleaning. So don’t put them down the drain! Prevent raw sewage backups into your home, your streets, and the Bay.

Did you know you can recycle large quantities of turkey fryer oil and cooking grease? To find a recycle location go to www.baywise.org.

Here are tips for properly handling your cooking oil and fat and grease during the holidays – and year ‘round:

  • Never pour fats, oil, or grease down drains, even if you have a garbage disposal.
  • Pour cooking oil and grease into a sealable container with an absorbent such as paper garbage and discard with your other garbage.
  • Recycle large amounts of grease or cooking oil (including from deep fryers) at Bay Area grease recycling locations (see www.baywise.org).
  • Use food strainers in kitchen sinks to catch food particles and scrape leftover food waste into the garbage or compost container instead of the garbage disposal.

Thanks for helping to Avoid Pain in the Drain!

Just a thought…

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It’s yet another typical, awesome day in the Shores. Looking at the view from my townhouse I notice two men, wearing relaxed clothing – much like one would attending a friendly party holding clipboards filled with paperwork. I immediately figure they are selling something or conducting a survey so I prepare for them to stop by the house. However, the men seemed to be selective and did not stop to talk to me. I saw them veer left to continue through a green belt area, still on foot, no vehicle in site.

I had almost forgotten about the men until I took my dogs out for a walk and ended up following them around the complex. At this point, the investigation was on – the dogs were alert and I had my walking shoes on. In passing, I was able to get close enough to hear a neighbor speak to the men. They ‘appeared’ to be offering Comcast services. As they made their sales pitch, I heard my neighbor respond, but it’s what he said that concerned me enough to share with all of you.

In a polite attempt to get the salesmen to move along, my neighbor told them that he is, “just about to leave on a trip, his bags are packed he is ready to go”. The salesman asks my neighbor when he’ll be returning and my neighbor simply replies that he’ll, “be back on Tuesday”.

I hope my neighbors’ statements spark your attention or at the very least get most of you wondering why anyone would tell a stranger when they will not be in their home. Even if one is caught trying to avoid solicitors, a statement of such kind would never be safe

We all must be observant to our surroundings and never assume strangers approaching our homes have completely honest and sincere reasons for making contact with us. We must also warn and share this type of an interaction with our fellow neighbors. These men could have been legitimate contracted employees of Comcast; but we all need to be cautious and err on the side of requesting validation before discussing business with any company.

The safety of our neighbors is all of our responsibilities. There is no special training required, no special talents needed and it really isn’t anything complex; we all just need to pay some attention to our surroundings and stay aware. Harboring care and concern for your neighborhood is healthy and wise.

If anyone could pose as a salesman, how many other ways could a stranger be so visible that we tend to overlook them in our own front yard? Just a thought . . .

— Rick Gutierrez
— Redwood Shores resident

From Lynn’s Kitchen

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HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Wow! Can you believe that it is 2011 already? It seems as though the Christmas Holiday Season came galloping along at a fast pace right after Thanksgiving this year, with all of the frenzied activities – shopping, parties, decorating, more shopping and more parties. We hope that you all enjoyed the festivities, and got to spend time with your families and friends.

I welcome January as a month of reflection and planning for the year ahead. Some much needed rest and recuperation from those nasty December colds and sniffles means you can be a little lazy – settle back and read that novel you had been trying to finish, or catch one of the many movie releases now vying for an Oscar or other awards. If you are working on your New Year’s Resolutions, keep them to only three major items and you’ll have more success in attaining those goals.

Connecticut is in the midst of a small blizzard as I write this, and we Californians are all trying to dry out from the recent rains. What better day than to make Chicken Tortilla Soup, especially since we just roasted a Mary’s Organic chicken and have left-over chicken just waiting for a chance to reinvent itself!

I made fresh chicken stock, but if you want a quicker and easier approach, just use canned low sodium / low fat Chicken Broth for this recipe.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

(Makes Six Servings)

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Large Sweet Yellow Onion – rough chopped into small pieces
  • 3 Cloves Garlic, chopped finely
  • 3 Jalapeno Peppers, seeded and deveined, chopped finely
  • 2 Cups Tomatoes, peeled, seeded and rough chopped (about 4 medium fresh tomatoes)
  • 6 Cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 Cups Shredded Chicken (thighs and breasts are best)
  • ½ Teaspoon Ground Cumin
  • Salt &Freshly Group Pepper to taste
  • 1 15 oz. can Black Beans, drained and rinsed well
  • 1 Cup Yellow Corn (fresh is best, cut from the cob, but good frozen corn works well instead)
  • ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro

Pour olive oil into large stock pot or Dutch oven. Add chopped onions, garlic and jalapeno peppers. Heat over medium heat, stirring until lightly browned and the onions become translucent. Add the tomatoes, and continue to cook over medium heat for about 15 minute, until the tomatoes are cooked through. Add chicken stock, shredded chicken, cumin, salt and pepper and continue to cook over medium low heat for another 15 minutes. Add black beans and corn, stir, and continue to cook for another 10 minutes. Add the chopped cilantro, stir and remove from heat.

GARNISH

  • Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • Limes – sliced into wedges
  • Avocado – sliced
  • Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
  • Corn Tortillas – sliced into strips and fried in canola oil until lightly browned and crispy. Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with a little salt and set aside.

Serve soup in a large bowl, and garnish with avocado slices, a little grated Monterey Jack cheese, tortilla strips, and a sprig of cilantro. Squeeze lime wedge over soup, and enjoy!

— Lynn Kathleen Adams
— RSCA Board Member since 1994

Disaster Preparedness Tips for January

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WATER: Following a disaster our water supply could be shut off. Are you prepared?

YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE GALLON PER PERSON PER DAY, MINIMUM. FEMA RECOMMENDS A THREE DAY SUPPLY.

Make sure water is stored in the proper containers, away from sunlight and contaminates, and in as spill-proof a location as possible. Use opaque, not clear, containers. Store on the floor, not on a shelf

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET WATER FROM THE TOILET TANK. (only if not treated chemically – blue tank water, “2000 Flushes”, etc.).

You may need to filter for glass particles or purify when water is obtained from those sources. DO NOT DEPEND ON THIS WATER SOURCE! Never use water from the toilet bowl and do not use from the tank if toilet has been flushed after the quake (broken sewer lines may have contaminated the water).

YOU MAY ALSO USE CANNED OR “BOXED” JUICES AND THE LIQUID FROM CANNED GOODS AS AN ALTERNATE SOURCE FOR VARIATION.

YOU MAY BE ABLE TO GET WATER FROM YOUR WATER PIPES. Turn off the water supply to your house. Open the faucets of your second story bath. Then open a downstairs faucet with a collecting pail beneath it.

USE MELTED ICE FROM THE FREEZER. it’s another small but usable source..

COLLECT RAIN WATER IN CLEAN CONTAINERS AFTER A QUAKE. Dirty containers can be lined with clean plastic bags, when needed.

CONSERVE, CONSERVE, CONSERVE! Use water only for drinking, washing hands and cooking after the quake.

BUY A WATER FILTRATIONIPURIFYING SYSTEM AND/OR TABLETS. You can find out about these at most full-line camping supply retailers (REI, Redwood Trading Post…)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

  • DON’T FORGET FOOD AND WATER FOR PETS. Pets may consume large quantities of water when under stress, so make sure you’ve included water supplies for them. Keeping an extra bag of dry food will take care of the pet’s short term nutritional needs and is easy to store for most pets.
  • MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER!! There is a good chance that more than a three day supply will be needed if freeway overpasses collapse, blocking access roads, or if neighbors are not prepared or their supply is destroyed.
  • KEEP BACKPACKS AROUND TO CARRY FOOD IN, should we need to hike out of the area.

—  Mike Mancusi