According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Frost and Sullivan report from 2016, approximately 12% suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, at least 29.4 million adults in the U.S. - 80% of which go undiagnosed.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly through the night. Breathing stops because the throat or “airway” collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs. Sleep patterns are disrupted, resulting in excessive sleepiness or fatigue during the day.
- Loud or disruptive snoring - Witnessed pauses in breathing - Choking or gasping for air during sleep - Restless sleep - Frequent visits to the bathroom
- Early morning headaches - Excessive daytime fatigue - Poor concentration - Depression or irritability - Falling asleep during routine activities
Evaluation by a doctor specializing in sleep disorders is recommended. Have a sleep study done. A sleep study 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.
There is possible increased risk for: - High blood pressure - Heart disease and heart attack - Stroke - Fatigue-related motor vehicle and work accidents - Decreased quality of life
Most commonly, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy is the treatment. It is noninvasive and can help with symptoms when used as prescribed. Less commonly, surgery, positional devices or oral appliances are used, which may be effective in certain cases. Any treatment plan should include weight loss if needed, exercise and avoiding alcohol, sedatives and hypnotics.
Most PAP users who remain committed to treatment enjoy: - Increased energy and attentiveness - Fewer morning headaches - Reduced irritability - Improved memory - Increased ability to exercise - Lower blood pressure - Decreased risk of strokes and heart attacks - Increased effectiveness at home and at work - Improved overall quality of life
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) provides a gentle flow of positive-pressure air through a facial mask to keep the airway open during sleep. As a result: - Breathing becomes regular during sleep - 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 are reduced
Masks are used to deliver the air from the therapy device to you. A comfortable mask is a key factor in being able to use your treatment daily, so finding a mask that fits you and your lifestyle is important. Most masks have built-in exhalation ports that vent your exhaled air. Talk to your homecare provider about the different masks and headgear available.
The tubing is used to carry the air from the therapy device to the mask. You should clean and inspect your tubing at least once a week to make sure it is clean, bendable and that is doesn’t have any tears. If you think your tubing is ready for replacement, contact your homecare provider.
Therapy devices come with filters. Some devices come with one regular filter and others come with two – one regular filter and one ultra-fine filter. See your device manual for details on caring for your filters.
DreamMapper is a mobile app that allows you to track your therapy progress so you can take an active role in your sleep apnea therapy. You can also access DreamMapper through any browser.