The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 20 COVID patients today, up from 16 Friday. Other significant numbers:

• 9 with the active virus today, 6 Friday
• 0 in ICU, 1 Friday
• 0 on ventilator, same as Friday
• 11 hospitalized but out of acute infection phase, 10 Friday

Key points from today’s guests:

Dr. Damien Stevens, pulmonologist and sleep specialist, The University of Kansas Health System

• The ideal amount of sleep is 7 to 8 hours
• COVID has greatly affected our sleep, mostly from insomnia caused by worry and stress
• COVID sleep problems have led to increase in alcohol and drug use in an effort to sleep better. For some it’s turned into a long-term problem.
• Sleep apnea, in which a person stops breathing multiple times due to constricted airway, continues to be a big problem. The main risk factor is being overweight and losing weight can reverse the problem
• CPAP still the gold standard for treating sleep apnea. Some patients qualify for an implanted device that stimulates the tongue to help keep the airway open.
• Children who have night terrors usually don’t remember when being awake. Most outgrow by around age eight. Typically more traumatizing to the parents.
• The best room temperature for sleep is the one that’s comfortable for you
• Menopausal women have some of the highest rates of insomnia

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• Health system COVID numbers holding steady but nationally there’s an uptick, especially in hospitalizations
• Even if it’s not required, it’s still recommended that everyone wear a mask on a place due to being in a confined space with strangers for a long period
• When it comes to the question of double masking, good fit is more important than the number of masks
• Some home COVID tests have been producing false negative results while others being sold have been found to be fakes. Best to follow any home test with the full PCR test.

Tuesday, May 10 at 8:00 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Studies find one in ten people in Kansas City has a severe mental disorder. A message from one family ...after losing their son to suicide. And how the foundation in his name...is helping other seeking help.

ATTENTION: media procedure for joining:

Zoom link: https://kumc-ois.zoom.us/j/7828978628

Telephone Zoom link: 1-312-626-6799, meeting ID: 782 897 8628

TVU Grid link: UoK_Health_SDI

Restream links: Facebook.com/kuhospital

YouTube.com/kuhospital

Send advance questions to medicalnewsnetwork@kumc.edu.