Sleep apnea is a deadly sleep disorder and as soon as you spot out any symptoms of this deadly disorder it is always best to go to a sleep specialist and follow his instructions.

A good sleep specialist will probably recommend CPAP, surgery, or oral appliance therapy. This list is not necessarily an alternative to CPAP, surgery, or oral appliances, but rather supplementary methods that decrease the probability of airway collapse.

Usually these methods are not enough to entirely eliminate sleep apnea disorder however there are effective ways either. Here are six of such probable ways ;

1. Lose Your Extra Weight

Unless you are extremely overweight AND your sleep apnea is mild, usually weight loss is not enough to entirely eliminate it. But it can definitely help. Weight loss is thought to improve apnea by changing the shape of the airway which decreases the probability of airway collapse. Read the rest of this entry

Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

United States Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Market Outlook to 2017 – Respiratory Devices, Respiratory Measurement Devices, Airway and Anesthesia Devices, Anesthesia Machines, Sleep Apnea Diagnostic Systems, Pain Management Devices and Others

The report provides key market data on the United States Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices market. The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within eight market categories – Airway and Anesthesia Devices, Anesthesia Machines, Pain Management Devices, Regional Anesthesia Disposables, Respiratory Devices, Respiratory Disposables, Respiratory Measurement Devices and Sleep Apnea Diagnostic Systems. Read the rest of this entry

People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to stick to prescribed treatment when a partner or parent is involved with their treatment, according to a team of sleep researchers.

Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the upper airway collapses during sleep. It is the most common type of sleep-disordered breathing, and chances of it occurring become more elevated in obese people.

The first line of treatment for sleep apnea is a non-invasive in-home treatment called CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure therapy. However, if patients do not use the equipment properly, or at all, it cannot help. Read the rest of this entry

Harry Cutler, a sleep apnea patient, has been awarded patent protection in the United Kingdom. The patent protects a medical device created initially to treat Mr. Cutler’s own obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) which afflicts from 12% to 25% of the population. The device also reduces or eliminates snoring, one of the primary side effects of OSA. Unlike other oral appliances, it can be used by people with loose teeth, dentures, or no teeth at all, thereby eliminating costly dental preparation. It is being marketed as the “RespireAide Sleep Apnea Solution”.

In this case, necessity was indeed the mother of invention. Underemployed at the time and without insurance, Cutler’s sleep apnea became severe. “I was falling asleep while driving to work, in the middle of the day! I had to do something,” said Cutler.

He researched the condition and began to fashion a solution mostly from items found around the house or purchased from the local hardware and sporting goods stores. “The initial device was somewhat crude, but it did help. Over the following six years, using myself as a test subject, I refined and improved the device with the goal of creating an acceptable combination of comfort and effectiveness. The resultant device bears little resemblance to the original,” he added. Read the rest of this entry

The American Sleep Apnea Association has recognized CPAP or Continuous Positive Air Pressure as one of the most effective and reliable therapeutic options for the management of mild to moderate sleep apnea. For restoration of normal breathing, choosing the best mask for CPAP is the most critical concern area, especially for patients who are put on this therapy for the first time.

It involves pumping in pre-measured pressurized air directly in to the lungs. One of the most important components of the equipment set is the mask, also known as the sleep apnea masks, since they carry the pressurized air into the lungs generated by the machine.

Reasons why this component should be purchased carefully

- Comfort and ease of use of the item is of paramount importance. Any discomfort can mean discontinuation of therapy.

- Air leakage can mar the efficacy of the therapy. Therefore the item should be bought only after seriously considering various aspects of usage. This is the only way the user can continue with the therapy and enjoy the benefits. Read the rest of this entry

The University Hospitals Case Medical Center is conducting  research study and clinical trials  for evaluating effectiveness of a new implantable device to treat sleep apnea.

The study is aimed to evaluate an electronic device designed to deliver mild stimulation to the main nerve of the tongue — the hypoglossal nerve — on each breathing cycle during sleep.

This stimulation is intended to restore tone to the muscles that control the base of the tongue, which prevent the tongue from collapsing and obstructing the airway during sleep.

Sleep apnea obstruction may not be the only cause for loud snoring but it does affects sleep that is not refreshing. At the same time sleep apnea equally causes daytime sleepiness and a reduced quality of life. Other disorders associated with sleep apnea include development of high blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes. Read the rest of this entry

The Edward Sleep Center A.W.A.K.E. (Alert, Well And Keeping Energetic) support group will host first vendor fair from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Edward Sleep Center, 27555 Diehl Road in Warrenville.

Sleep medicine vendors will be present to provide information about and offer demonstrations of what’s new in the field. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Sleep apnea patients, family members, physicians and allied health staff are invited to learn about new continuous positive airway pressure equipment, masks and other accessories. Free CPAP machine pressure checks will also be offered. Read the rest of this entry

Reportlinker.com announced the release of a new market research report ”Global  Sleep Apnea Diagnostic And Therapeutic Devices Industry“.    This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Sleep Apnea Diagnostic and Therapeutic Devices in US$ Million  by the following Product Segments: Diagnostic Devices (Fixed PSG, Ambulatory  PSG, & Others include Screening Devices), and Therapeutic Devices (CPAP,  Bi-Level PAP, Auto PAP, & Facial Interfaces ,Masks and Humidifiers).

The  report provides separate comprehensive analytics for the US, Japan, Europe, and  Rest of World. Annual estimates and forecasts are provided for the period 2007  through 2015. A seven-year historic analysis is also provided for these markets. Read the rest of this entry

Advocate Condell Medical Center, along with the Alert, Well, And Keeping Energetic support group (A.W.A.K.E.), is hosting a CPAP vendor fair on Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in the conference center at 801 South Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville. The event is free and open to the public.

Sleep apnea patients, family members and physicians are invited to learn about new continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipment, masks, and other items for clients. Vendors include; DeVilbiss, Phillips Respironics, ResMed, Candance, Fisher & Paykel along with Dr. Debbie Kline, an oral appliance specialist. Additionally, Advocate Home Health Care will offer free CPAP equipment pressure checks.  Read the rest of this entry

The most effective treatment for the nighttime breathing disorder known as obstructive sleep apnea is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, according to a new report.

A CPAP machine pumps air through a mask while the patient sleeps. This treatment is highly effective in improving sleep and reducing symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, according to the review of available evidence.

However, side effects such as dry nose and mouth, nosebleeds, chest discomfort and feeling trapped can cause patients to abandon CPAP treatment, noted the authors of the report, which was funded by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

One expert called the report’s findings “valuable.” Read the rest of this entry

According to research presented at the 20th Anniversary Meeting of  the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), the  apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with severe obstructive sleep  apnea (OSA) was more improved by a combination treatment of a mandibular  advancement splint (MAS) and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy  than by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy alone.

Results show that without lowering the pressure substantially, CPAP  tolerance can be improved and severe OSA can be effectively treated  using a MAS that physically supports and stabilizes the position of  nasal pillows (TAP-PAP). Read the rest of this entry

Transcend, the new wearable sleep apnea therapy device designed by Somnetics International Inc. to be the ultimate travel CPAP, now measures apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). While AHI measurement is not new to CPAPs, it is a new standard feature on Transcend thereby giving users added value at no additional cost.

Used to assess the severity of a patient’s sleep apnea, AHI is a numerical measure that accounts for the number of pauses in breathing per hour of sleep. Leak detection helps assess the appropriateness of the mask used by the patient. In measuring AHI and leak detection, Transcend also helps assess the efficacy of the patient’s pressure setting. Valuable to both patients and doctors, this information can be used to identify issues with the therapy and to determine how changes to the system setup affects overall treatment. Read the rest of this entry

A research abstract that will be presented in Minneapolis, Minn., at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) says that large  corporations could save millions of dollars in lost productivity by screening  and treating high-risk employees for obstructive sleep apnea .

Results show that a large  corporation in Florida could save an estimated $136 million in lost productivity  over 10 years by screening high-risk employees for OSA and offering treatment  with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy.  The study found that  608 employees of the corporation were middle-aged, obese men who were at high  risk for OSA.According to the authors, untreated OSA results in job performance deficiencies  such as excessive sleepiness, cognitive dysfunction, irritability  and reduced vitality. Research shows that work performance can be decreased by  30 percent due to sleep fragmentation and repetitive hypoxia, which are  characteristics of OSA. Read the rest of this entry

SleepApneaDisorder/[ Press Release ]/ Minneapolis, USA/  – SLEEP 2011 will bring current research and clinical practices to the forefront for sleep specialists from around the world this week at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC annual meeting. And Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) will demonstrate the latest advances in sleep with the premiere of “Pathway to Compliance.” The interactive showcase features the latest breakthroughs for diagnosing, treating and managing the entire spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing patients and guides them on their journey to better sleep. “Tremendous strides have been made to deepen our understanding of sleep,” says John Frank, Sr. Vice President, General Manager, Sleep and Respiratory Care, Philips Home Healthcare Solutions. “There is growing evidence of co-morbidities such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. As allies in better sleep and breathing, we are committed to meeting these challenges with intelligent solutions. With “Pathway to Compliance,” we will show how new advances are making the future of sleep and therapy compliance a reality for patients and clinicians.” Read the rest of this entry