Jomon Wellness

12/06/2026

🛡️ VETERANS: Your Mental Health Condition May Be Connected to Sleep Apnea — Here's What the Research Says
If you're a veteran living with PTSD, depression, or anxiety, there's something important you may not know: these conditions are strongly linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — and the connection goes both ways.
Let's break down what the science says. 👇

📊 HOW COMMON IS SLEEP APNEA IN VETERANS WITH PTSD?
Very common. A meta-analysis found that approximately 75% of people with PTSD have some degree of sleep apnea on a sleep study, and nearly half have moderate-to-severe OSA. That's far higher than the general population.
A large study of over 17,500 combat-deployed service members followed for a median of 8+ years found that PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia were all independently associated with developing sleep apnea — even after accounting for weight and other risk factors. In fact, the link between combat injury and sleep apnea was entirely explained by the mental health conditions that followed the injury.

🧠 WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN? THE SCIENCE IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
Mental health conditions and sleep apnea feed off each other in a vicious cycle:
PTSD causes hyperarousal — your brain stays on "high alert" even during sleep. This lowers your arousal threshold, meaning your airway is more likely to collapse and cause breathing pauses during the night.
PTSD disrupts REM sleep — the deep sleep stage where your brain processes emotions and memories. Sleep apnea makes this worse by further fragmenting your sleep.
A landmark 2024 study in JAMA Network Open studied veteran twins — brothers where one had PTSD and the other didn't. The twin with PTSD had significantly more breathing pauses during sleep (about 10.5 more events per hour). The effect of PTSD on sleep apnea severity was comparable to the effect of obesity — one of the most well-known risk factors for OSA.
Psychiatric medications matter too. Many medications prescribed for PTSD and other mental health conditions — especially atypical antipsychotics like quetiapine, olanzapine, and risperidone — can cause significant weight gain AND independently reduce upper airway muscle tone during sleep, both of which worsen sleep apnea.


💤 WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR YOUR HEALTH?
Untreated sleep apnea doesn't just make you tired. It:
Worsens PTSD symptoms, nightmares, and flashbacks
Increases risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes
Impairs memory, concentration, and emotional regulation
Makes it harder to recover from mental health conditions

The good news? Treating sleep apnea with CPAP or oral appliances has been shown to significantly reduce PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and daytime distress.

⚖️ WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR VA DISABILITY CLAIM
The medical evidence supporting a connection between mental health conditions (especially PTSD) and sleep apnea is strong and growing. Veterans have successfully been granted VA service connection for OSA as secondary to service-connected PTSD and other mental health conditions. The key elements typically needed include:
✅ A current diagnosis of OSA (confirmed by a sleep study)
✅ A service-connected mental health condition (e.g., PTSD, depression, anxiety)
✅ A medical nexus opinion — a doctor's letter explaining how your mental health condition caused or aggravated your sleep apnea
The studies cited in this post are exactly the type of evidence that supports a strong nexus opinion.

If you believe your sleep apnea is connected to your service-connected mental health condition, reach out, we are experienced and here to help.

📚 REFERENCES (Recent, Peer-Reviewed Studies):
Shah AJ et al. "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Twins." JAMA Network Open, 2024. — Twin study showing PTSD is independently associated with significantly worse OSA, with effect sizes comparable to obesity.
Haynes ZA et al. "Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Survivors of Combat-Related Traumatic Injury." Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2022. — Study of 17,500+ service members showing PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia independently predict OSA development.
McCall CA & Watson NF. "A Narrative Review of the Association Between PTSD and OSA." Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022. — Comprehensive review of the bidirectional relationship between PTSD and OSA.
Benca RM et al. "Recognition and Management of OSA in Psychiatric Practice." Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2023. — Review showing OSA is common in psychiatric populations and may be an independent risk factor for psychiatric conditions.
Sartor Z et al. "PTSD: Evaluation and Treatment." American Academy of Family Physicians Clinical Guideline, 2023. — Clinical guideline noting 75% OSA prevalence in PTSD and recommending screening and treatment.


🔔 Bottom line: If you have a service-connected mental health condition and you snore, wake up gasping, feel exhausted during the day, or have worsening nightmares — ask your doctor about a sleep study. You deserve answers and treatment.

📩 Questions? Reach out to Jomon Wellness. We're here to help veterans navigate their health and benefits.

24/05/2026

This Memorial Day weekend, we pause to honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. At Jomon Wellness, we're deeply committed to supporting lifelong wellness with compassion and respect. As you gather with loved ones, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Your health and well-being matter

23/05/2026

Honor those who served with compassionate care. Our veteran disability exams provide thorough, respectful evaluations to support service members in receiving the benefits they've earned. We understand the sacrifices made and are committed to making this process as seamless and dignified as possible. Let us stand beside you with the care and attention your service deserves.

08/05/2026

Today was a BIG day at Jomon Wellness. 🇺🇸🔔

We found out that a veteran we recently helped was awarded an increase from 20% service connection to 100% permanent and total disability as of TODAY.

What makes this even more incredible? His exams and claims were only submitted on 4/22/26.

This veteran had been fighting to keep his claim alive after previous denials. The difference was simple: taking the time to truly listen, thoroughly review the records, document the condition appropriately, and provide the level of detail and medical rationale the veteran deserved from the beginning.

This award will result in over $30,000 in back pay for this veteran and his family. That is life-changing.

At Jomon Wellness, we celebrate WITH our veterans. We feel the excitement, relief, and validation right alongside them because these are benefits they earned through service and sacrifice protecting our country.

Moments like this are exactly why we do what we do.

RING THE BELL!!! 🔔🇺🇸

11/02/2026

Today I got one of the best phone calls a provider can receive.

A Veteran we've been working with was just approved for 100% disability. He was at 10% when he came to us.

This didn’t happen on the first try. It didn’t happen easily. There were multiple attempts, persistence, documentation, clarification, and advocacy. But he stayed the course — and today it paid off. Since working with us, the process has taken approximately 4-5 months.

When we do these exams and write these opinions, it’s not paperwork to us. It’s personal.

These are real people who served, real families affected, and real financial security on the line.
We don’t celebrate “wins” because of business.
We celebrate because a Veteran finally received what he earned.

And yes — when they win, it feels like a win for us too.

If you’re a Veteran who has been denied, underrated, or told “no” before… sometimes it’s not the end of the road. Sometimes it just means the case needs to be presented correctly, clearly, and thoroughly.

Today we celebrate one more Veteran being recognized.

And that never gets old. 🇺🇸

02/02/2026

“A patient walked into the doc for a visit…”

The patient says, “So I read something and wanted to ask if this could help me.”
The provider replies, “Nope. That’s not a thing.”
Keyboard clicks. Door opens. Visit ends.

Patient walks out thinking: Am I crazy? Was that a dumb question? Why did I even bother asking?

🙃 Sound familiar?

It’s happened to me — as a patient — more than once. And it stuck with me. Because curiosity shouldn’t be punished, and questions shouldn’t be dismissed just because they don’t fit neatly into a 10-minute, checkbox-driven visit.

As a provider, I’ve made a promise to myself: I will always keep an open mind. That doesn’t mean every idea is the right fit — but it does mean it deserves a conversation. Education. Context. An explanation of why something may or may not be appropriate for you.

I welcome patients who come in informed. I welcome discussions. I welcome the chance to say, “Let’s look at that together.” I take the time because I can — and because I believe your care shouldn’t be dictated by rushed visits, insurance constraints, or corporate oversight.

There are many conversations to be had when it comes to our health. Your provider should be the first person you feel safe having them with.

I thrive on partnering with patients — not dictating, dismissing, or shutting them down.

Equal partners. Shared decisions. Better outcomes.

Let’s do this together

01/02/2026

Updated listings for official locations.
There are now 6 open in Kentucky.

The Post Dispensary, located at 300 N. Main St, Beaver Dam, KY 42320, will be opening Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10 AM CST with limited product availability. You can learn more here​. ​

01/02/2026

My husband got me this for Christmas and I haven't had a chance to explore it yet but am so excited!
Thought I would share in case anyone else as nerdy as me is interested in this type of thing.

Try It Now Risk-FREE

01/02/2026

🌤 Good morning and happy Sunday.

As winter starts to wind down, it’s a great time to support your body through the seasonal transition. Late winter can still be tough on immunity, sinuses, energy levels, and sleep — especially after months of cold air, indoor heat, and shorter days. A little intentional care now can help you finish the season strong and step into spring feeling better.

✨ Support Your Immune System Through the Transition

Your immune system is still working overtime. Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, garlic, ginger, bone broth, quality protein, and healthy fats to replenish what winter may have depleted.

💤 Prioritize Rest and Recovery

Many people feel more fatigued at the end of winter than the beginning. Consistent sleep and allowing your body extra rest when needed helps regulate hormones, support immune balance, and restore energy.

🌬 Protect and Soothe Nasal Passages

Even as temperatures rise, indoor air can remain dry and irritating. Using a nasal saline spray helps keep nasal passages moist, supports your body’s natural defenses, and reduces irritation and congestion common this time of year.

💧 Hydration Still Matters

Cold weather often leads to chronic dehydration. Water, herbal teas, and warm liquids help support mucosal health, lymphatic flow, and overall immune resilience as your body shifts seasons.

🚶‍♀️ Gentle Movement + Stress Support

As daylight increases, light movement like walking or stretching can help reset circadian rhythms, improve circulation, and boost mood. Managing stress is just as important — chronic stress can quietly suppress immune function.

🌿 Think Ahead to Spring

Late winter is the perfect time to rebuild your foundation: adequate vitamin D (if needed), balanced nutrition, consistent sleep, and daily habits that support resilience before allergy season and spring illnesses arrive.

Small, steady habits now make a big difference later.

Take care of your body — it’s been working hard all winter.
☀️🌱

31/01/2026

Waking up between 2–4 AM?

Feeling exhausted but unable to sleep?

This isn’t always stress—and it isn’t “just getting older.”

Sleep disruption is one of the earliest and most common signs of perimenopause, even years before periods stop. Hormone fluctuations can affect temperature regulation, stress hormones, and how deeply the brain sleeps.
Take a look at this quick self-check and see how many sound familiar.
👇
Comment “SLEEP” if this resonates or save this post to come back to later.