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What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea literally means not breathing during sleep. Patients with sleep apnea intermittently stop breathing or develop shallow breathing during sleep. The two main types of sleep apnea are obstructive sleep apnea, often referred to as OSA, and central sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea there is periodic narrowing and/or complete obstruction of the upper airways (throat, pharynx, and larynx). In central sleep apnea the airways remain open and there is an absence or reduction of the effort to breathe. Central sleep apnea can be associated with neurological and/or cardiac problems which cause interference with the brain’s signal to initiate breathing. Both types of sleep apnea may occur in the same patient.
The importance of diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition affecting many millions of people and which, if not diagnosed and treated, can result in severe snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, lost productivity, sexual dysfunction, depression and cause or exacerbate high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes as well as heart and other medical problems. Individuals with symptoms such as snoring, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, obesity and other conditions may be suffering from OSA and should be tested and, if diagnosed, treated. OSA indirectly causes problems for others including bed partners, employers and for society in general. Get Tested Now
Of particular importance for drivers and employers in the trucking industry Driver fatigue has received a lot of attention in the media. Employers, regulators, attorneys, and insurance companies are more aware of sleep issues, healthcare cost associated with OSA and liability. It is anticipated that in the near future the FMCSA and/or other regulatory government agencies will mandate standards for OSA testing and treatment. Whether or not you agree with some of the published statistics about sleep apnea and driver fatigue we are stuck with various regulations so let’s make the best of the situation in the most cost effective way! Besides it is certain that proper treatment of sleep apnea will improve almost all aspects of your health, allow you to live longer and improve your overall quality of life. For more detailed information about Sleep Apnea in Truckers visit our affiliate Sleep Solutions 4 Truckers Click Here
Other Sleep Disorders
A sleep disorder is any condition which interferes with normal sleep patterns. Sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, and abnormal leg movements are just some of the sleep disorders of which you may be aware. Sleep disorders affect upwards of 50 million Americans and approximately 15-20 million have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Your Risk of Sleep Apnea
There are serious consequences of undiagnosed and untreated OSA !
There are serious consequences of untreated sleep apnea. In addition to loss of productivity, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, severe snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, untreated sleep apnea can cause and/or aggravate sexual dysfunction, depression, high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes, heart and other medical problems and even death. OSA may also cause problems for bed partners, employers and for society in general.
Get a Home Sleep Test if you think that you may have sleep apnea
If you have some of the symptoms or medical conditions listed above, you may be at risk for OSA. Discuss this with your doctor or DOT examiner and ask him/her to order a Home Sleep Test (HST). A prescription is required for a Home Sleep Test. Your doctor may call us at any time to obtain the necessary prescription forms or can download and print the forms from this website. If you don’t have a doctor that you see regularly, contact us and we will try to help you find a qualified physician near your location. Get Tested Now
Treatments for OSA
The current standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, commonly abbreviated as CPAP. CPAP treatment involves sleeping with a mask (on the nose, nose and mouth, or face) connected to a small blower machine which produces a back pressure on the upper airways to keep them open and maintain normal breathing during sleep. CPAP is used by millions of patients and commercial drivers to successfully treat their sleep apnea. A prescription is required for a CPAP machine.CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CPAP
What if you cannot or will not tolerate CPAP therapy?
Other treatments for OSA are somewhat limited. Several other options such as oral/dental appliances, upper airway surgery or laser treatments, jaw advancement, bariatric surgery, and sleep positional therapy may be effective in selected patients with mild to moderate and in some cases of more severe obstructive sleep apnea. These types of treatments are highly specialized, may require additional evaluation and/or consultation and must be discussed with your physician or a dentist who is experienced in oral appliance therapy. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ORAL APPLIANCE THERAPY
Unfortunately, CPAP is the only treatment that is currently acceptable in the trucking industry since an effective way to monitor compliance/adherence has not yet been devised for these alternative forms of treatment although new oral appliances with a microchip for compliance are being tested. In some situations, significant weight loss with or without bariatric (stomach reduction) surgery may be acceptable if a repeat sleep test shows resolution of OSA but these potential solutions are not short term. Ongoing research in sleep medicine may lead to new and novel treatments for sleep apnea.
More ways to help yourself if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea
Additional recommendations, many of which are common sense, have been shown to benefit patients with obstructive sleep apnea. These include weight loss, avoidance of respiratory depressant medications at bedtime, not driving or operating machinery when drowsy or sleepy, and not sleeping on your back. For all sleep disorders including OSA good sleep hygiene should be practiced. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and heavy, spicy or sugary foods, and strenuous exercise 2-4 hours before bedtime. Avoid daytime naps, keep bedroom quiet, well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature. Don't watch TV in bed, reserve the bedroom for sleep and sex, relax before bedtime and don’t take your worries or work to sleep. Of course you should always first check with and follow the recommendations of your doctor or other healthcare professional. Get Tested Now
NO MEDICAL ADVICE
The information contained on this website is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Medical Diagnostic Solutions recommends that patients consult with their healthcare professional.
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