#Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

[toomanyacronyms]

About two months ago, I had a sleep study done. It showed mild sleep apnea (8-14 events an hour), and I was recommended to try a CPAP. I just got it today and.... I have no idea how to feel about it. On one hand: yay for hopefully breathing through the night! On the other hand: why do I feel like I failed at human bodying somehow?

[revagraphic]

CPAP Machine On Rent

CPAP Machine is mainly used by people who have breathing problems like Sleep Apnea. CPAP Machine is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep your breathing airways open while sleeping. We provide CPAP machines on rent along with BiPAP Machine In Delhi NCR which may also be used in the treatment of preterm infants whose lungs have not fully developed. For example, doctors may use CPAP to treat infants who have respiratory distress syndrome or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CPAP is one of the best treatments for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Sleep apnea is a common disorder that causes gaps in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. As a result, not sufficient air reaches the lungs. In Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), your airway gets collapses or gets blocked during sleep. When you try to breathe, any air that squeezes past the blockage can generate noisy snoring. Your snoring may result in other people waking up in the house.

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The continuous positive airway pressure - CPAP machine has become a lifesaver for individuals with sleep apnea, helping them enjoy uninterrupted and restful sleep. However, buying a CPAP machine can be a significant investment. For those looking for a more affordable and convenient solution, CPAP machine on rent is a practical choice. Here you will understand the CPAP machine and how you can use one.

Before diving into CPAP, it's essential to understand the gravity of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep. These interruptions can be brief or last for minutes and can occur multiple times throughout the night. Common symptoms include loud snoring, choking, gasping for air, and excessive daytime fatigue.

[meffez]

the thing about having untreated OSA is you’re like wow. every second of this sucks. and when you get treated, it’s like wow. every second of that sucked.

[coherentmicom]

https://www.timessquarereporter.com/health/obstructive-sleep-apnea-osa-pipeline-market-is-estimated-to-witness-high-growth-owing-to-rising-prevalence-of-sleep-disorders

[ricisidro]

LIVE: TVUP Health Updates Webinar #203

August 2, 2024 (Friday) 12nn

"Tumitigil ang Paghinga Habang Tulog?"

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), A Silent Epidemic

#ObstructiveSleepApnea #OSA #SleepApnea #sleepstudy #CPAP #cpapmachine

https://www.youtube.com/live/7iDXvSgwGN4?si=YXnh4usvUw2_o9SS

[milionwnecie]

Zaskakujące fakty o chrapaniu, o których powinieneś wiedzieć

Czy zdarza ci się chrapać podczas snu? Jeśli tak, być może jesteś ciekawy, dlaczego to się dzieje i jakie są przyczyny tego niezwykłego zjawiska. Chrapanie jest przede wszystkim uciążliwe zarówno dla śpiącego, jak i dla innych osób przebywających w pobliżu. Jednak oprócz tego, że może być niekomfortowe, chrapanie może również wskazywać na pewne poważniejsze problemy zdrowotne. Dziś podzielę się z…

[zillychu]

my favorite door labels in a hospital so far:

OFFICE OF DECADENT AFFAIRS: I imagine this is where people go to dress up as whimsical English gentlefolk and daintily sip expensive tea and nibble on the richest of pastries. (this did not in fact actually read "office of descendant affairs")

OSHA RISK: where employees go to do all the tempting, forbidden violations to get it out of their system. a scary waiver must be signed to proceed into this room I think. (it wasn't a patient's room and didn't actually say OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) risk)

JIVE ROOM: doctors are so serious all the time because periodically, they must sneak into one of these rooms to dance all the silly out of them before returning to Serious Doctor Business. (JIT stands for "just in time" concerning daily supply shipments, but that has nothing to do with this)

[mindblowingscience]

US regulators on Friday approved the first drug treatment for sleep apnea, permitting the use of a weight-loss medication for the condition that affects millions of Americans. "This is a major step forward for patients with obstructive sleep apnea," US Food and Drugs Administration official Sally Seymour said in a statement announcing approval of Zepbound to treat moderate to severe sleep apnea in obese patients. Zepbound, from drugmaker Eli Lilly, is already approved for people who are obese or overweight and have a related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a dangerous condition in which breathing stops intermittently while a person sleeps.

Continue Reading.

[rina-vs-the-backlog-monster]

Before I was diagnosed with OSA (and eventually SOSA), I knew I had some bad sleep issues and that my sleep was awful.

The moment that was the turning point for me where I felt like I needed to get a sleep test done was when I was sitting at work, organizing a database on a computer and suddenly saw the bottom half of a head -- like, the neck up to the tongue and lower teeth of the jaw. It was just there in front of me, where the monitor was. Sitting there, existing as half of a head.

I could see the monitor, but I could also see the bottom half of the head and I'm like, "You know, I probably shouldn't be seeing this." On that note, I'd like to thank horror movies for desensitizing me to things like that, because I'm sure that moment could have been a lot worse.

i dont know who needs to hear this today but you are not being beset with visions. get tested for sleep apnea

[sunbentshadows]

“Upper airway resistance syndrome was identified in adults nearly 25 years ago by medical researchers at Stanford University. It's a form of sleep- disordered breathing in which people get slightly less air than they should because some part of their airway is too narrow and—though they're not actually in danger—their body perceives they're suffocating and wakes them up.”

“The American Academy of Sleep Medicine categorizes UARS as a form of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA)—but UARS's effects are subtler and its diagnosis trickier than the apnea most people are familiar with. Because the research on it is broad but rather shallow—and includes few randomized, controlled trials—sleep experts disagree about almost every aspect of the disorder, from whether it's distinct from OSA to the best therapies to ameliorate it. The exact prevalence of UARS isn't known—in part because it's thought to be so underdiagnosed—[…]”

“That said, there are some established facts about UARS: While OSA is associated with being older, heavier, and male, UARS sufferers are typically younger, leaner, and predominantly female, according to epidemiological data. A petite build may be a risk factor, because smaller bodies have smaller airways, which can be more easily crowded by adenoids, the tongue, and the uvula, as well as relaxation of the throat during sleep. […] High blood pressure commonly occurs in tandem with OSA; the opposite is true for UARS, in which blood pressure can be so low that it leads to fainting and chronically cold extremities. UARS patients don't always snore or stop breathing—symptoms a bed partner would likely notice—but they tend to complain of greater fatigue than people with standard apnea do.”

If you have unrelenting fatigue, PLEASE do yourself a favor and get yourself a sleep study. This disorder is criminally underdiagnosed in people who are young / female / thin / fit (pick any).

[toomanyacronyms]

Sometimes I Feel Like A Faker

I use the right scale myself. But I don't have pain, so I don't use it to rate pain severity. I use it to rate symptom severity. I'm usually a 3-4, sometimes a 5-6. When I'm out walking for more than 20 minutes, I easily hit a 7-8 which takes hours to recover from. But when I translate it to the left one for healthcare professionals, I'm being told I'm exaggerating and lying. Like no, those numbers are true. I have reached a 10 on the regular scale via symptom severity. It just looks different to you because I don't experience chronic pain like everyone expects me to. I really need to just have this picture on my tablet or phone ready to show all healthcare professionals that I'm not lying.

It's like I'm supposed to be able to push past symptoms because I don't have chronic pain, but some of my symptoms involve pain that comes under certain conditions. I feel like a faker because I get sever symptoms, but because they rarely come with chronic pain, I'm left feeling like I'm faking.

[jodilin65]

Right now, it’s after midnight on the 26th, but I may not have the energy to edit and post this until later on.

So yesterday morning was my virtual meeting to discuss the results of my home sleep apnea test. Right away, she reconfirmed that I have mild sleep apnea, and I felt both elated and relieved. I was thinking, yay, even though it would be a little tough to get used to, all I would have to do would be to get the CPAP, use it regularly, and restore my energy.

Then she drops a bomb on me—even though Wesper only tests for OSA and not CSA—and tells me that there’s evidence to suggest I also have CSA, and I should still have an in-lab sleep study done. So there went my good mood, making me wonder if my recent strangulation dream was a warning sign. Most of the dreams I have where something bad happens to me or others usually means bad things follow. Not always, but usually. 

So as part of the 8-page report, they said this:

DIAGNOSIS: Findings are consistent with Mild Obstructive and Central Sleep Apnea (based on an AHI = 14.9, CAI = 6.2) associated with significant oxygen desaturation (O₂ nadir = 87.0%) (G47.33) (clinical correlation is recommended to determine if further evaluation for cardiac/neurologic etiologies of CSA is indicated).

Tom and I talked about it, and I hope to hell he’s right when he believes that they just want to cover all their bases, leave no stones unturned, and that I likely do not have CSA. We agreed that I would give this CPAP we’re about to order a month or so, and as the report also says, and then if I’m not finding relief, I’ll look into an in-lab sleep study to find out what else could be going on.

Here’s the problem if I do have CSA: the CPAP suddenly becomes hundreds of dollars wasted because I would likely then need to switch to an ASV. Much worse than that would be the driving cause of CSA, usually something like heart failure or some kind of neurological issue. Occasionally, they can’t find any reason at all, but it seems that it’s usually heart failure. If I do have CSA caused by heart failure, I’m kind of fucked because according to the stats I read, it would really shorten my life.

Neither Tom nor I can see this, though. He said, “Someday you’ll get something terrible, but not today.” Well, hopefully I don’t because that would mean I go before he does. I would prefer to stay happy and healthy until he goes, and then go with him.

The report was quite detailed. It’s great that I don’t snore (Tom saw me napping the other day, breathing through my nose and as quiet as a mouse), and I read that most people with sleep apnea actually don't snore.

Yesterday I had unusually good energy, but I stupidly downed a melatonin last night because I was too stressed out to fall asleep and that caused me to sleep shitty and wake up feeling groggy. Melatonin can cause nightmares, and it did—something about a giant palmetto bug. At least I got to have fun chatting on the phone with Nane while Tom and I rearranged our living room—wherever it was—and I enjoyed the sound of her sexy voice.

Anyway, even though things usually aren’t that simple for me and I rarely get any breaks or off easily, I’m trying not to dwell on the bad feeling that says the CPAP won’t cut it and that I’m never going to get my health back. I’m trying to tell myself Tom’s right (and he often is) and the CPAP alone will be enough to restore my energy. Then again, it doesn’t matter what I tell myself, think, or believe, because whatever is going to happen is going to happen. The CPAP alone is either going to help or not, and it doesn’t matter what we think or believe.

I just feel so bad for Tom. At the same time I love the hell out of him and appreciate him like crazy because he’s done so much for me and been there for me, I almost feel like I’m robbing him of his retirement since so much of his hard-earned money and time he could enjoy and spend doing other things is going into my health instead. I’ve offered to end myself so he can save money and have an easier life, but he is absolutely, adamantly, 100% against that idea. If my suffering doesn’t stop, though, it’s not going to matter what he thinks or believes or wants either. As I’ve said a million times before, I can only take so much.

Doing an in-lab test and having to switch out a CPAP for an ASV wouldn’t be so much an issue—even though that will cost us more money and be a real pain in the ass—as the cause of the CSA would be, if that’s what I have. So fingers crossed that the CPAP is enough and there’s nothing wrong with my brain or heart!

I signed a release for Rhonda to give Circle Medical my records, but I’m not sure what Rhonda is getting in return. Therefore, I updated her and let her know I was going to give the CPAP a chance and then do an in-lab study if that wasn’t enough.

My insurance has a new challenge where you pick one of three activities—be it mindful breathing, swapping a sugary drink for water, or moving for fun—and I picked the last one since I hit the road most days. You log in daily for points. I made it to Slovakia yesterday, but I have no energy to ride today. I’m exhausted. I resolved to take half a clonazepam before bed and then again if I wake up in the middle of my sleep, unable to get back to sleep, until I adjust to the CPAP. Hopefully, Rhonda will give me a refill if I ask for one. This bottle had 90 pills in it, but that was from early December.

So much for thinking retirement would be fun and easy till it got close to the end.

It's now before midnight on the 26th, and I'm armed with more information and slightly more energy, although not much. I was too tired and lazy to go through the whole sleep report and have AI interpret the numbers and medical terms for me, but without even asking him, Tom was kind enough to go through them. He feels even more confident that I don't have CSA, but even if I do, he believes the CPAP will eliminate it. He also read that a CPAP can trigger CSA temporarily. I hope he's right as usual! I'm so tired of battling health issues. If this needed further evaluation and I did have a heart or neurological condition, it could suck every last dime right out of us. This is the wrong country for things like that. We'll never move or have extra money to do much of anything, whether I have the energy for it or not, if things keep coming up like this. I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll get better with just the CPAP alone. Honestly, I never sensed myself getting anything that serious anytime soon. That doesn't mean I still don't fear being plagued with sleep and health issues. Hopefully, however, I'll get a break soon enough. I don't know how long it will last, but I'll savor every moment of it.

He also learned that my barely mild sleep apnea is now just one event away from being moderate, which fits with the worsening fatigue I’ve had since last September or October. Where I was having 5 events an hour when first tested, now it's up to 14. One more, and I would be in the moderate zone. If this is what mild feels like, I'd hate to test out severe! It goes to prove yet again that ignoring problems doesn't make them better. They either stay the same or get worse. If there really is a curse on my sleep, though, and the CPAP helps, something else will come up to disturb my sleep. I just hate that I can't always nap when I'm exhausted.

We're hoping that the CPAP we picked out will be here by Friday at the latest. It's going to be rough getting adjusted, but none of this has been easy. A half a decade of super fatigue is not easy. A couple of poor retirees coming up with $1100 for all this shit is not easy. 

I also don't sleep on my stomach as much as I thought I did, though I probably used to. But because I have a harder time breathing on my stomach, I actually sleep on my left side the most. However, that seems to be where I have most of the apneas, mixed or not. I think I sleep on my left side most because that's the side my body pillow is on, even though it aggravates my TMJ at times, and I have to change positions.

If the CPAP helps, it should greatly help with my breathing and mood. We're now pretty sure that what anxiety or depression I feel these days, along with the shortness of breath, is likely linked more to the sleep apnea as opposed to the climate or medication. That doesn't mean I still don't have asthma and allergies, but I suspect the bulk of it is the sleep apnea, because on the few days here and there where I have more energy, I don't feel as bad otherwise.

Because my sleep apnea has worsened after losing a little weight, it makes me wonder if it's age-driven as opposed to weight-driven, and I read that very well could be the case since the throat muscles lose their tone and strength, and things do change with age.

That feeling in my neck is not nearly as noticeable anymore, and when I ran the symptoms through Doctronic, it thought it was most likely some kind of musculoskeletal issue.

Damn, I'm so damn fatigued I gotta go lay down before I proofread this.

[speechandot]

SLEEP DISORDERS AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

Children facing sleep disorders may experience issues such as learning impairments and behavioral problems. It is crucial to address sleep disorders in children promptly to manage the condition and prevent potential harm to their development. At Speech and Occupational Therapy of North Texas, our trained staff can diagnose and treat various sleep disorders in children.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): OSA occurs when a child’s airways are blocked or restricted during sleep. Enlarged tonsils, excessive soft tissue near the airways, obesity, or distortions in airway size can contribute to OSA. Roughly 5% of children may be affected by OSA.

Parasomnias: Parasomnias encompass behaviorally based sleep disorders like sleepwalking, nightmares, and sleep-talking. About 50% of children experience some form of parasomnia, influenced by genetics and aggravated by lack of sleep.

Behavioral Insomnia: Behavioral insomnia is an acquired inability to fall or stay asleep, affecting up to 30% of children. Sleep-onset insomnia occurs when a child refuses to sleep until a demand is met while limit-setting insomnia results from parents not setting or enforcing sleep-related rules.

Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder: This disorder occurs when children’s circadian clocks are offset by external stimuli, most commonly light exposure. Factors like body temperature, meal timing, and physical activity can also disrupt sleep schedules.

Restless Leg Syndrome: Children with restless leg syndrome experience an uncomfortable urge to move their legs due to discomfort or pain. Hyperactivity, iron deficiency, and genetics can trigger this syndrome. Diagnosis can be challenging, and while there’s no cure, treatment plans are available to alleviate symptoms.

If you need assistance in treating your child’s sleep disorders, please contact us at Speech and Occupational Therapy of North Texas to schedule a consultation and establish a tailored treatment plan for your child.

[anshobecure]

Discover the essential facts about Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and its impact on your health. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and lifestyle changes to improve your sleep quality.

[altheterrible]

The thing I like most about having a medical condition that's so rare that no one even knows its actual incidence rate is how I've suffered from extreme fatigue and poor sleep for 5 years because no one I saw for help knew enough about diaphragm paralysis to know it can effect sleep quality.

So instead, when I had my first sleep test, I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Diaphragm paralysis mimics the effects OSA on the body, but usually requires BPAP instead of CPAP to treat.

I've been through 3 sleep tests and 5 years of increasingly severe fatigue because I was the first person involved in my healthcare to Google "diaphragm paralysis and sleep."

[arisuchan]

What to Expect from a Home Sleep Apnea Test?

A home sleep apnea test is a convenient and effective way to screen for obstructive sleep apnea from the comfort of your own bed. Designed to monitor breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and airflow, this portable test provides essential data that helps doctors assess your sleep health. It’s especially helpful for those experiencing symptoms like loud snoring, daytime fatigue, or restless sleep. Unlike overnight lab studies, home tests are simple to use, cost-effective and less intrusive. In this guide,we’ll walk you through what to expect from a home sleep apnea from setup and usage to results and follow-up.

Understanding the Purpose of a Home Sleep Apnea Test

A home sleep apnea test is primarily used to detect signs of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a common disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It helps identify disrupted breathing patterns, low oxygen levels, and irregular heart rates—all indicators of potential sleep apnea. The test is ideal for individuals with mild to moderate symptoms who prefer the comfort of testing at home rather than spending a night in a lab. Though less comprehensive than a polysomnography, it provides sufficient data for most initial diagnoses, giving healthcare providers a solid foundation for recommending treatment or further evaluation.

Getting Ready for the Test Night

Preparing for a home sleep apnea test involves a few easy steps. First, avoid caffeine, alcohol, or heavy meals close to bedtime, as they can affect your sleep quality. Follow any specific instructions provided with the test kit. Make sure the device is fully charged or has working batteries. Clean and dry your skin where sensors will be placed to ensure proper adhesion. Try to go to bed at your usual time, and keep your sleep environment quiet and dark. Following these preparations helps ensure accurate results and a smoother testing experience overall.

How the Testing Equipment Works?

Most home sleep apnea test kits include a nasal cannula, a chest or abdominal belt, and a fingertip pulse oximeter. The nasal cannula monitors airflow, the belt tracks respiratory effort, and the oximeter measures oxygen levels and heart rate. Some devices may also include a microphone to detect snoring or sensors to track body position. These components work together to record your physiological data while you sleep. The devices are user-friendly and designed for easy setup with minimal discomfort. Some modern tests connect to apps or cloud-based platforms to automatically transmit results to your healthcare provider for analysis.

Setting Up the Device Before Sleep

Setting up the home sleep apnea test is usually straightforward and comes with clear instructions or a demonstration video. First, attach the nasal cannula gently under your nostrils and secure it around your ears. Wrap the chest or abdominal belt around your torso snugly to ensure it doesn’t shift during the night. Place the pulse oximeter on your index finger and secure it with medical tape or a soft strap. Power on the device and confirm it’s recording properly, indicated by lights or screen notifications. Once setup is complete, you can go to sleep as usual while the device collects data.

During the Night What Happens While You Sleep

As you sleep, the device silently records your breathing patterns, oxygen levels, pulse rate, and body movement. There’s no need to worry about noises or interruptions from the equipment most devices are small and non-intrusive. It’s important to sleep naturally, in your usual position and environment. If any sensors become loose, it might affect the quality of data collected, but many devices can still gather useful information. You won’t feel anything unusual during the test, and the device will stop recording when you wake up. This passive process allows for accurate tracking of your typical sleep behavior.

After the Test Returning or Uploading Your Data

Once you wake up, carefully remove the sensors and device components. Depending on the type of test, you’ll either return the equipment to the provider or upload the data to a secure online platform. Some kits come with prepaid shipping labels for hassle-free returns. If the test was app-based, results may be transmitted automatically. The recorded data is then reviewed by a qualified sleep specialist or your doctor. They’ll analyze patterns in your breathing and oxygen levels to determine if sleep apnea is present and, if so, how severe it is. Results are usually available within a few days.

What Happens Next Diagnosis and Treatment Options?

After reviewing your home sleep apnea test results, your healthcare provider will discuss the findings and next steps. If the test indicates sleep apnea, they may recommend treatment such as lifestyle changes, CPAP therapy, or further testing in a sleep lab for more complex cases. If no sleep disorder is found, other potential causes for your symptoms may be explored. The test results help guide a personalized treatment plan aimed at improving your sleep quality and overall health. Taking this first step at home empowers you to address sleep issues quickly and conveniently, putting you on the path to better rest.

Conclusion

A home sleep apnea test offers a simple,convenient and effective way to evaluate potential sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea. With easy setup, minimal discomfort, and accurate monitoring tools, it allows you to undergo testing in the comfort of your own bed. While it may not capture all the details of an in-lab study, it provides valuable insights that help doctors make informed decisions about your sleep health. If you’ve been experiencing symptoms like snoring, fatigue, or restless nights, a home sleep apnea test could be the first step toward better sleep and improved overall well-being.