TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH BETTER ACCESS TO MEDICINE AND DIAGNOSTICS
DON'T LOSE SLEEP
Identification and Treatment
Signs and Symptoms
If you or someone you know snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, it may indicate Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Signs and Symptoms
If you or someone you know snores regularly and has one or more of the following symptoms, it may indicate Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- Snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing
- Gasping or choking during sleep
- Obesity (BMI > 35)
- High blood pressure
- Excessive daytime drowsiness, sleepiness or fatigue
- Grogginess or morning headaches
- Frequent urination at night
- Large neck size (greater than 17" in men; greater than 16" in women)
- Restless sleep
- Irritability
- Sexual dysfunction
- Poor judgment or concentration
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Diagnosis To seek a diagnosis, start by talking to your primary care physician (PCP). Evaluation by a doctor specializing in sleep disorders may be recommended. The next step may be undergoing a sleep study which can provide the doctor with information about how you sleep and breathe. This information will help the doctor to determine your diagnosis and treatment options.
Here are answers to common questions about having a sleep study:
Q. What is a sleep study?
A sleep study is a safe, painless and simple evaluation of how your body functions during sleep. The data from your sleep study is later reviewed by a board certified sleep physician. The clinical term for a sleep study is polysomnogram (PSG).
Q. Where are sleep studies held?
Most sleep studies are performed at a facility called a sleep center or sleep lab. Some of these may be situated within a hospital or clinic in the community. However, some sleep studies can be performed in your home, or where you normally sleep, using a portable testing device. A sleep clinician would train you on how to use and return the device. You can ask your doctor or sleep clinician if you qualify for a portable sleep study.
Q. How long will a sleep study take?
The study is performed while you sleep and can take approximately six to eight hours. If you have your sleep study at a sleep lab, you will be scheduled to arrive probably around 8 pm and leave at about 6 am or 7 am the next morning.
Q. What is being monitored while I sleep?
Sensors will be attached to various parts of your body to measure the activities of your brain, heart, lungs and certain muscles during sleep. The information provides important feedback that is interpreted by a sleep specialist and given to your doctor.
Q. What will I feel/does it hurt?
The process is painless. You may feel the sensation of a sensor being removed, which is similar to having a bandage taken off.
Q. Will I be able to go to work the next day?
Yes. You will get a regular night’s sleep and if your study is done in a sleep lab, you will be out of the lab by 6 or 7 am and able to function for work. Many sleep centers have shower facilities and kitchen areas for breakfast. Inquire ahead of time if you are interested.
Q. How long will it take to get my results?
The results are typically available within two weeks. With a properly designed OSA awareness program, like our Sleep Well, Drive Safe, the study results can be available within 48 hours, if not sooner, following conclusion of the study. In some instances, the driver can be prescribed appropriate therapy, if needed, be provided with a CPAP device and resume driving a day after the study.
The study results will be sent to your physician who prescribed the study. He or she will contact you to review the results and discuss whether a diagnosis has been made and if therapy is needed. If the physician feels that a sleep therapy device should be prescribed, another sleep study may be scheduled so data can be collected while sleeping with the device. Alternatively, an auto-CPAP device can be prescribed for you to use so that the proper treatment can be determined while you are on therapy.
Q. Will my insurance cover my sleep study?
Sleep studies are covered by most insurance plans. You should have your insurance information available when your sleep study appointment is scheduled.
For more information on sleep studies click here to view our Sleep Study Brochure.
Therapy- What is the treatment for OSA?
The most common treatment for OSA is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), pronounced “see-PAP.” Other less common treatments include surgery and oral appliances, which may be effective in certain individuals. Any treatments may include weight loss, if needed, exercise, and avoidance of alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics.
How does CPAP therapy work?
CPAP treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea by providing a flow of positive air pressure through a mask to splint the airway open during sleep.
Potential benefits of effective treatment of OSA with CPAP therapy include:- breathing becomes regular
- snoring stops
- restful sleep is restored
- quality of life is improved
- risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and motor vehicle and work accidents may be reduced
The benefits of sleep
Along with diet and exercise, the quality and quantity of sleep a person gets greatly influences their quality of life.
Physiological Effects of Sleep Although sleep is still not completely understood, studies demonstrate that it is an active physiological state during which the body repairs itself and performs a variety of important functions. Studies have shown that sleep affects:
Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes Studies show that sleep deprivation may increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Physiological Effects of Sleep Although sleep is still not completely understood, studies demonstrate that it is an active physiological state during which the body repairs itself and performs a variety of important functions. Studies have shown that sleep affects:
- Learning and Memory Sleep is important for consolidation of new information and memory formation.
- Growth and Development Secretion of growth hormones and prolactin is increased during sleep.
- Blood Pressure Chronic short sleep duration increases the risk of hypertension in adults.
- Stress and Metabolism Levels of cortisol and thyrotropin (thyroid stimulating protein) decrease during sleep.
- Appetite Management
- Sleep affects levels of ghrelin and leptin, hormones that influence feelings of hunger and satiety.
Consequences of Sleep Deprivation Individuals exhibiting normal sleep patterns will generally sleep 7-8 hours per night. Numerous studies indicate that individuals who routinely experience fewer than 6 hours of sleep per night, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, often suffer physiological and emotional consequences, including:
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Depression
- Memory loss
Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes Studies show that sleep deprivation may increase the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
- Several epidemiological studies report a correlation between short sleep duration and higher mean BMI and/or obesity.1
- Studies of young, healthy males show that sleep deprivation over as few as two nights results in decreased glucose tolerance and increased appetite for carbohydrate-rich foods.2,3 The observed increase in hunger, if translated into actual ingestion of the desired foods, would correlate to an excess of 350-500 kcal/day.
- Longer term studies suggest that chronic sleep deprivation may result in reduced insulin sensitivity.1
- Population studies indicate that chronic short sleep duration is correlated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, after adjusting for potential confounding effects including age, sex, body mass index and waist circumference.4,5,6
ApneaLink
Home sleep diagnosis made simple, fast and easy to use: ApneaLink™ Plus with EasySense technology
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is recognized as a serious health problem that impacts approximately 43 million US adults1.
Now, the detection of this chronically debilitating condition has been made easier with the ApneaLink Plus, a Type III home sleep testing diagnostic device that provides simple, cost-effective and reliable results.
New features for clearer diagnosis, time savings and potential increased reimbursement:
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is recognized as a serious health problem that impacts approximately 43 million US adults1.
Now, the detection of this chronically debilitating condition has been made easier with the ApneaLink Plus, a Type III home sleep testing diagnostic device that provides simple, cost-effective and reliable results.
New features for clearer diagnosis, time savings and potential increased reimbursement:
- Effort belt with EasySense respiratory effort sensor
- Enhanced recorder light status; improved Start/Stop button
- Simple, easy-to-use component connectors
- Same robust design as ApneaLink
- Differentiation of apneas—leads to clearer diagnosis and more accurate, effective reports
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration detection
- New prescription page—streamlines process for healthcare professionals
- AHI graphic and risk indicator—can highlight either AHI or RI
- Configurable analysis parameters—allow for the adjustment of obstructive and central apnea thresholds
- Five measurements of oxygen saturation—allow for accurate billing documentation
Click the following links for additional information regarding sleep.
- Sleep Basics
- People and Sleep
- The Body and Sleep
- Insomnia
- Sleep Apnoea
- Snoring
- Narcolepsy
- Hypersomnia
- Parasomnia
- Sleep Paralysis
- Effects of Sleep Deprivation
- Jet Lag
- Women and Sleep
- Diagnosis of Sleep Disorders
- Dreams
- Factors affecting Sleep
- Deep Sleep
- Sleep Myths
http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/sleep-apnea
http://www.resmed.com/us/multimedia/understanding-sdb-english-640x380.swf
iSleep 20i with iTechnology Experience the outstanding breathing comfort of GE’s high-performance iSleep 20i CPAP with AHI and advanced iTechnology, featuring ultra-low noise and integrated heated humidifier.iSleep 20i* is an advanced, high-performance, self-adjusting CPAP that predictively identifies and treats obstructed breathing.
Highlights of iSleep 20i include:
• Advanced signal processing technique to detect various breathing patterns
• Memory card capability for quick, easy download of long-term patient compliance data and detailed log
• Integrated heated humidifier with adjustable upper airway humidification for increased compliance
• Upright, stable design that takes up very little space and fits nicely into any bedroom
• Rear hose design, making the unit easy to integrate on your bedroom nightstand
• Lightweight design and the built-in carrying handle for easy travel
• Universal power supply. With the DC/DC converter, the unit can be powered from a car or recreational vehicle when enjoying an active everyday life
• SpO2 monitoring possibility
Highlights of iSleep 20i include:
• Advanced signal processing technique to detect various breathing patterns
• Memory card capability for quick, easy download of long-term patient compliance data and detailed log
• Integrated heated humidifier with adjustable upper airway humidification for increased compliance
• Upright, stable design that takes up very little space and fits nicely into any bedroom
• Rear hose design, making the unit easy to integrate on your bedroom nightstand
• Lightweight design and the built-in carrying handle for easy travel
• Universal power supply. With the DC/DC converter, the unit can be powered from a car or recreational vehicle when enjoying an active everyday life
• SpO2 monitoring possibility
Sleep Disordered breathing (SDB)
Awareness of sleep apnea is low. We believe around 90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Read more about Sleep apnea
References
- Is a general term for a sleep disorder with apneas1 and hypopneas2. These cause sleep arousals3 that may reduce the quality of sleep and blood oxygen levels
- Affects up to 20% adults4, making it as widespread as type 2 diabetes or asthma
- The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Occurs when the upper airway closes but efforts to breathe continue.
- Upper airway obstruction is usually caused by:
- Lack of muscle tone during sleep
- Excess tissue in the upper airway
- anatomical abnormalities in the upper airway and jaw
- Upper airway obstruction is usually caused by:
- Is predominant among:
- Middle aged men
- Obese people
- Smokers
- High alcohol consumers
- Users of muscle relaxing or pain killing drugs
- Is present in patients with the following conditions:
- 80% drug resistant hypertension
- 60% stroke
- 50% congestive heart failure (CHF)
- > 50% type 2 diabetes
Awareness of sleep apnea is low. We believe around 90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Read more about Sleep apnea
References
- Apnea - cessation of airflow for ten seconds or longer
- Hypopnea - 50% or greater decrease in air flow for ten seconds or longer
- Sleep arousals – moments when an individual wakes enough to resume breathing but not enough to remember any interruption of sleep
- Young et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002; 165:1217-1239
http://www.youtube.com/user/ResMedAmericas/videos?view=0
This information is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a health care professional. Consumers should rely on the judgement of a health care professional for specific conditions.
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