July 20, 2011 • Vol. 09, No. 33
POSTAL PATRON CAVE CREEK
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Anthem • Black Canyon City • Carefree • Cave Creek • Desert Hills • New River • N. Phoenix • Tramonto
Carefree family pushes for education on sleep apnea MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Instead of relegating a snoring spouse to the couch Carefree resident Michael J. Krahe said sending them to their doctor or dentist could save their life. Sleep apnea isn’t a new health issue, but is a growing one, which Krahe has taken on as his latest project. After a career as an insurance executive, Krahe and his wife Valerie retired and moved to Carefree in 2008. Through the couple’s daughter, Jennifer, who worked in the dental field, Michael would stumble into his latest project. For the last two years he has done his best to bring together minds, not only from the dentistry world, but also the medical profession, through his organization, the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. The 57-year-old from Carefree said he has big aspirations. “I want us to kill this thing,” he said. “This is a global issue that is getting bigger.” Sleep apnea is a common disorder in which a person has one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while they sleep. The problem is caused by the relaxing of muscles during REM sleep, specifically in the jaw and the tongue. Breathing pauses can last from a few seconds up to two or three minutes and can occur five to 30 times in an hour. “When these stoppages happen the heart beats harder,
Inside:
Anthem doctor convicted on murder charge STAFF REPORT
Dr. Peter Normann of Anthem was found guilty Friday of two counts of second-degree murder in the death of Ralph Gonzalez and Leslie Ann Ray as well as manslaughter in the death of Alicia Santizo Blanco. All three deaths occurred during plastic-surgery procedures between Dec. 2006 - July 2007. Gonzalez, 33, went into cardiac arrest during liposuction surgery in December 2006. He died at a local hospital, according to a report from the Maricopa County Sheriff ’s Office, which conducted the investigation of Normann. In April 2007, Alicia Santizo Blanco died after receiving Submitted photo
Sleep apnea patients often are prescribed a CPAP machine, but for people with only mild to moderate sleep apnea a specially designed mouthpiece is often all the treatment patients need.
your blood pressure goes up and this eventually can lead to cardiac disease,” Krahe said. “The brain measures a dangerous level of carbon dioxide in the body and a chemical sends a message from the brain to the body that you’re going to die if you don’t wake up.” As a result people wake up to a gasp of breath only to fall back asleep and have the process occur all over again. The problem has grown as the population has grown more and more obese. While people with weight issues are more susceptible to the
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a fat injection for cosmetic purposes from Normann. The Arizona Medical Board ruled that the fat was injected into a blood vessel and then found its way to the patient’s heart and lungs. The board performed an on-site inspection that found Normann’s employees had no formal medical training. That prompted the board to restrict Normann from performing any surgeries or conscious sedation until further order. In July 2007 a third patient, Leslie Ann Ray, died at Normann’s clinic after a liposuction procedure. A sheriff ’s report stated that Normann advised Ray that his associate, Gary Page, would
be performing the surgery, but it turned out the associate was a licensed homeopathic practitioner and not licensed to perform surgery. Page was charged with manslaughter in Ray’s death. The massage therapist, who assisted in surgery, has already pleaded guilty to eight counts of unlawful practice of medicine and was sentenced last year to five years in prison. The board shut down Normann’s clinic that month and a sheriff ’s office investigation led to the charges. The jury needed less than two days to comeback with their verdict. Normann will be sentenced Aug. 19 by Judge Paul McMurdie.
North Valley non-profit aids dogs MARC BUCKHOUT MANAGING EDITOR
Photo courtesy of The Fetch Foundation
The Fetch Foundation is a local North Valley non-profit which has a variety of programs to benefit dogs. Among their programs is placing rescue animals in search and rescue programs. Another program pairs dogs with soldiers suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. The third program is putting together Fido Bags for fire personnel. The bags provide fire departments with tools to help treat animals they come across at the scene of accidents or in putting out fires.
CRIME:
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There are a variety of different ways in which dogs have earned the title of man’s best friend. From working in law enforcement and search and rescue to visiting patients in hospitals or serving as guide dogs canines serve in a number of roles. At The Fetch Foundation, located of Joy Ranch and 24th St. in the North Valley, animals are trained for two distinctly different programs. One of them is called from homeless to heroes. The Fetch Foundation works closely with kill shelters rescuing dogs they believe have the opportunity to become search and rescue dogs.
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North Country Conservancy tabs photo contest winners
Desert Foothills Community Association seeks tips on stolen items
Home improvement company offers variety of services
• Editorial Page
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• Service Directory 14 18