Apnea

Question: How can you get a sleep apnea test done without any insurance? My fiance has sleep apnea and needs a sleep test done so that he can get the machine to help make it better. He has no insurance as he is out of work. We have been trying to find free sleep tests in Ohio but have had no luck.

Answer: alot of medical research companies have free testing for certain types of illnesses. Go to the NIH website. That is National Institue of Health. Or contact a medical school or a University hospital associated with one.

Question: Can a person bring a sleep apnea machine aboard an airplane when flying internationally? I have sleep apnea and use a sleep apnea breathing machine when sleeping (no oxygen) with a mask and distilled water. When travelling on an airplane internationally can I bring it with me so it is with me at the other country when I get there?

Answer: Hello ! I know that most personnel at security checkpoints in airports are familiar with CPAP machines. t's advisable to carry along your prescription and/or statement of medical necessity from your physician so that you can demonstrate the need for your CPAP machine. I found from different sources that many CPAP users report no problems getting through the X-ray machine and passing the subsequent explosives and chemical tests, while others are forced to check their CPAP machines because they don't pass the X-ray check. My recommendation would therefore be to expect to be able to take your CPAP machine on an airplane with you, but don't be surprised if you end up having to check it. And don't forget your prescription from your doctor! Good luck!

Question: How well does a tonsillectomy cure sleep apnea? I have sleep apnea and have a tonsillectomy scheduled for later this year. How well does this fix sleep apnea?

Answer: Tonsillectomies alone do not 'cure' sleep apnea. Surgical remedies for sleep apnea usually are for those patients that do not respond well to other treatments, usually surgery is a last resort. The correct term for the surgery is called a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, it removes parts or all of the uvula, soft palate, tonsils, adenoids, and pharynx. Its success rate is about 50%. Basically its a coin flip. The tonsillectomy could work, only if its enlarged. Same goes with the other parts that I listed above. The enlarged tissue(s) tend to obstruct your airway when you sleep, especially when you lie on your back. I would recommend getting a second opinion and see if your doctor would recommend a sleep study performed on you. Also check with your insurance if it is covered. Usually, sleep apnea can be resolved with diet and treatment using a CPAP machine (Continous Positive Airway Pressure). It can significantly improve your sleep. Good luck and have a good night's sleep!

Question: How do you turn the pressure down on a Sleep Apnea Machine? I have Sleep Apnea and need to adjust the air pressure on the machine. I have lost my insurance and can not afford to have it professionally adjusted. If you know how please answer this question. Thanks!

Answer: There are 275,000 different kinds of machines... Ok, not really. But there are so many different kinds, you should include the make of machine. However, a lot of 'home machines' are locked in to a specific setting by the company and cannot be adjusted - without knowing how to unlock it. And, why do you think the air pressure needs to be adjusted? Without a formal sleep study, it's almost impossible to know what pressure you need.

Question: What do you know about sleep apnea surgeries? I hate the mask (as many people do). I have severe obstructive sleep apnea. I am considering surgical options but I've been told the only one that may work for me is the mandibular advancement (when they break your jaw and move it forward). Has anyone had this before? What were your experiences? Did it work? Do you know of any other surgery that may help? Oral appliances?

Answer: I had a mandibular advancement back in the day when they still wired your mouth shut for 6 weeks. (Many surgeons now opt for a screw and plate closure along with tight rubber bands that allow more mouth movement and a little more eating options!) I did have about a year of orthodontics before I could have it done, incidentally, so it was not a quick fix by any means. The surgery itself sounded far worse than it actually was. The most pain I had was like a dull headache in my jaw area. Pain management was not a problem at all. I did miss eating what I wanted and lost significant weight. (What I would do to have that happen now!!!) I missed yawning the most, though! It did fix my sleep apnea completely. I have never even snored since. It was well worth it for me. My 5 year old had tonsils and adenoids removed for the same reason (sleep apnea) with good results as well. I had previously had that surgery, and it was much more painful than the mandibular advancement. I hope this helps! Best of luck to you!

Question: What are some books I can read to research the mental issues caused after a person has sleep apnea? I am doing an assignment on the mental conditions caused after a person is diagnosed with sleep apnea. This means what type of issues they mentally encounter as a result of sleep apnea (such as depression, changes the must do in their environment etc.) And I would like some literature to read and information that Sleep Apnea causes that most would not be aware to know about.

Answer: there are tons of sites dedicated to sleep ( after all you spend like 1/3 of your life doing it.) jsut google " sleep book" or "sleeping disorder" you will have more than you can read .

Question: How long does it take to recover from throat surgery for sleep apnea? I recently had throat surgery for sleep apnea. My throat is exptremely sore, especially when I swollow. How long will this last?

Answer: I had a client who had the same surgery you describe and it took her about 6 weeks to finally feel normal. Take care of yourself and get as much rest as you possibly can - this will help your body heal. You'll probably feel some residual from the surgery (depending on how sensitive you were to the anesthesia they gave you) for about another month or two.

Question: Is sleep apnea considered a pre-existing condition that is not covered by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield? I am considering switching insurance during open enrollment to CareFirst, from Kaiser. I have sleep apnea and am on a CPAP machine. Is this considered a pre-existing condition that would nto be covered, or can it be transferred to the new insurance as durable medical equipment? I am waiting on an answer from CareFirst, but need to make a decision by next week.

Answer: The only time you should be penalized for a pre-existing condition is if their is a gap in your coverage. If there's a period in between switching ins where you do NOT have coverage then yes sleep apnea is a pre- existing diagnosis. Most of the time you will have to provide documentation to your new isns company that you have not had a gap in coverage. You sould be okay to switch.

Question: Is sleep apnea a condition your born with or can u develop it? I used to sleep through the night without waking up most of the time. Now I wake up maybe 3 or 4 times a night. I never get restful sleep. I also experience a lot of sleep paralysis. Could this be linked to sleep apnea?

Answer: What Is Sleep Apnea? Are you feeling sleepy all the time? Do you snore? Is your doctor having a difficult time treating your high blood pressure? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then you might have Sleep Apnea (also called Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA). Sleep Apnea is a condition involving pauses or decreases in breathing during sleep. It is usually due to airway collapse. This collapse occurs in the nose and/or the throat - anywhere from where air enters the nostrils to the back of the tongue. Imagine a straw collapsing when trying to suck on a thick milkshake. Frequently, this airway collapsibility problem is inherited and starts in childhood. In the daytime, it is not a problem because there is good muscle-tone in the airway and the brain monitors breathing. But at night, the throat muscles become relaxed and the brain is not as attentive to the airway. So on inhalation, the airway walls can either completely collapse or significantly narrow. This is a problem because 1) the body must struggle to breathe and 2) the brain has to 'wake up' to reopen the airway. These frequent awakenings lead to fragmentation of nighttime sleep. You may not remember them because they are so short. In fact, patients with sleep apnea can wake-up more than 30 times an hour and think that they slept uninterrupted through the night. Since sleep must be continuous and consolidated in order to be restorative, a number of cognitive problems can occur with sleep fragmentation: daytime sleepiness, memory problems, concentration difficulties, emotional instability, irritability, slowed reaction time, and most importantly, an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. There are also cardiovascular consequences of this constant 'struggling to breathe.' This puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels, leading to increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Finally, there are social implications to Sleep Apnea. The snoring associated with sleep apnea can disrupt the sleep of others. In fact, one study showed that when a person treats his/her sleep apnea, the sleep partner gets the equivalent of one hour more sleep per night. Sleep apnea is a progressive disease and often gets worse with age. Weight gain, alcohol, and other sedating/relaxing substances exacerbate it. Who Gets Sleep Apnea? A common misconception is that only overweight men that snore loudly have sleep apnea, but the facts are: 1) Sleep apnea can occur without snoring 2) Thin people can have sleep apnea 3) Women can have sleep apnea 4) Children can have sleep apnea In other words, anyone can have it. Even skinny women. Even children. I Think I Might Have Sleep Apnea, How Do I Find Out If I Have It? Make an appointment with your primary care physician, or if your insurance allows it, go straight to a sleep specialist. If your physician thinks you might have sleep apnea, then he/she can refer you for a sleep study or comprehensive sleep evaluation. How Is Sleep Apnea Treated? There are four main categories of treatment for sleep apnea: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Surgery, Oral Appliances, and Behavioral Modification. The most effective way to treat sleep apnea is with CPAP. CPAP is a mask worn over the nose attached by a hose to an air compressor. The air compressor gently and quietly blows room-air into the nose, which 'stents' the airway open, preventing airway collapse. This is the most effective way to treat sleep apnea, and all patients diagnosed with sleep apnea should at least try it before considering other options. Surgery can be an effective way to treat sleep apnea. A number of different procedures can be performed. These range from nasal septum repair to jaw reconstruction. Talk to your doctor about whether surgery is the right option for you. An oral appliance is a device made by a dentist or an orthodontist designed to pull your lower jaw forward. By pulling your lower jaw forward, the tongue is pulled away from the back of the throat. If your airway obstruction is occurring behind the tongue, then this can be an effective way to treat your sleep apnea. The treatment of sleep apnea with oral appliance should be a coordinated effort between the sleep physician, the dentist/orthodontist, and the patient. Behavioral modifications can help in the treatment of sleep apnea, but are usually the least effective. These include such techniques as weight loss, sleeping on your side, and avoiding alcohol before bedtime. None of these treatment options is ideal, but they all can be useful in treating sleep apnea and resulting in more restful sleep. With risks like heart attack and stroke, you should do everything you can to get your sleep apnea under control. If you think you have sleep apnea, contact your doctor or go to a sleep center. It could be the best decision you ever made. By: Scott Fromherz Ar

Question: What is the best solution for sleep apnea? I have sleep apnea but Im sure i do not want to use a c-pap or an a-pap machine. Just looking for the next best solution.

Answer: Someone else already said it, but it should be repeated. Get the CPAP. I never thought I would be able to sleep with one. For about a year I told myself that it would not help me sleep, that it would make it more difficult for my wife to sleep, that it would be uncomfortable... The very first night I used CPAP it felt a little akward, but by the end of the first week ALL of my symptoms had disappeared. It has been three years now and I have no more headaches, no more muscle cramps, no more waking up several times a night with horrible heartburn or horrible sweating. My blood pressure and cholesterol have returned to normal. In one week I went from a 25 year old in danger of having a heart attack to a well rested guy who can just enjoy life again. I cannot even begin to explain how much better you will feel. Get the CPAP and try it for a week. Just 7 days. If you can't do it, talk to your doctor. There is a surgical procedure that can reduce apnea, however less then 30% of the people who have it see any significant change and most people must have the surgury repeated throughout their lives to stay symptom free. Most importantly, do not ignore this condition. If you do you will continue to gain weight, the headaches will get worse. Your blood pressure will continue to skyrocket. You will develop holes in your stomach and esophogus from the acid. You will have a potentially fatal heart attack. Left untreated and supervised by a doctor this condition will kill you. Get the CPAP.

Question: Is there any other way to treat sleep apnea than using the mask? I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea recently and have started using the C-Pap machine at night, but i find that i wake up in the middle of the night and take it off because i can't seem to use it right when i roll over . It's frustrating. I just want to sleep thru the night. Any suggestions?

Answer: oral appliances like retaner looking things and stuff, surgeries and such but the cpap is most effective. You may need a new mask. Did you get a fitted properly for the mask, there are a ton so just a pick of small medium large doesn't cover it sometimes, as for the tubing and rolling over My respratory therapist puts a hook above her bed for the tube.

Question: What other problems could be mistaken for sleep apnea? I have many symptoms of sleep apnea but my sleep study shows that it is not an issue. I am tired all the time, no energy or motivation. Depression and anxiety are a major problem. I wake up many times a night feeling like I cannot catch my breath, like my chest is very heavy and not getting enough air/oxygen. What other conditions could cause these symptoms?

Answer: Did they check your limb movements while you were in for the sleep study? Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome & Restless Leg Movement Syndrome can both create excessive daytime sleepiness, as can Idiopathic Hypersomnia. Depression and thyroid problems should also be ruled out. Sleep issues can affect mood and depression issues can affect sleep. It's often difficult to tease the two apart. Because of the breathing problem, allergies and asthma should also be looked at as the potential cause.

Question: I have sleep apnea,bi polar,personality disorder just put in a appeal with si am I wasting my time? I just received my 1st denial letter from ssi. Do you think I have a chance with sleep apnea,bi polar, personality disorder, panic attacks and I receive lots of meds for these conditions.

Answer: Can"t say if your wasting your time or not, however I do know that SSI ALWAYS denies you the first time around. Its procedural. My Father In Law suffered a massive stroke and through the process I found out that they always do that.

Question: What is the best health tool to help sleep apnea? I know there are tools and machines to treat sleep apnea,,which do you recommend that I can order online that isn't a discomfort? Yes.. I;ve heard of apnea monitors but which brand? I get worried when I hear my father snoring then he doesn't breathe for 10 seconds then he takes a deep breath in

Answer: 1 in 5 adults suffer from sleep apnea. It can be very dangerous so if you suspect sleep apnea is a problem it's best to see a doctor immediately. The question is about home remedies. This is not medical advice only a few possibilities to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea. Lose weight - eat less and exercise more Lower blood pressure Stop smoking Stop the cause of heartburn No alcohol or sedatives before going to sleep. Keep regular sleeping times - sleep on your side Raise the head of the bead Dental appliances can sometimes help Use a humidifier Keep sinuses clear Stablize blood sugar Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. However, risk factors include: * Male gender * Being overweight * Being over the age of forty * Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women) * Having larger tonsils * Having a family history of sleep apnea In mild cases of sleep apnea, conservative therapy may be all that is needed. Conservative approaches include: * Lose weight * Avoid alcohol and sleeping pills * Change sleep positions to promote regular breathing * Stop smoking. Smoking can increase the swelling in the upper airway which may worsen both snoring and apnea. * Avoid sleeping on your back The most commonly performed surgical procedures for sleep apnea include: * Somnoplasty: A minimally invasive procedure to reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway. * Nasal surgery: Correction of nasal obstructions such as a deviated septum. * Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP): A procedure that removes soft tissue on the back of the throat and palate, increasing the width of the airway at the throat opening. * Mandibular maxillar advancement surgery: Invasive surgery to correct certain facial abnormalities or throat obstructions that contribute to sleep apnea.

Question: How many teenagers out of every 1000 have sleep apnea ocd anxiety and adhd? I have sleep apnea ocd anxiety and adhd at age 14. Is it really rare for someone my age to have all those problems?

Answer: Do you really want a statistic? Like for a class or a paper, or are you actually comparing to yourself? Who knows how many in 1,000? Perhaps someone who did a study. But as far as ADHD, anxiety, ocd and at least problems sleeping, they can all go together. ADHD seems to have some clusters of symptoms, and sometimes ADHD people have trouble filtering out things that they find irritating. Sleep Apnea can be caused from weight, or chemical things going on in the brain. You could try a couple things to get these a bit under control. First, cut out all caffeine. Cut out all sugary things, soda pop, and wheat products. Try to up your protein intake (real meat, and not fried stuff), and fresh fruits and vegetables. Watch to see what happens. If this helps, great. If you need to, you can also see how removing dairy from your diet works. If these don't help, try to decide if you are under some specific pressure that is bothering you. But do try to eliminate these things, first. It may take 2 or 3 weeks to see the actual result, but it may be worth it. Look up ADHD and candida, or ADHD and food sensitivities, online.

Question: this is for those that have sleep apnea. How do you get used to the cpap machine? I am having a sleep apnea test done soon and may have to use the machine. I had the sleep apnea long time ago but I couldn't get used to the machine so I sent it back.

Answer: Sleep apnea machines and masks have come along way in the last 2 years. 1st make sure that the home care co. that is setting up the equipment will work with you, if they aren't willing to, go to another company! You are the customer and they CAN get you comfortable with something. There are so many different masks & nasal pillows available, not to mention what they are doing with the machines now! Puritan Bennett has a machine that is about the size of the 1st personnal CD players they came out with in the 80's, and Respironics has machines that work with your breathing pattern!(check out their web sites) This is something you need to be pro-active about. Lack of sleep does so many bad things to your body- poor memory, weight gain, depression, etc. Not to mention what the lack of oxygen in your body when you don't breath at night does to your brain and heart. Good Luck!

Question: What to expect at apnea overnight sleep clinic test? I've been given this overnight appointment with no info so I don't know what to expect at all. Can anyone advise please and does anyone out there have experience of sleep apnea?

Answer: I have sleep apnea, a serious case of it too boot. Like you I went in "blind" to my sleep study. I was told to bring clothes, morning ritual stuff, and whatever else that helps you sleep. They usually ask you to be there around 8 or maybe 9p.m. so they can start putting the electrodes on varies part of your body. I had like one on each side of my calves and couple on my chest and 10 various points on my head.(don't worry the goop does wash out of your hair) When you are ready too sleep they will hook up the electrodes to the monitor. All you do is sleep and they will watch you on the camera while they watch your heart beat and breathing. If your wake up sometime in the night and have to use the bathroom,, well its kinda awkward but you have tell them you need to use the bathroom. You just can't get up because you are hooked up to the monitor. They come in, unhook you, go do your business, come back, they hook you back up and you go back to sleep. In the morning they come unhook you and take the electrodes off and you shower and go to work or home if you want. It takes them a couple days come back with a diagnosis. There are different levels of sleep apnea. You are only allowed 15 interruptions an hour for it too not be a problem. Interruptions can be you snoring, tossing and turning, not breathing, heart doing goofy stuff, it goes on but those are the basics. I had an average of 55 interruption's an hour. My brother was 66. I had stopped breathing at one time for about 45 seconds. The way I understand sleep apnea is when you are not going into R.E.M. enough to be getting good sleep. Basically R.E.M. is the time your brain shuts down to get the much needed down time and your body goes into auto mode. Sometimes your body may forget to do the basics when in auto mode and your brain has too wake up and tell you to do them. Don't let this scare you because you would be surprised how much of this actually goes on when we sleep. I also found out through my doctor that sleep apnea does run in family's. My Grandpa, Dad, and Brother all have it and so do I. One thing that contributes to my problem is a small jaw. It's half an inch smaller than should be. Some people go do that thing to their nose to help with the snoring when in fact it is probably the jaw. You might ask about that when you talk to your doctor. I hope I helped and good sleeping.

Question: What else can a sleep apnea test tell you about your health? Went to a sleep apnea test. What else can Physicians tell about such a test. I was hocked up to about 36 different electro cables. Thanks. I looked very funny after being hocked up to all these electrodes. Thanks. I looked very funny after being hocked up to all these electrodes.

Answer: A polysonogram or sleep study can identify about 80 plus different sleep disoders. Sleep apnea is by far the most common. It can tell if you have any siezures or brain wave abnormalities from the EEG They can tell if you have any heart rythm abnormalities from the EKG. The leg wires are EMG and they can tell if you have restless leg syndrome. The wire on your finger can tell what your oxygen level is all night. Other wires include the snore microphone, flow sensor (in the nose), the face electrodes are generally EMG wires. They can tell when you are in REM. The belts around the chest are to show respiratory and abdominal effort. It helps to determine if you have central sleep apnea vs. obstructive sleep apnea. Hope this helps

Question: What are some treatments for sleep apnea? My boyfriend has sleep apnea and snores. It has gotten progressively worse. I am not sure what to do. it seems when i elbow him, he stops temporarily but not long enough for me to fall alseep. It is often so back that it not only prevents me from sleeping but, once i fall asleep, it wakes me up again. HELP!

Answer: Sleep apnea should be diagonsed from a reputable sleep clinic. There may be another reason for his snoring such as weight etc. The usual treatment is sleeping with a positive air flow machine (I think it is called Cpac. If he stops breathing his oxygen level goes down and it can be a very dangerous health condition. Have him see a Dr. that specializes in sleep problems.

Question: What do you do when your husband has been diagnosed with sleep apnea and won't use the machine? My husband has sleep apnea and will not use the machine. He also has diabetes. He goes to work, comes home sleeps for about two hours, goes to bed at 12:00 AM and gets up about 4:30 for work. On the weekends he will sleep if you let him about 14 hours a day. He would do this during the week but he has to go to work. I just don't know what to do. I'm very concerned.

Answer: Unfortunately, there's not much you can do... You can show him all the information about sleep apnea and its deleterious effects on health, how improved sleep can actually improve diabetes, etc etc, but until he decides to do what he needs to do, he'll probably just hear it as "nagging" and ignore you even more industriously. If it gets to be that bad, you could lay down an ultimatum: That if he doesn't start taking better care of himself, you'll leave because you can't stand to watch him take such risks with his health. I would certainly not recommend that, unless the marriage is already irretrievably broken and you would actually be okay with it if he said, "All right, bye then." My sympathies are with you; it's very frustrating to watch someone you care about neglect themselves. Unfortunately, your options are rather limited. I hope someone else has a more productive answer for you. Good luck.