Hospital visits are usually due to an emergency. Clinic visits are usually due to planning.
Yep, I had heart failure in 2017, successfully treated with a pacemaker. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in early 2020, though likely had it for many years. Now I wear a CPAP mask every night, and have few obstructive events when sleeping.
I had to experiment with a lot of mask types before I found one that really works, nearly every one that ResMed makes. Since my insurance will only pay for one type at a time, I had to buy the others out of pocket.
CPAP is all prescription only, but if you order all the separate mask parts as supply replacements, no prescription is needed.
Getting a CPAP was the best thing I’ve ever done. And I had covid at the very beginning. Used mine sitting in a recliner all day long. It was perfect and I’m convinced it helped get me through.
The study, according to the excerpt, was limited to symptoms and readmission rates. Low readmission rates can indicate a combination of two things: survival & death.
Clinical sleep studies would be more helpful.
I have successfully used a CPAP for some 25 years and it made a huge difference in my life. I have taken my CPAP camping, traveled to France and Australia with my CPAP and use it faithfully every night wherever I am. The secret is getting a good fitting comfortable mask. Sure the hose and machine are an inconvenience, but you get used to it and a CPAP can be literally life saving.
International travel takes a bit of planning… primarily finding the right adapter to connect your machine to the county’s wall plugs, but most CPAPs will have no problem with the 220 volt 50Hz power in foreign countries. Most international customs agents are aware of CPAPs and don’t give you any problem when inspecting your bags, but be prepared. I did have some questions at Paris de Gualle airport, but I speak French and was able to quickly explain my CPAP.