Posted on 08/30/2016 1:39:12 PM PDT by BenLurkin
- The nighttime breathing difficulties of obstructive sleep apnea have long been linked to an increase in cardiovascular risks.
However, a new study throws confusion into that link. While treatment with CPAP did lower sleep apnea symptoms, it did nothing to lower users' long-term odds for heart attack, stroke or heart-related death.
...
McEvoy believes that, for one thing, prior observational studies may have "overestimated" the link between sleep apnea and cardiovascular outcomes. If the link is weaker than was thought, then curbing sleep apnea might not bring about as big a heart benefit as hoped, he reasoned.
Another factor might be that many participants could only use CPAP about three hours a night -- perhaps not long enough to bring about a benefit to the heart, McEvoy said. That rate of compliance does reflect real-world use, however, he added.
McEvoy pointed out that the study participants who were able to use the treatment even a bit longer -- four or more hours -- did show "a trend toward a reduction in stroke."
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
I’ll try it!!! Gonna order on amazon now. Thanks!!!
If it works at all you’ll be my hero!!
I struggled with many different masks, headgear, etc., and found a solution. There is a mask called a tap pap. It is basically nasal pillows held in place via a fitted mouthpiece that goes over your top teeth. Relative comfort, less claustrophobia, and no lines on my face the next day. I was wearing a night guard before, so the mouthpiece was no problem.
endoscopy for sleep apnea!?!?!
I have them because i have barrett’s esophagus.
Never heard of it for what you’re getting.
THEY CALL non stop to see if you need new supplies lol
Bill your insurance company once a month forever for GOD knows what reason.
And now that it’s down that I have apnea, i would have to use it for any hospital stay. Rather die at home lol.
I HATE that machine
My OSA is caused by my tounge being to big. I can only wear that thing 4 hrs, but I sure as hell feel a lot better in the morning
While my problem was indeed exacerbated by my weight, I believe I had the problem even when I was in college and definitely not overweight. Over the years, I added a few pounds each year, then I had a knee injury 14 years ago and my weight increased significantly. My CPAP pressure had to be adjusted up each year, to the point that I didn't want to be compliant with keeping it on all night, but I NEEDED to.
Two years ago I started actively trying to lose weight when I topped 240. I'm now down 40 pounds, and my CPAP pressure is down nearly 50%. I've got at least 20 pounds to go before I reassess how low to go. The studies about long term implications are irrelevant to me - CPAP lets me sleep in peace! That said, I've got to think waking up in the middle of the night with your heart racing and gasping for breath is not a positive thing! ;^)
I think my sister must have that too. She would always faint at the sight of blood when she was a kid.
It took me 4 years to find a mask I could actually sleep in and told my Dr. 2 years ago that if he didnt lower my pressure 2 or 3 inches and try to work with me on it I was gonna go find one that would. I had to use O-2 for 6 months because I was just about dead.
I’ve never known anyone who used/uses a CPAP machine for sleep apnea who was not morbidly obese or close to it, and most are men. All had been overweight for more than 5 years, and were advised by MD and Naturopathic doc both that unless they got on a strict diet now, their lifespan was going to be notably short-one was even offered a gastric bypass, but refused-none of them lost more than a few pounds before starting to pig out again, even gaining more weight.
Only 2 are still among the living-the others had fatal heart events in their sleep, CPAP and all...
If any FReepers need help in this area, I'm your huckleberry.
I am a 57 year old, 250 pound male with a desk job. I am diabetic (as was my father, and 2 of my brothers).
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2000. In retrospect, I definitely had had it for some time. Terrible sleep, waking tired, would drift of to sleep during the day, would have episodes when sleeping where my stomach contents would be coming up my throat, etc.
I have used a BiPAP nightly since being diagnosed in 2000.
It’s not a panacea. It is somewhat uncomfortable, although I am now quite used to it. If you don’t stay on top of keeping it clean, you can get bronchial infections.
The worst thing about it is that for it to work optimally, I have to sleep on my back. That was fine for a number of years, but I eventually developed a back pain problem.
I got one of those beds that allows you to sleep with your legs somewhat elevated. That has helped some with the back.
Nowadays, I get one sleep cycle (about five or five and a half hours of sleep). Then I have to wake up and sit up, in the middle of the night, usually at the computer, for an hour or two. My nasal congestion clears, my back relaxes, I start feeling sleepy again. Then, on good nights, I go back to bed and get another several hours of sleep.
Without the Bipap, I can’t get any quality sleep. If I hadn’t started using it, I am quite sure I would be dead by now.
The primary indicator of potential sleep apnea is a large neck. Anyone with an 18 inch neck or larger should get tested.
Congratulations on the weight loss and that the CPAP helps you so much.
I am sure that treatment for sleep disorders helps many, many people. But also think that (as with so many things in medical fields today) there are likely way too many referrals for sleep studies and treatments, such as for those patients on Medicare, that take place just because some else will pay for it.
I have a CPAP machine and I am using the full face mask. Hard to sleep with it. What type of mask are you folks using and do you feel comfortable with it? I was given the full mask because I breathe out of my mouth.
God bless Breathe right strips. Use one every night.
Cpap was unusable for me, I have friends who swear by
them but I couldn’t go to sleep wearing one.
I use listening to clean my nose outside and swab it inside then put on my nose tape. Works better store brands are no good. Breathe right are best there’s is a dollar off coupon in every box.
Not listening I meant Listerine
Exactly. That, other co-morbidities, and that compliance with CPAP is not all that great in general are all possible contributors to the results.
Nose pillows and a chin strap to keep my mouth closed so that I do breath through my nose.
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