What To Do When You’ve Been Diagnosed with Sleep Apnea
Posted on Mar 06, 2012 - Category: Sleep apnea managementAfter receiving the diagnosis of sleep apnea, lots of patients may wonder what the next step in their care is and if there is anything they can do in order to improve their condition. Medicine has not yet developed a cure for sleep apnea but there are many ways the symptoms and chance of long term serious side effects of sleep apnea can be decreased. Some long term side effects that sleep apnea may cause include congestive heart failure and possibly even death. Generally, sleep apnea supplies such as CPAP therapy are used in conjunction with other methods of treatment and can be extremely effective in curbing the effects sleep apnea can have on a patient’s health.
Patients may be sent for medical tests such as a polysomnogram that can help determine the type of sleep apnea supplies that will be the most beneficial for the patient’s condition. Sleep apnea supplies that are prescribed by a doctor, sleep specialist or center are commonly CPAP machines or devices. CPAP machines utilize continuous positive airway pressure to ensure that a patient’s airways remain open while the patient is sleeping. Sleep apnea supplies that may be used in conjunction with CPAP machines include: face masks, humidifying chambers, securing straps, facial cushions and various connecting tubes for the machine. Sleep apnea supplies can be purchased for a medical supplies vendor. A sleep specialist can help patients determine the best fit and function for their lifestyle.
Sleep apnea supplies are not only limited to CPAP machines and masks. Many other methods of treatment can be effective in augmenting the treatment given by traditional sleep apnea supplies. Weight control can be beneficial in treatment of sleep apnea. Obesity worsens sleep apnea because fat deposits accumulate around the neck and central abdominal region. An increased amount of neck fat contributes to obstruction of the airway. Large amounts of central obesity make inspiration and expiration more difficult because the muscles required for respiration have to work harder to heave the chest up and down.
Sleep apnea supplies can also include supplies that can curb habitual smoking. Smoking worsens sleep apnea because it decreasing a patient’s resting lung capacity. While patients are sleeping, decreased lung capacity can contribute to cessation of breathing. Narrowed airways caused by allergies can also make sleep apnea worse. Ensuring the central air conditioning system and utilized sleep apnea supplies have new filters can help reduce the prevalence of allergen induced narrowing of the airways.
Sleep apnea supplies can be extremely beneficial for patients who are diagnosed with sleep apnea. It is important that patients first discuss their treatment options with their physician or healthcare provider in order to minimize the risk of making the condition worse. It is imperative that patient’s follow their physician’s prescribed treatment. Sleep apnea does not have to be a life-threatening condition. With proper adjustments to a patient’s lifestyle and the addition of sleep apnea supplies, sleep apnea can become a manageable condition with little impact on the quality of a patient’s life.
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