The first treatment plan for those with sleep apnea in Phoenix is using a continuous positive airway pressure machine, otherwise known as a CPAP machine. The Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona is an outcome-driven institution staffed by sleep specialists who concentrate in sleep medicine. As the “Face of Sleep Medicine” in the region and awardee of the “Top Doc” in the area for the past six consecutive years, we offer unprecedented staffing levels and set the standard for sleep medicine in Arizona.
There are other options for managing sleep apnea, such as implants, but patients must try CPAP therapy first. Compliance can be an issue with CPAP in Phoenix, and a recent study published in issue 49 of The BMJ highlights the importance of patients using their CPAP therapy correctly and every time they sleep. Researchers were interested in compliance and CPAP because it has not been well studied thus far.
Study on CPAP Therapy
The investigation included 54 patients with sleep apnea with a median age of 36, and researchers analyzed compliance with CPAP therapy in the first 1 – 3 months after beginning the treatment. Hidden clocks were used to monitor how long the machines were on. “Mask time” was also monitored. Daytime sleepiness was determined by various sleep latency assessments before and after CPAP therapy. Researchers found that on average the CPAP “run time” every night was between 4 – 7 hours. No correlation was found between the severity of sleep apnea and the run time. In total, 32 of the patients that had their “mask time” recorded enjoyed CPAP pressure for 89 percent of their total CPAP run time.
Unsurprisingly, the volunteers who reported side effects from their CPAP therapy used the technology “significantly less” than those who didn’t. Researchers concluded that patients with sleep apnea used their devices an average of less than five hours per night and recommend that the CPAP run time should be recorded in future patients in order to expand upon these findings.
Why Some Patients Don’t Use their CPAP “Right”
CPAP therapy works by ensuring the airflow is unobstructed while you sleep. The CPAP technology has grown to become highly sophisticated. There are many different kinds of machines, tubing, and masks, all so you can find the right system that works for you. One of the primary reasons patients report for not using CPAP throughout the night or taking off their mask is due to discomfort. In many cases, this discomfort can be easily addressed by working with a sleep expert to make adjustments to the equipment or by trying a different tube and/or mask.
Ultimately, if a patient is not using their CPAP device correctly or the entire time they are sleeping, it is not going to be as effective as possible—or perhaps not effective at all. It is critical for those with sleep apnea to use their CPAP device correctly and give the therapy an honest try before considering other options. CPAP therapy remains the most recommended, effective, and non-invasive option for managing sleep apnea.
The Importance of Sleep Apnea Management
Not getting enough quality sleep has a trickle-down effect that can negatively impact every facet of your life. Numerous studies have shown that driving while fatigued is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Your mental, emotional, physical, and social life suffers when you are only getting low-quality sleep, but many people are so used to having subpar sleep that they don’t realize everything they are missing out on.
Sleep apnea that is not managed is also linked to deadly physical conditions including an increased risk of heart disease. Of course, in some severe cases, sleep apnea in itself can be acutely dangerous and even life-threatening. Sleep apnea occurs due to either an obstruction in the airway or the brain not sending the correct message to the airways to allow for proper, uninterrupted breathing throughout the night. Sleep apnea and its treatments need to be taken seriously, and that includes CPAP therapy in Phoenix.
Get Help with Your Sleep Apnea
Do you think you might have sleep apnea? We offer consultations exclusively with sleep experts to ensure a correct diagnosis that can lead to testing and treatment. Contact The Insomnia and Sleep Institute today to schedule your consultation and take the first step towards managing your sleep apnea with CPAP therapy in Phoenix.
