At the end of the day, each of us deserves a good night’s sleep, but many people can’t get the rest they need. Millions of people in the USA and UK suffer from a sleep disorder known as Sleep Apnea. Sleep Apnea is a condition in which a person stops breathing repeatedly during sleep. As a result, the body doesn’t get enough oxygen, The most common sign is nightly snoring, interrupted by pauses in breathing. Sleep Apnea interferes with restful sleep, and the lack of sleep affects daytime alertness and functioning. During both night and day, a person with Sleep Apnea experiences a decrease in his or her quality of life. But Sleep Apnea is a treatable disorder. This brochure will help you understand its causes, symptoms and treatment options.
is the most common form of Sleep Apnea. It occurs when tissues in the throat collapse and block the flow of air in and out of the lungs during sleep. There is no airflow despite efforts to breathe. People with OSA struggle to breath again and again, making restful sleep impossible.
results from the brain not signalling the body to breathe. There is no airflow because there is no effort to breathe. Sleep may also be disrupted by CSA.
is a combination of Central Apnea and Obstructive Apnea.
If you or someone you know snores nightly and has one or more of the following sign or symptoms. Sleep Apnea may be the cause.
Sleep Apnea is a serious disorder that robs its victims of restful sleep and may cause considerable health problems. It can decrease the quality of life for anyone who goes untreated. When left untreated, the disorder can lead to serious consequences such as:
> Increased risk of heart problems
> Increased risk of stroke
> Increased risk of high blood pressure
> Motor vehicle accidents of accidents at work
Evaluation by a sleep specialist is recommended for the diagnosis and treatment of Sleep Apnea. A sleep study provides doctors with information about how you breathe and sleep. This data will enable the sleep specialists to determine the type and severity of Sleep Apnea. It can also help to determine your treatment options.
In the past, Sleep Apnea patients were treated surgically with a tracheostomy, a surgical opening in the throat. Even today tracheostomy may still be ncessary in rare cases, but most people can be treated successfully without surgery.
However in the mid 1980's manufacturers introduced Continous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP, pronounced "see-pap"), a nonsurgical treatment for Sleep Apnea, Since then, companies have continued to improve and expand on the world's most popular line of home therapy systems.
Another type of therapy that has been developed is called bi-level positive pressure therapy. Treatment is based on delivering two different levels of positive airway pressure.
Treatment of Sleep Apnea requires commitment to using the therapy regularly if the greatest benefits are to be recognised. Therapy is often more successful when you understand the disorder and the importance of regularly using the prescribed treatment. The more you know about your disorder, the easier it will be to discuss with your doctor any problems you may experience.
With proper treatment people with Sleep Apnea can increase the quality of their lives. By using the prescribed therapy, people get the restful seep they need. This can result in:
> Less daytime drowsiness and fatigue
> Improved memory and concentration
> Better work performance
> Improved mood
> Less health risks, such as heart problems, high blood pressure or stroke
> Less risk of motor vehicle and work-related accidents
It is very important to follow the treatment that is prescribed for you. In addition, your doctor may also suggest that you:
> Lose weight
> Avoid alcohol, especially close to bedtime
> Take medication with caution, especially sleeping pills; they
depress breathing and can make Sleep Apnea worse. Even common cold medicines can make Sleep Apnea worse.
If you are diagnosed with the Sleep Apnea the sleep specialist will work with your home care provider to supply you with a home therapy system.
Medical Aid may pay for some or all of your equipment cost.
> Small, quiet systems are available from recommended suppliers provided with / without Humidification
> Lightweight and easy to travel with (camping/holiday)
> Smart Card available on request to track patient compliance