SLEEP APNEA DEVICES

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends using the following definition for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome. A patient must meet either criterion A or B plus criterion C:

A.    Excessive daytime sleepiness that is not better explained by other factors

B.    Two or more of the following that are not better explained by other factors:

a.     Choking or gasping during sleep

b.    Recurrent awakenings from sleep

c.     Unrefreshing sleep

d.    Daytime fatigue

e.    Impaired concentration

C.    Overnight monitoring demonstrates five or more obstructed breathing events per hour during sleep

Your physician will determine if you have sleep apnea and what is the most beneficial treatment available for you. Generally, the most effective and widely accepted treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure therapy. It does not involve drugs or surgery. A bedside device gently delivers pressurized air via a mask to keep your upper airway open. Sleep Apnea Device options, are as follows:

• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) provides one constant air pressure all through the night.
• Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) therapy automatically varies the pressure all through the night and from night to night. It actively responds to the continuous changes in your upper airway.
• Bi-level therapy provides a higher pressure when you breathe in and a lower pressure when you breathe out.