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The use of a CPAP machine is still considered the gold standard when it comes to the treatment of sleep apnea. The problem? The average sleep apnea patient is either completely adverse to its use, declining it altogether, or does not use it optimally.

This is made more difficult by the fact that titration is usually done in a lab setting, slowly increasing the pressure to help a patient acclimate. The good news is that there are now autoadjusting CPAP devices, also known as ACPAP, that take away some of the irritation patients feel about the entire process. (more…)

Do you doze off while driving? If so, you are not alone. You may be surprised to learn that thousands of drivers will nod off while driving each and every day. For some of those who fall asleep while driving, tragedy will happen. This can result in injury or death to the driver, passengers, or to others on the road. But there is good news for those who have this problem.

Generally speaking, dozing off behind the wheel is caused by not getting enough good, restful sleep during the night before. There are can be many reasons for people to suffer from poor sleep, from the medical condition known as narcolepsy to poor sleeping habits. Thankfully, there are ways to treat most of the sleeping disorders and sleeping problems. (more…)

Millions of people snore each night. This condition is not only a problem for the one snoring, but can also be a problem for the spouse or others in the house. No one gets a peaceful night’s rest when someone is sawing logs, as they used to say.

Another condition, and this one can be very serious, is known as sleep apnea. It is also called OSA which stands for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This is a medical condition in which the upper air passages close off (or reduce in size), which interrupts the person’s ability to breathe. At some point, this lack of air will cause the person to come away suddenly, at which time, breathing returns to normal. It has been estimate that over 18 million US adults have some form of OSA. (more…)

Most people are aware when they have obstructive sleep apnea. You may find yourself waking in the night, or may feel unusually tired during the day. You might have even been told by your partner that you often cease breathing momentarily in the night, or appear to struggle for breath.

However, whilst many are aware that they suffer with OSA to some degree, they’re less often aware of how severe their condition is. In order to ascertain whether sleep apnea is mild, moderate or severe, further tests are likely to be required.

Sleep Studies: The Benefits?

When you visit a sleep apnea specialist about your condition, it’s possible that they may recommend a sleep study, in order to gain better insight into the exact nature of the problem. (more…)

Obstructive sleep apnea is a very common condition, affecting millions across the US. For many people, it’s a relatively minor issue; and can often be resolved simply by losing weight, or making certain lifestyle choices. However, for others, it can be a serious problem; and can have a significant negative impact on their lives.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether your problem is worthy of treating or not. Here are a few signs to look out for, which may indicate that you need to visit a sleep apnea specialist as soon as possible. (more…)

The severity of obstructive sleep apnea varies from patient to patient. Of the 12 million sufferers in the US, many will only experience mild problems, which may not require any treatment at all. However, for those who find that OSA has a negative impact on the quality of their lives, seeking medical assistance is likely to be the most practical solution.

How Can You Tell If You Need Treatment?

The first step is to book an appointment with a qualified sleep apnea specialist. At your consultation, you’ll be asked a number of questions, in order to ascertain the severity of your obstructive sleep apnea. (more…)

OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea, occurs as a result of partial or total blockage in the upper airway during sleep. It’s an episodic condition, which means that it can occur several times during the night. During an episode, the chest muscles and diaphragm have to work harder to get air into the lungs, due to the blockage.

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition. In fact, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, over 12 million people suffer with the syndrome in the US alone. (more…)

Blackstone Medical Services is proud to have been acknowledged by the Tampa Bay Business Journal was one of the Top Medical Technology Companies (as ranked by # of employees). Check it out (or click here to see the larger PDF version)

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There are several criteria that doctors follow for diagnosing OSA. These include how the patient reports their sleeping habits, family medical history, personal medical history, and the result of studies they may be ordered to get a more clinical overview of how well a patient sleeps. When OSA is first suspected, either by the patient or doctor, one of the first recommendations made is to create a sleep journal. It is basically a detailed accounting of sleeping habits and observations. Patients are asked to record the times they go to sleep, notes on the quality of sleep, and how they feel after resting. Important signs such as headaches and fatigue, especially after what is considered a normal amount of sleep, can be an indication of sleep disturbances. (more…)

When it comes to undergoing a sleep study to rule out or diagnose OSA, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, it is important to understand what the test will involve, as well as how best to prepare for the procedure. The level of preparation required depends on whether the patient is going to have the test performed at a sleep lab, or at home.

Sleep Lab Procedures

When it comes to visiting a sleep lab for a study, it is important to remember that you will be spending the night. Some facilities will send patients letters, or give them a courtesy call to go over what they should bring, or expect. (more…)