For sweet dreams
By KURT BEGALKA

Ron Hosman is overcome by emotion as he talks about the death of his son. But he wills himself to relive it -- fighting through the tears -- so that sleep apnea will not claim another unsuspecting victim.

“I think a lot of people are unaware of what it is. It is insidious,” Hosman said. “If it can kill a 37-year-old who was in good health and do it in one night, it can kill anybody.”

John Hosman, father of two and resident of Chicago’s south side Beverly neighborhood, died Sept. 27 from respiratory arrest after he went downstairs to quiet a whimpering puppy and fell asleep. His wife found him dead a few hours later on the family room floor.

Ron Hosman was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2003, after he found it increasingly difficult to stay awake after fitful bouts of sleep. And when he did drift off, Ron would snore loudly and periodically gasp for breath.

“When we were kids, he used to fall asleep on the couch and snore so loud we would laugh. My one friend used to call him ‘Papa Bear,’” said Ron’s daughter, Judi Torrez of Lake in the Hills. “Of course, now we know he had sleep apnea.”

The National Sleep Foundation in Washington, D.C. says pauses in breath can last 10 to 30 seconds, and in serious cases, can occur up to 400 times a night. More than 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea. Especially at risk are middle-aged, overweight men.

Sleep apnea is caused by the soft tissues at the back of the throat relaxing to the point that they obstruct or close off the airway. After 10 to 30 seconds, the brain is alerted and the sleeper awakens briefly, the muscles tense and the airway re-opens. The cycle then starts all over as he falls back to sleep. The health effects build over time.

According to the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research, up to half of sleep apnea patients have high blood pressure �“ putting them at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Mary Lutz, clinical coordinator at the Northwest Sleep Center in Elgin, estimated that that clinic treats about 1,000 people a year. The majority are reluctant patients.

“Once they admit there is something wrong, it’s not too hard to get them in,” Lutz said. “But because you are sleeping when this is all going on, denial is our greatest enemy.”

In an effort to ease the financial strain on John Hosman’s family and raise awareness about sleep apnea, the family is hosting a John Hosman Memorial Benefit 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday at 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St. in Merrionette Park.

The family is seeking food and beverage donations along with merchandise to be auctioned or raffled off for the benefit. Cash donations also are being accepted in care of the “John Hosman Memorial Fund” at any LaSalle Bank. For information, contact Germaine Hosman at (847) 515-8566 or at hos1@juno.com.

“I want people to be aware of sleep apnea so it doesn’t happen to them,” Ron Hosman said. “If this helps save one person, then his death will have some meaning.”