Ringo the Tabby Saves His Family A NOSE FOR TROUBLE
Ray and Carol Steiner found Ringo, a red tabby Manx, living in a shed when he was 10 days old. Despite already having three cats, the couple decided to open their hearts to the friendly feline — a decision that would one day save their lives.
door. Carol let him dart outside, but the moment she closed the door, Ringo began to aggressively meow again. This was unusual behavior, and Carol realized Ringo wanted her to follow him. The red tabby brought Carol around to the side of the house, where large bushes hid the air conditioner and gas and water meters. Ringo started to dig in the jagged lava-rock landscaping, cutting his paws on the sharp stones. When Carol leaned over to get a better look, she was nearly overwhelmed by the smell of natural gas. The gas company discovered an old steel coupler had broken open, leaking dangerous levels of gas into the Steiners’ house. A single spark outdoors could have set off an explosion that would have consumed six other houses, potentially killing 22 people. Ray and Carol’s doctor told them that even if they avoided an explosion, they would have died from methane poisoning if they’d been exposed much longer. The gas meter did not register the leak, but Ringo did. Once they aired out their home, the Steiners’ health improved immensely. Because of his dedication to his family, Ringo became the 11th cat in history to be awarded the American Humane Association’s national William O. Stillman Award for bravery.
Years after adopting Ringo, Ray and Carol began to oversleep and experience high blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches. The couple attributed these troubling symptoms to their recent health problems — Ray had just undergone heart surgery, and Carol was recovering from a car accident with her leg in a cast. But Ringo realized something was amiss.
One blistering day in August, the usually mellow cat caused a ruckus. He meowed loudly and banged his body against the front
Are you tired? Do you feel lethargic all day, no matter how many hours of sleep you get? Do you snore, or has your partner complained about snoring? Do you struggle to breathe at night or wake up gasping for air? All of these symptoms and more point to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a medical condition that affects over 25 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. OSA occurs when the airway becomes blocked or obstructed, cutting down on the airflow — or stifling it completely. There are a lot of reasons why OSA may become a problem in your life. Researchers suspect there may be genetic and hormonal components. We also know that people who snore, have high blood pressure, or struggle with their weight are at risk. It’s Time to Rest Easy
DON ’ T L E T S L E EP APNEA TAKE OVER YOUR L I F E
in a certified sleep lab, if necessary. After we have your results, Dr. Butchert will discuss them with you. He’ll help you determine whether you’re at risk for obstructive sleep apnea or if you’re already suffering from the condition. From there, we can help you determine your best next step. OSA is treated in a number of ways. A CPAP machine is the most common treatment. You use the machine when you sleep; it makes breathing much easier by keeping the airway open. Mouthpieces, lifestyle changes, and other treatments may also be on the table. Each case is unique. Expect to receive a custom plan tailored to your needs.
If you’re living with the symptoms of OSA, don’t deal with the discomfort and risk any longer. Give us a call today and we’ll help you rest easy.
If this sounds like you, Dr. Butchert can help. We’ll have you answer some questions online and perhaps complete some easy sleep testing at home or
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