SUMMARY: Nancy Grace, a cable TV talk-show host and former prosecutor, may be too familiar with dismissing people, and seems to have forgotten how to do research to get at the truth of an issue. Her actions as a prosecutor were, at times, less than upright, according to a federal appeals panel.
BACKGROUND: On her July 9, 2007 Nancy Grace aired on Headline News, the former prosecutor-turned-talk-show-host, made a large error that has cause an uproar throughout the patient sector of the sleep community. The professional sector, primarily sleep physicians and many sleep-related organizations, have remained silent on the matter.
Grace was hosting a show about the 2006 death of former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler Mike Durham, known in the wrestling world as "Johnny Grunge."
The media, much like many primary care physicians, are often out-of-touch with the realities of medicine. At this point, because Headline News, an umbrella division of CNN News, a Time-Warner company, is a news outlet, the term media is being applied broadly to encompass the Nancy Grace show.
Grace’s show began that night, according to the official transcript, with her saying:
Tonight, breaking news as the investigation expands in the case of superstar WWE wrestler 40-year-old Chris Benoit, Benoit and his entire family found dead inside their upscale home, Atlanta suburbs. Headlines tonight: Another body turns up, stunning allegations Benoit`s personal doctor now connected to the death of another pro wrestler, Mike Durham, AKA "Johnny Grunge," dead at 40 and allegedly under Dr. Phil Astin III’s care. While yet another raid goes down on the doctor to the stars, Dr. Phil Astin facing federal charges regarding painkillers and other drugs. And tonight: Did anabolic steroids play a role in the deaths of Benoit and his family? The clock still ticking on those toxicology reports.
Following the introduction, according to the show’s transcript, a video clip was aired, with an unidentified female voice saying:
A potential bombshell in the investigation into wrestler Chris Benoit`s doctor. Investigators say Dr. Phil Astin may also have written prescriptions for a second wrestler who died. Police say he prescribed muscle relaxers to Michael Durham, better known as "Johnny Grunge," the day before his 2006 death. Durham`s body was found next to an empty pill bottle.
Shortly after that, Grace makes a comment, summing it up, saying, "Is the same celebrity doctor connected to yet another WWE death?"
Nancy Grace drops a bombshell
Just moments later, after a brief discussion with two of her guests, the possibility that Durham died in his sleep, as a result of sleep apnea, came up. At that point, Grace jumped in, dominating the panel of guests, according to the transcript, and made the following declaration:
… It’s basically snoring, and you know, not breathing for a few seconds periodically through the night. You don`t die of sleep apnea. That is complete BS.
Additional background
Immediately following the death of the late Reggie White on Sunday, December 26, 2004, his wife and physician immediately attributed sleep apnea as at least one of the causes of his death. On his death certificate, sleep apnea was listed, as well. If you watched television news in Philadelphia that week, particularly WCAU-TV 10, with a story by "medical reporter" Cherie Banks, you would have been told sleep apnea does not kill, nor does it cause problems to the heart.
Medical reporters, or those who work for media outlets and report on news, sometimes have a "background" in medicine or health care, and sometimes they don’t. Some of those reporting on health issues are actual health care providers, such as CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta, though, with the amount of time he devotes to the news network, it could be hard getting an office appointment with him.
Media representatives, regardless of their title or position, need always confirm what they say is accurate and true. Publishing or broadcasting something, if only because "someone heard this was true" is not acceptable, not for health care professionals, and certainly not for media representatives.
If reporters, editors, "medical reporters" and anchors — particularly people such as Nancy Grace, a former prosecutor who should know the basics of doing good research to discover the truth before firing off a volley of inaccuracies — did just basic research, the truth about the gravity of sleep apnea is quite easy to find.
In fact, if Nancy Grace, any of the editors or researchers for the show, or even one of the show’s producers had visited Mayo Clinic’s site to do a simple search, an article by Dr. Virend Somers would have been found quickly.
According to many published reports, Durham took approximately 120 soma the night before, when he evidently went to sleep. If that is the case, the pills may well proved fatal in conjunction with apnea, but, to date, we have found no link definitively establishing the fact that Durham did or did not have apnea. This also is not the issue.
CNN, Headline News, Nancy Grace’s lack of response …
Awake In America has made repeated attempts since the show aired to discuss the matter with CNN officials, producers, and others in both Atlanta and New York studios. One male CNN representative who refused to identify himself, said, "This is a non-issue for us. Move on." When asked what was a "non-issue," the National Coordinator of Awake In America was told, "All of your calls. It was a simple comment, her opinion, and nothing more."
Awake In America can no longer remain silent on the issue, attempting to work to a resolve with CNN, Headline News, and the Nancy Grace show. Certainly, any media outlet, and more pointedly, any prosecutor or anyone who served as a prosecutor or attorney, knows the value of basing comments on truth, not opinion or hearsay.
For Nancy Grace, in this instance, to publicly halt all comment because her opinion is that apnea is "basically snoring, and you know, not breathing for a few seconds periodically through the night" and anything else is "complete BS"
A simple correction, a 10- or 20-second comment at the end or start of a "Nancy Grace" show, will not suffice, at this point in time. Too much time has elapsed, there are too many harsh criticisms around the Internet, let alone in viewer-generated emails, including emails sent from a custom form established by Awake In America and shared with those who contacted us about the issue. The issue, now, focuses on public perception, both of Nancy Grace and the outrage caused in the sleep community over her ill-spoken comments. In fact, a simple search, restricted to search findings containing the exact phrase of both "nancy grace" and "apnea", results in over 500 results. Other searches, using other terms, including only her last name, various spellings of the word "apnea"
Call to Action
At this point, Michele Narcavage, President of Awake In America, is formally calling on CNN, as the seemingly "parent" division of Headline News; as well as Headline News, the division which airs the Nancy Grace show; and Nancy Grace, herself, to:
- publicly retract and correct the grossly incorrect, blatantly ill-informed comments made by a show’s host in a moment of obliviousness. If Nancy Grace wishes to argue she is not oblivious to reams upon reams of current research, then perhaps it is her brash TV persona that has gotten in the way, being dismissive of a serious health condition.
- In calling for CNN, Headline News, and the Nancy Grace show to retract and correct this statement, perhaps 20 seconds long, Awake In America is calling on the company to provide an in-dept feature, perhaps even on the Nancy Grace show or on CNN’s weekly health feature, House Call with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, to provide accurate information.
CNN, Headline News, and certainly, Nancy Grace and the Nancy Grace show, are certainly not the be-all, end-all when it comes to the definitive word on sleep apnea. Nancy Grace’s "opinion," as Awake In America was told, certainly is not valid when it comes to sleep apnea.
"Ms. Grace has publicly exhibited her gross lack of basic understanding of sleep apnea, simply as a clinical term, not as a sleep disorder," said Awake In America’s president, Michele Narcavage, in issuing the organization’s call-to-action against CNN, Headline News, and Time-Warner. "It’s apparent Ms. Grace, as well as those at the news organization, believe they have final say in what is or is not truth in society today. Being a news outlet, however, does not make one a deity, nor does it make one, especially Ms. Grace, a sleep specialist. A quick search on her record as a prosecutor leads quickly to questions about how she handled matters of law. The reaction of her staff and the news organization, including to our calls, demonstrates an utter disregard for accuracy. Of course, she is not a reporter, but she is conducting a forum on a news outlet, and in discussing a news event, she caused great harm and dismay across the sleep community."
- As a result of Grace’s comments may have chilling effects on patients struggling with compliance issues during their early days of CPAP or BiPAP use.
In two days since the airing of Nancy Grace’s comments, we’ve been contacted by two individuals who are not going to pursue CPAP therapy to treat their sleep apnea. They, like many people, believe anything said by "credible" individuals in society. When a talk show hosts makes a comment, such as the declaration by Nancy Grace, many, if they do not know all the facts about sleep apnea, may take the former prosecutor and attorney at her word that apnea is not a serious disorder. This is a grave consequence that may prove fatal.
In the past two weeks, a member of the Awake In America family died. One cause of death, as cited on the death certificate, was sleep apnea. That individual was being treated for sleep apnea, faithfully using a CPAP each night.
We have also received another call to our offices, asking about how one would go about donating a CPAP machine of someone who has passed away. That person, also a faithful CPAP user, died at the age of 82, having used a CPAP for over 11 years.
- Nancy Grace’s opinions could also help form more of a basis for other ill-informed reporters nationally and internationally who may have watched the episode, that sleep apnea is not a serious health risk.
Once a "fellow journalist" makes a comment on the air, that error is often repeated, many times. In newspapers, when an error makes it into print, it is often repeated, as well. Why? Because other reporters flip back through old news clippings, or, in today’s newsrooms, pull up electronically-stored copies of the original articles, not the Web-based versions which may contain the correct version.
- Nancy Grace’s comments could also be the cause that many people, bordering on the line of talking with a physician after months or years of pleading by a spouse, child, other family member, friend, or co-worker, ultimately decide to not discuss the issue. There is no need to talk with my doctor now, because, on the Nancy Grace show, I just heard her say that it is "basically snoring, and you know, not breathing for a few seconds periodically through the night. You don`t die of sleep apnea. That is complete BS."
Many people suffer for years, sometimes a decade or longer, before they get help for a sleep disorder, including sleep apnea. Sometimes it takes that long because the physician(s) treating the person are not educated about sleep disorders. That’s a sad reality about the health care profession. A "doctor" who graduated this past May from medical school received, on average, about two hours of training in "sleep medicine." That two hours had to be used to teach that new doctor about all 88 classified sleep disorders, the signs and symptoms of each, the treatment, differential diagnoses, and other pertinent information. In reality, how much does that doctor know about sleep disorders?
Because the average primary care physician has little background in treating sleep disorders, Awake In America always suggests individuals speak with board-certified sleep specialists, if possible.
Now, in the other cases, when it is not the doctor causing the delay in treating a sleep disorder, but rather the individual, this can be a nasty thing. It is generally only after months, perhaps years of a spouse, bed partner, child, other family member, friend, or co-worker tapping you on the shoulder, saying, "Have you gotten that sleep issue checked out?" that a person finally gives in and talks with a doctor. Most of the time it is to convince the other person that there is nothing wrong. In many cases, though, there is an underlying problem.
If a person has gotten to the point where they are ready to go, even if out of spite, to talk with a physician about a possible sleep disorder, or, on occasion, specifically about sleep apnea, and someone can make a declaration that sleep apnea is not serious, guess what? The person no longer feels compelled to go, even out of spite.
With the number of individuals we deal with in any given month, it is safe to safe there was a group watching Nancy Grace when she made her declaration. For that, she has destroyed a lot of work many people have done, for friends, family, loved ones, and co-workers, perhaps over many years.
- Nancy Grace, as a talk show host, has a duty, nay, a responsibility, especially in light of the show’s production company, Headline News and CNN News, to broadcast accurate information when discussion a serious, potentially life-threatening disorder.
If one even gives slight consideration to the comment made by Nancy Grace, the thought itself rings hollow. Consider this situation: A person, on the bus or beside you at a public event suddenly stops breathing. What do you do? If you’re like most people in America, you immediately call 911. If you know CPR, you may begin the ABC’s of rescue, which are:
- Check the AIRWAY
- Restore BREATHING
- Check CIRCULATION
Yes, all three points are critical, all three are physiological signs vital to ascertaining life in individuals, as well as animals. If you aren’t breathing, you are either dead or dying. When a person suddenly stops breathing — in their sleep or otherwise — it is not normal and intervention is key to preventing serious health risks.
The term apnea is Greek, and means, literally, without breath. Clinically, a person is diagnosed as having apnea once they’ve undergone a polysomnogram and at least 10 recorded apneas, each lasting 10 seconds or longer, are recorded. That is the minimum number of apneas, 10, that a person must have in one hour, to be clinically diagnosed as having apnea. It is not uncommon for people to have fewer than five apneas per night, but once the threshold is met, the underlying apnea needs to be addressed.
If clinically-significant apnea is not treated, various health conditions may result. Some of those conditions include:
- Increased risk of heart attack (Some studies have demonstrated that approximately one-third of all apneics have also been diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD))
- Increased risk of stroke (over 70 percent of stroke victims, according to more than several studies, have also been diagnosed with sleep apnea)
- Diabetes (it is estimated that somewhere around 17 percent of all diabetics have apnea, and that the likelihood of developing diabetes increases several-fold if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. In fact, some physicians see sleep apnea as an indicator or predictor of sleep apnea in their patients)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Increased risk of involvement in motor vehicle accidents
- Moodiness / Mood swings / depression (may be related to sleep deprivation, but may also be actual depression are a result of constant fatigue and stress on the body and mind from lack of sleep)
- Irritability
- Morning headaches (often described as "worse than a migraine", "a red-hot rail being drilled through the skull", and similar ways)
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) (acid reflux)
- Nocturnal bruxism (grinding of the teeth during sleep)
- Memory loss (initially short-term memory is impaired, and later, long-term memory loss)
- Impaired concentration
- Decreased sex drive
- Insomnia
For those wishing to send feedback to the producers of the Nancy Grace show, please visit Awake In America’s information form about this issue.
How much sleep do you need?
Sleep researchers suggest that the average adult get between 7-1/2 hours to 8-1/2, and children 14 and younger should get 9-1/2 hours of sleep each night.
Impact on Americans’ lives
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) estimates that more than 40 million Americans suffer chronic, long-term sleep disorders.
Other research, focused on a serious, potentially life-threatening condition known as sleep apnea, may impact the lives of more than 18 million Americans (about seven percent), yet only about four percent of those with apnea been diagnosed.
While 60 million Americans frequently suffer from bouts of insomnia for extended periods, another 20 million Americans experience occasional sleeping problems. These disorders and sleeping problems, coupled with the resulting sleep deprivation, interfere with family, work, driving, and social activities.
Economic impact of sleep disorders
Problems related to sleep disorders and sleep deprivation account for an estimated $16 billion in medical costs each year, according to NINDS. The indirect costs due to lost productivity and other factors are probably much greater. Doctors have identified more than 80 sleep disorders, most of which can be managed effectively once they are correctly diagnosed. The most common sleep disorders include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and narcolepsy.
Additional Resources:
- Awake In America
- Awake In Philly
- The Sleep Blog
- The Sleep Blog Forum
- Apnea and Intimacy (email discussion list)
- CPAPusers-L (email discussion list)
- CPAP Blog (UK)
- Fans of Reality TV / Sports forum
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/health — Sleep Apnea/2007-Nancy-Grace/2007-07-09.1207
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