Today's Woman - Feb. 2013

February 2013

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

NoraCar� nterTODAY’S WOMAN

CELEBRATES A DOZEN ISSUES

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3Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | Today’s Woman

CONTENTS

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ADVICEFAMILY: Raising daughters in today’s world 4MONEY MATTERS: Charitable gifts, deductions — What you need to know 9RELATIONSHIPS: Romance requires effort 9

TRENDSGuILTY PLEASuRES 5FASHION: A fresh look for spring 8THINGS TO KNOW: The dirty dozen 10BEAuTY: Big night out? 11FOOD: Edible art 14

FEATURECOVER STORY: Make a difference: Nora Carpenter dedicates life to nonprofit work 6

HEALTHSLEEP: Cutting Zs slicing away your blissful slumber? 12

Today’s WomanWe hope you enjoy the twelfth edition of To-day’s Woman. This quarterly magazine pays tribute to women and all that we do. Send your comments to [email protected] us on the web at idahopress.com/special_sections/todayswoman for more stories, ideas and photos.

Follow us at:Facebook.com/todayswomantreasurevalleyPinterest.com/todayswomanipt

To advertise: Angela Sammons at 465-8136For story ideas: Vickie Holbrook at 465-8110For copies to display at your business: Shelley Thayer at 465-8185

Today’s Woman is a product of the Idaho Press-Tribune, 1618 N. Midland Blvd., Nampa, ID. Copyright 2012.

We, the women of the Today’s Woman staff, prom-ise that this magazine will:

Foster conversations among local women.Celebrate local “she” power.Embrace community.Ignite, empower and liberate women.Delight in “she” things.And yes, even have a rip-roaring good time!

Today’s Woman staffJordan Gray, editor Vickie Schaffeld Holbrook, contributorAngela Sammons, retail ad managerRandy Lavorante, news and designer editorGreg Kreller, multimedia editor

Holly Beech, writerCharlotte Wiemerslage, writerTorrie Cope, writerKaty Jacobs-Howard, designerJenessa Farnsworth, designerDebbie Fleischer, multimedia consultantKaren Draper, multimedia consultantAmanda Weaver, sales and writerShelley Thayer, customer service managerAaric Bryan, photographer

Other contributorsMachele Hamilton, columnistJennifer Deroin, columnistMichelle Cork, writerTiffany Cruickshank, writer

Today’s Woman | Wednesday, February 27, 20134

FamilyADVICE

Raising daughters in today’s worldT

o most women, there is no greater joy than raising children. From the moment you hold that wrinkled, red-faced infant until decades later when you witness

wedding vows, your mind, spirit and body will be consumed with the task.

Parenting today brings challenges no one would have imagined just a generation ago. Technology alone has cre-ated parental problems that cannot be ignored, and if you are raising a daughter, those challenges become magnified.

Young girls have become an entire industry. From fashion to entertainment, it has been discovered that they have a huge economic impact on our world. But how can a preteen or teen, not old enough to do anything, make any difference whatsoever? Through parental pressure, of course. They may not have any money of their own, but they definitely know how to pull the parental purse strings. And, in turn, busi-nesses have learned to aim directly, manipulating young girls with their advertising.

Add in the sexualization of our nation, and we are left with the overwhelming desire to simply lock our daughters

away until all the fuss has passed. I mean, if you keep them locked in their room until they are 25, who cares when they start wearing makeup or shave their legs? And I am sure most of you have used that threat before.

The reality is we have to navigate these foreign waters and. since everybody is in the same boat, we can feel like we have no direction. The cry “but everyone is doing it” or “you don’t understand” will become the household mantra, and stomp-ing feet and slamming doors the soundtrack of our homes.

As women, we all remember what it was like when we were young. We know how much our daughters want to fit in, or how mean the mean girls can really be. While no one wants their daughter to feel left out or picked on, giving them value and self-worth will help trump the popularity contests. There is a fine line between fitting in and jeopar-dizing their character or compromising your morals.

The old-fashioned way is still the best. Be involved in their life, know their friends, keep track of their activi-ties and monitor their phones and computers. They have plenty of friends — don’t be another, be a parent. Kids say

again and again that they may act like they don’t want any boundaries, but in reality they do. They want you to care.

Nobody said raising kids was going to be easy. They don’t give you a manual and there is no license or certificate to earn. You have to learn it as you go, and often it is through trial and error. You have to parent even when you are tired, discipline when you want to laugh, hug when you want to scream and stay strong in the belief that you are doing the right thing.

Take heart that no matter how many hormones are flow-ing, how many tears, or how often “I hate you” is thrown, they will grow out of it. Standing firm in your belief that a 10-year-old should be a 10-year-old — and not a 16-year-old — will only give you both a stronger relationship in the future. You are their No. 1 weapon against our world. Don’t give up, and remember that you are not alone.

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Machele haMilton

Machele Hamilton writes a column about painting and home

improvement. It is published twice a month on Mondays. She also writes a blog, “Don’t Get Me

Started,” at idahopress.com.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | Today’s Woman 5

Guilty PleasuresTRENDS

Digital photo frameDilemma: You’ve got one photo frame and you can’t decide

between that perfect family portrait and that amazing snapshot you took on your last vacation. Solution: Try a digital photo frame! Frames vary in size, color and storage capacity. Depending on file sizes, 1GB of memory should hold about 250 photos for you to admire in a slideshow of great memories.

Press-on nailsIf you’ve ever been on Pinterest or wandered by a nail salon’s

windows, you’ve probably admired some amazing nail art. But if your artistic skills are relegated to the realm of stick figures, there is hope. Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips (Retail $9) are a fun way to bring some no-mess glamour to your manicure. Today’s Woman staffer Torrie Cope enjoys the designs with glitter.

TassimoWe love caffeine. A lot. Today’s Woman staffer Amanda

Weaver swears by her Tassimo brewer when it comes to making everything from coffees, cappuccinos and lattes to iced coffees and mochas. The single-serve T Discs have barcodes that tell the brewer the perfect tempera-ture, water amount and brew time to create your morning (or afternoon or evening) fix.

Dirty chai tea latteUsually when a food item has the word “dirty” in the title,

you’ll want to start looking for a health code rating. The “dirty” in this case, though, comes from the shot of espresso added to the drink. Today’s Woman staffer Holly Beech is a big fan. (Find more “dirty” items in our Dirty Dozen feature.)

Dangly earringsThere’s a lot of choices when it

comes to earrings. You can go with teeny-tiny studs to gigantic hoops or something in the middle. Right now, we’re big fans of dangly ear-rings. Stylish and classy, these bits of jewelry can add some easy flair to your wardrobe.

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6

Make a difference

COVER STORY

Nora Carpenter dedicates life to nonprofit work

By JORDAN GRAYToday’s Woman

N

ora Carpenter had a sweet introduction to a life of volunteerism and nonpro� t work. Growing up with an energetic family dedicated to being active in the

community, she sold brightly colored cotton candy at rodeos to help support various organizations. � at taste of helping out was in addition to numerous other volunteer and com-munity activities where she learned some of the principles and skills that guide her today.

“One of the things that strikes me is how much I return to the culture of Canyon County, and credit the culture of Canyon County, at least at the time I was growing up, for really helping me forge who I am today,” Carpenter said.

Today, the 51-year-old Caldwell native is the president and CEO of United Way of Treasure Valley — an organi-zation devoted to advancing the common good by focusing on education, income and health. Despite her continued volunteer activities as she grew up, Carpenter’s original career ambitions did not include the nonpro� t � eld.

“I came out of college, like most kids coming out of col-lege, thinking that I was going to set the world on � re with a career in, in my case, marketing and business. (I) spent a few years actually in that arena and found myself continually drawn back to community work in some form or fashion.”

Some form or fashion meant serving on community boards of directors and volunteering her time and resources to the extent that she could.

� e University of Idaho graduate said she realized one day that there were a lot of opportunities at the executive

“One of the things that strikes me is how much I return to the culture of Canyon County, and credit the culture of Canyon County, at least at the time I was growing up, for really helping me forge who I am today.”

— Nora Carpenter

TODAY’S WOMAN | Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Photo by Greg Kreller/IW

7Wednesday, February 27, 2013 | TODAY’S WOMAN

level in nonpro� ts. She sent out her resume to several organizations and the Better Busi-ness Bureau hired her. � rough that job, she assisted businesses and nonpro� ts in growing their skill sets.

By being what she described as “kind of a pain” and putting her money where her mouth is, Carpenter earned a job as a senior vice president for the Council of Better Business Bureaus. She spent four years in the position, commuting between the Treasure Valley and Washington, D.C. During that time she testi� ed on Capitol Hill, consulted with then-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, sat in on White House brie� ngs and attended President Barack Obama’s � rst Inauguration.

Carpenter hasn’t neglected her family life while she’s helped others and traveled across the country. She celebrated her 24th wedding anniversary to “local boy” Jim Car-penter Feb. 18. Together, the “rabid outdoors people” care for their two dogs, Scout and Spike. � ey also employ themselves, as Car-penter described, as “the world’s best aunt and uncle” to numerous nieces and nephews.

By and large though, she focuses on serving others and encouraging others to do the same.

“I think some of the real value of being in the nonpro� t community or choosing a career in the nonpro� t community, whether you’re a leader or not, is the fact that you really have the privilege of getting up and knowing whatever it is you do all day long made somebody else’s life better.”

Carpenter said one of the great joys of her life has been seeing the impact her work and volunteer e� orts have on the people around her. She said one stellar example of that came when she was heading the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho.

“One of the Big Sisters came up to me and she gave me just this remarkable hug,” Carpenter said. “She kind of nudged her Little Sister and said ‘Tell her, tell her.’ And

the Little Sister said to me, ‘� ank you for the gift of my Big Sister.’ And just a state-ment that that’s simple was just incredibly impactful.”

Again and again, Carpenter has turned to her roots and her hometown for support.

“What makes the fabric of the Treasure Valley great is that people are not afraid to help each other. And if we lose that, we lose a lot. Our communities just cannot be as robust as they need to be without volunteers.”

To maintain that vitality, Carpenter sug-gests that everyone get involved.

“I would strongly encourage anyone of any age — students to retired folks — and of any ability to know that there’s a volun-teer opportunity there for you.”

7

Top: Jim and Nora Carpenter on a snowmobile trip in the Targhee National Forest. “We are Idaho enthusiasts and try to explore as much of the state as possible,” Carpenter said.

Bottom: Nora Carpenter with her two dogs, Spike and Scout, at the North Beach of Payette Lake in McCall.

Nora Carpenter

Age: 51Title: President and CEO, United Way of

Treasure ValleyHometown: CaldwellBest advice ever received: “Tell the

truth.”Family: Jim Carpenter, husband of 24

years; lots of extended familyPets: Scout, fox terrier; Spike, a mutt

Carpenter described as a “dachseraniug”On nonprofi ts: “For every dollar you need,

there’s an opportunity to meet someone or meet an organization that has the same inter-ests, and create and collaborate. For every challenge, there’s always an opportunity.”

“I would strongly encour-age anyone of any age — students to retired folks — and of any ability to know that there’s a volunteer opportunity there for you.”

8 TODAY’S WOMAN | Wednesday, February 27, 2013

“Emerald green will be a top color for 2013. We’ll probably see a lot of this vibrant green begin-ning in March, but why wait?”

— Ruth Story, owner of

Story & Company

TRENDS

By TORRIE COPEToday’s Woman

A

fter a particularly chilly and dreary winter, inviting warm spring days and a fresh wardrobe sound especially nice right about now.

Two local upscale consignment stores — Caldwell’s Story and Company and Nampa’s Call Me Beautiful Boutique — put together some pieces that make a seamless transition from winter to spring.

Story and Company owner Ruth Story, along with store man-ager Jennifer Bowman, styled a casual denim out� t with simple black � ats and a pop of a big trendy color for spring — green.

� ey used a jacket and tall boots to keep the chill o� an airy spring dress, modeled by Bowman, perfect for when the tempera-tures aren’t that toasty yet.

Story and Company has been in Caldwell for more than four years. Story said when the store � rst opened, people were afraid

that the clothes were too expensive. Now she has regular customers and her business continues to grow.

“When you get to know your customers as well as I know mine, you can be their personal shopper. Story and Company patrons love that,” she said.

Call Me Beautiful’s Jennifer Seip and Anne Hardy styled model Mattelyn Harke.Harke also modeled a classic black-and-white dress with

peep toes that can be worn with a sweater or jacket while the thermometer still says winter.

In October 2012, but Seip and Hardy are working to de-velop their inventory and give customers what they want.

“Our plan for this coming spring is to stay in touch with the current fashions so that our customers can stay current with the latest styles,” Hardy said.

Call Me Beautiful Boutique1305 2nd St. S., Nampa318-3390Dress $25Shoes $20Belt $10Necklace $20Bracelet $20

Story and Company724 Arthur St., Caldwell, 454-6515Green purse $34.95Pants already in wardrobeGreen scarf $14.95Green shirt $8.95Denim jacket $14.95

Story and Company724 Arthur St., Caldwell454-6515Dress already in wardrobeBlack jacket $11.95Boots $18Bracelet $14.95Black purse $48

Photos by Greg Kreller/TW

ADVICE

Charitable gifts, deductions — What you need to know


I t’s likely that you helped a local nonpro� t this past year with some donated canned goods, coins dropped in a red bucket, volunteered time, or

with a contribution. Idahoans are a generous lot. We ranked No. 2 nationally regarding volunteerism hours in the annual “Volunteering and Civic Life in America” report. If you made a monetary gift to a charity, there are some � nancial bene� ts beyond the emotional ful� llment of your generosity — a tax deduction for your contribu-tion.

Tax season is coming upon us (April 15 for individu-als) and to ensure your donation is tax deductible, you’ll want to have your documentation in order. To claim a charitable donation on your tax form, the IRS requires you to do the following:

• Must have a bank record or written communication from a charity for any monetary contribution showing the name of the charity, the date of the contribution and

the amount. • A written acknowledgement

from the charity for any single donation of $250 or more includ-ing the name of the charity, amount, description (if non-cash) and the following statement: “No goods or services were provided by the organization in return for this contribution.” � e receipt must be received and dated prior to the � ling date of the tax return.

• If you receive goods or services in exchange for your donation — such as at a charity auction event — the charity needs to inform you as to what portion of the contribution is deductible (some small dollar excep-tions do apply).

Example of Silent Auction Item: Bid Amount $250 Item’s Value $ 50 Tax-Deductible Portion $200• Don’t forget that mileage driven in service of a chari-

table organization for 2012 is $0.14 per mile driven. � at rate stays the same for 2013.

How do these deductions bene� t you in dollars? Here’s an example to explain how it would impact your

itemized federal tax return. Your Total Annual Contributions: $500 Your Federal Income Tax Bracket: 28% 500 x .28 = 140You will save $140 on your tax bill or that amount will

be added to your refund if you receive one.Contrary to popular belief, tax deductions are not the

No. 1 reason people give a charitable gift. According to Larry Johnson, author of “� e Eight Principles of Sustainable Fun-draising,” the No. 1 reason people give to a charity is because they were asked to by someone they care about.

Romance requires effort

W hat quali� es me as a romance expert? Not much! Married for almost fi ve years to my dear husband, who is most de� nitely not

romantically inclined, I can only be an expert in my own relationship. What works for some, may not work for others. However, romance does not happen in real life as it does in the movies – you have to make an e� ort.

Now that Valentine’s Day and the emphasis on love has passed, romance might take a backseat. What about the days, weeks and months following? Do we only put e� ort into showing our partner how much we love them one day per year? I surely hope not — and if you are in need of inspiration, here are � ve tips to keep the romance alive in 2013!

1. Schedule time together. Between work, family obligations, friends and hobbies, sometimes it is hard

to spend quality time together. Designate a “date night” and take turns planning dates.

2. Say “yes.” Oftentimes, people have di� ering

interests than their partners and when asked to join in their particular brand of fun, they say no. Instead, say “yes” and have a positive attitude about it. You never know, you might love it and your partner will love you for trying!

3. Show your appreciation for your partner — even the smallest things can be encouraging in your relationship.

4. Be spontaneous. Surprise your partner with a small gift or note letting them know you are thinking of them. Slipping their favorite snack in their luggage before a trip, or a note of encouragement before a big presenta-tion, can get big results!

5. Learn something new together — take lessons for cooking or dancing, or even tour your local community together. New activities and learning as a couple will bring you closer and may result in a new hobby.

Tiffany Cruickshank

Tiffany A. Cruickshank lives in Nyssa, Ore., with her husband Chad, and their chocolate lab, Roscoe. She is a University of Oregon graduate and earned her master’s from Eastern Oregon University. She handles marketing for a produce company in Eastern Oregon. Follow her blog at tiffanyinreallife.com

Questions? Comments? Email her: [email protected]

JENNIFER DEROINJennifer Deroin is director of Business Development,

The Nichols Accounting Group P.C.

10

Things to KnowTRENDS

By HOLLY BEECHToday’s Woman

I

n honor of this being the 12th edition

of Today’s Woman, we’ve put together

a “Dirty Dozen” list — things that are

spicy, sexy, muddy, messy and a little something

to help you clean up the messes in your life.

1. Dirty martini — Drinking out of martini glasses

makes me feel so sophisticated. Combine the following

ingredients in a mixing glass and pour over a glass of ice:

6 fl uid ounces vodka

1 dash dry vermouth

1 fl uid ounce brine from olive jar

4 stuffed green olives

Source: allrecipes.com

2. Dirty chai latte — Get a bigger boost from

your frothy pick-me-up drink by asking for shots of

espresso in your chai latte (it also helps even out the

sweetness).

3. “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights” (2004) — This

is my favorite movie to watch when I’m stuck at home

with the fl u. I get caught up in the moment — have

you seen these steamy dance moves? — and forget

all about how much my stomach hurts. (Plus, the lead

actor’s accent is adorable.)

4. Zumba — Work up a sweat while having some fun!

There are some sexy (and for me, complicated) moves

involved, but just let loose, laugh at your mistakes and

burn some calories. Classes are taught at the Nampa

Rec Center, Nampa Fit Studio, Xpressions Dance Acad-

emy, Idaho Athletic Club and Caldwell Family YMCA, or

you can fi nd routines on YouTube.

5. Lingerie — Sometimes we just need to buy a

new little something to liven up these dreary winter

months! According to TheLingerieAddict.com, the

lingerie trend right now is fresh and very wearable —

“a very casual, unfussy kind of luxury” — with fewer

frills, bows and ruffl es.

6. Mosaic pot — Get your hands dirty and get ready

for spring by making a mosaic pot. (Also, breaking

old dishes to use as tiles can be a fun way to relieve

stress.) Pick a design, grab some supplies, and a

few hours later, you’ll have colorful new decor. Fresh

Home Ideas lays out an eight-step guide at tinyurl.com/

aav2knj.

7. Nude’tude eye shadow — Nude’tude eye shadow

by theBalm comes with several neutral, “satiny-smooth”

shades so you can aim for a natural look or layer the

colors for a sexy night out. A pack of 12 shades goes

for about $36. Learn more: thebalm.com/makeup/

nudetude.htm.

8. Galoshes — The snow is so pretty when it falls,

but then it mingles on the ground with dirt all week and

we’re left with a brown slushy mess. Keep your feet dry

and warm with a cute pair of galoshes, found at most

local department stores.

9. Dry shampoo — If you’re like me and wash your

hair every other day to prevent dryness and split ends,

try dry shampoo on your off-days to keep your hairdo

looking fresh without using water. Several brands are

offered at Ulta for about $8.

10. Mud facial mask — We don’t even think it’s ironic

to smear goop all over our faces in order to clean our

skin. But hey, whatever works. The Mario Badescu skin

care line offers some great products for different skin

types (according to a local Ulta representative) in the

range of $18 to $25.

11. “Dirty” Potato Chips — Don’t hate me if you’re

craving potato chips after this. “Dirty” Potato Chips,

according to their website, are all-natural with no

preservatives and no hydrogenated oil. They contain no

wheat gluten and are kettle-cooked. Flavors include sea

salted, pesto & Parmesan, smoky chipotle and sweet

potato chips, and they have about 140 to 150 calories

per serving.

12. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser — And lastly, some-

thing to help you reverse life’s little messes: Mr. Clean

Magic Eraser. Use it to scrub dirt and marks off walls,

baseboards, fl oors, blinds and more. I’m sure we can

all relate to Mr. Clean when he tweeted, “If only I made

small messes.”

The Dirty DozenThese 12 items will spice up the final month of winter

STILL CONFUSED? Santana can walk you through it! Go to idahopress.com/multimedia for a video tutorial.

TRENDS


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BeautyBIG NIGHT OUT?

THE BRAIDED CHIGNON Artist: Santana Reyna, 22 Model: Chelcie Bethel, 21Prep: It helps to start with hair that has

some texture. Second-day hair is best, but curling naturally straight hair will also help.

Step 1: Take the section of hair from your temple to behind your ear and divide it into three sections. Begin a French braid by taking the front-most section and tucking it under the middle section (not over, as you would in most braids).

Step 2: French braid at a downward angle around the back of your head until you get

to just behind the opposite ear. Stop braiding and form a ponytail with the remaining hair. Secure with an elastic.

Step 3: Make a messy bun by taking pieces of hair from the ponytail and fasten-ing them against your head with bobby pins until all your hair has been secured. Mist with a shine spray.

Santana’s tip: Dress up the look by weaving a ribbon into your braid or adding jewels to the chignon. “I like doing hairstyles,” Santana explained, “(because) it’s fun and it’s something everyone can do.”

By CHARLOTTE WIEMERSLAGE • Today’s Woman For many couples, Valentine’s Day comes and goes and the only date night left for the

year is your anniversary. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Any weekend can be an occa-sion to dust o� your sequined clutch, get your Little Black Dress out of storage and choose style over comfort. We ventured over to the Milan Institute and asked students Santana Reyna and Chelcie Bethel to show us an easy, feminine look for a romantic night out.

Cutting Zs slicing away your blissful slumber?Sleep

HEALTH


By MICHELLE CORKFor Today’s Woman

D

o you or your partner snore - loudly? Have you stopped breathing during sleep? Are you over 50 or overweight?

� ese are all risk factors for a sleep disorder called Ob-structive Sleep Apnea. People with sleep apnea stop breath-ing for at least 10 seconds several times during the night.

“� ere are dozens, if not hundreds, of sleep disorders, but sleep apnea is the most common, along with insomnia,” said the medical director of Idaho Sleep Health, Dr. Mark Rasmus. Rasmus said more men than women are diag-nosed with sleep apnea, but the number of female patients increases after menopause.

According to Dr. Cary Jackson, who specializes in sleep disorders at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, patients with severe sleep apnea stop breathing for at least 10 seconds 30 times or more an hour. Even people with a mild case stop breathing � ve to 15 times each hour. Many don’t fully wake up during those interruptions, but they aren’t getting a full night’s rest.

Rasmus said sleep apnea occurs when the airway collapses at night. It’s more common as people get older because the muscles in the back of the throat have a harder time keeping the airway open. Alcohol and some medications (pain relievers and muscle relaxants as examples) also make it worse.

� e lack of quality sleep manifests itself throughout the day in di� erent ways: Rasmus said men get excessively sleepy, kids act hyperactive or can’t focus and women feel fatigued.

Jackson said patients have “di� culty with decision making; di� culty with short-term memory, irritability, de-pressed mood.” Once someone starts treatment, he said it’s

easier to lose weight — which is an important component of managing sleep apnea.

If untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Before being diagnosed with sleep apnea just over a year ago, Vickie Becvar of Caldwell snored and fell asleep in front of the TV some evenings as early as 6. Becvar chalked it up to long days teaching high-energy 3- to 5-year-olds in the preschool at Wilson Elementary, and caring for her mom.

A doctor who’d been treating her for chronic sinus infec-tions recommended she have a sleep study. Becvar thought she was only getting six or seven hours of sleep each night. � e study at a sleep lab in Nampa showed Becvar was actu-ally sleeping longer, but stopped breathing so many times a night she wasn’t waking rested. Now, she uses a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine, which is connected to a pump that sends air into the nasal passages to keep the airway open.

“Within a month of being on the machine faithfully, the results were dramatic,” Becvar said. “I think I’m getting more quality sleep. ... I’m not nearly as tired. I wake up before the alarm.”

Nampa resident Jennifer Mettz’s recent sleep study showed she was waking about 16 times an hour. Mettz said she always suspected she had a sleep disorder.

“Even as a teenager, I was not able to fall asleep quickly enough at night to feel rested,” Mettz recalled. Now, as a

divorced mom, Mettz said it’s tough to establish an earlier bedtime because she wants time to decompress after her kids have gone to sleep. Mettz was diagnosed with sleep apnea when she took a physical required to drive a school bus for the Brown Bus Co.

At the time of this story, Mettz had only had her nasal pillow — one of dozens of types of CPAP masks or dental devices on the market — for a few days. � e process of getting accustomed to her new CPAP was waking Mettz during the night, but she said she had already noticed a di� erence.

“I don’t feel like I’m yawning as much during the day,” she said.

Jackson said a period of adjustment to the CPAP is not unusual.

“Commonly, a person has to go through one or two or three or four masks to � nd one they’re comfortable with,” he said.

While many people envision what Becvar describes as a “� ghter pilot-type mask,” Jackson said most patients use a dental device — something that pulls the jaw forward, opening the airway. � ere are some available on the Inter-net, but he recommends working with a dentist to get a correct � t.

Both doctors agreed the more you use the CPAP, the bet-ter the results. Jackson said he knows of patients who take their machines camping using deep cycle marine batteries, which last for three nights before needing a charge.

CPAP machines come with parts such as masks, � lters and hoses, some of which need to be routinely replaced. Becvar said her insurance entitles her to a certain number of replacement supplies. But Mettz of Nampa works part time and said she doesn’t know how she’ll pay for tests and parts not covered by Medicaid.

Learn more

For more information on sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, Dr. Mark Rasmus recommends the National Sleep Foundation web site at sleepfoundation.org.

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By MICHELLE CORKFor Today’s Woman

A doctor who suspects sleep apnea may recommend a sleep study if a woman:

4 Snores loudly enough to bother her partner (Bed partners will recognize the signs: elbowing the snorer to lie on their side or having to kick them out of bed for relief. � e snorer may feel more comfortable sleeping in a recliner. � ese are typically more common in men.)

4 Feels sleepy or excessively fatigued during the day

4 Is post-menopausal4 Is overweight 4 Has a wide neck circumference� ere are two types of sleep studies: One that’s

done at home or an attended sleep study overnight at a sleep lab.

Patients check in about 8:30-9 p.m. A specially-trained technologist will place about two dozen electrodes on her head, neck, chest and legs. � e electrodes record biological functions — oxygen level, air � ow, limb movements — during sleep.

Doesn’t sound sleep-inducing? While a mild sleep aid may be o� ered in some

cases, both sleep specialists Dr. Cary Jackson of Saint Alphonsus and Dr. Mark Rasmus of Idaho Sleep Health say for sleep su� erers, it’s not as bad as it sounds.

“People sleep better than they think they might,” Jackson said.

Suspected sleep apnea patients may try a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure or CPAP machine. � ose with particularly severe cases usu-ally � nd immediate relief and, as a result, get the best night’s sleep they’ve had in a while.

Rasmus added, “Patients who are doing really well want to wear it all the time. ... � ey want to wear it all night.”

Sleep studies are typically over by 6 a.m. the following day. � e results are recorded for the doctor, who recommends how to proceed. � e doctor should also review a patient’s medications, subscribed and over-the-counter, to see if they interfere with a good night’s rest. Some, such as muscle relaxants and pain relievers, may exacerbate sleep apnea.

For the mildest cases of sleep apnea, Rasmus said sleeping on your side may o� er relief. Lying on your back helps gravity close up the airway and interrupt sleep. Also, avoid alcohol before bed and elevate your head.

Do you have sleep apnea?

This quiz, called the STOP-Bang Question-

naire, can be found from several sources

on the Internet. This version was taken from

keepingyouwell.com. The quiz is designed as

a tool to screen patients for Obstructive Sleep

Apnea (OSA).

STOP-Bang Questionnaire

1. Do you Snore loudly (louder than talking or

loud enough to be heard through closed doors)?

Yes No2. Do you often feel Tired, fatigued, or sleepy

during daytime? Yes No3. Has anyone Observed you stop breathing

during your sleep? Yes No 4. Do you have or are you being treated for

high blood Pressure?

Yes No 5. Body Mass Index (BMI) more than 35 (use

the formula to calculate your BMI)?

Yes No BMI Formula: BMI = (Your weight in pounds

X 703)/(your height in inches X your height in

inches)6. Age over 50 years old?

Yes No 7. Neck circumference greater than 15.7

inches? Yes No 8. Gender male? (This quiz will work for your

hubby, too) Yes No

Scoring: Answering “yes” to three or more of

the eight questions indicates that you are High

Risk for OSA. Answering “yes” to less than three questions

indicates that you are Low Risk for OSA.

If you scored in the High Risk for OSA cat-

egory, a sleep study or an evaluation by a sleep

specialist may be warranted.

Common sleep disorders

Dr. Mark Rasmus of Idaho Sleep Health says sleep apnea and insomnia are the two most common sleep disorders. Others include restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy and parasomnia — an umbrella term which refers to disorders such as sleep walking, acting out dreams and bed wetting.

{ }?

Left: Vickie Becvar demonstrates how she uses her CPAP machine at her home in Caldwell. (Aaric Bryan/TW)


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Today's Woman - Feb. 2013