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Sleep Apnea and Insomnia
Do you have sleep apnea (Obstructive Sleep Apnea or OSA)? Insomnia or similar sleep disorder? Falling asleep in the daytime, or at the wheel of your car? Others? What diagnosis have you been given in relation to your sleep problems. What have they suggested for you? Surgery and/or C-PAP?
Latest group announcement
Sleep Apnea and Insomnia group
Do you have sleep apnea (or Obstructive Sleep Apnea - OSA)? Insomnia or similar sleep disorder? Falling asleep in the daytime, or at the wheel of your car? Others? What diagnosis have you been given in relation to your sleep problems. What have they suggested for you? Surgery and/or C-PAP?
The postings and replies found under this group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with an sleep/insomnia care professional regarding the viewer/user's own medical care. This group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this Eons group site.
Searching old "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", postings
If you are looking for info and want to search the older posts, there is an easy way to do that. Just follow the steps below:
1. Click on the title Messages with number of messages behind it at the top of "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", Group page.
2. Next enter your keyword in the search box that appears on the right side of the page and hit go. You will also notice below the search box a listing of all the previous months and the number of posts if you know approximately when a post was made which you can click on also.
3. Once you click go it will give you a listing of all the posts that have those keywords in them.
4. You can then view that posting and get the info that you need.
Hope this helps you in finding the info you need on a particular subject, etc...(thanks to landshark73 for directions)
The postings and replies found under this group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with an sleep/insomnia care professional regarding the viewer/user's own medical care. This group called "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", managed by Chiptin alias Mike Reilly, disclaims any and all liability for injury or other damages that could result from use of the information obtained from this Eons group site.
Searching old "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", postings
If you are looking for info and want to search the older posts, there is an easy way to do that. Just follow the steps below:
1. Click on the title Messages with number of messages behind it at the top of "Sleep Apnea & Insomnia", Group page.
2. Next enter your keyword in the search box that appears on the right side of the page and hit go. You will also notice below the search box a listing of all the previous months and the number of posts if you know approximately when a post was made which you can click on also.
3. Once you click go it will give you a listing of all the posts that have those keywords in them.
4. You can then view that posting and get the info that you need.
Hope this helps you in finding the info you need on a particular subject, etc...(thanks to landshark73 for directions)
about 1 month ago
Recent Messages
Chiptin's Tongue Surgery Chronicles
I've temporarily removed all public viewing of my last surgery experiences.
I will soon post information pertinent to the medical procedure and outcome that will be of more benefit to sleep apnea sufferers.
Mike
I will soon post information pertinent to the medical procedure and outcome that will be of more benefit to sleep apnea sufferers.
Mike
Welcome Louiewood
Welcome new member...please tell us about your problem or spouse's, and what can we do to help?
A.W.A.K.E.
I recieved a flyer from Samaritan Sleep Center.
its for Alert,Well,And,Keeping Energetic support group for our area.
i would really like to join in on this and it looks good,the main problem i have its a 100 mile round trip for me and i already have a appointment at the Clinic a long time earlier in the day so that means i hang out for at least 8 hours or make two trips.
like i said i should go.
But it looks like a lot of information this group Sleep Apnea forum handles a lot of meat&bones that is offered.
the price you pay for being a country 'BUMPKIN',living so far out in the boonies.
its for Alert,Well,And,Keeping Energetic support group for our area.
i would really like to join in on this and it looks good,the main problem i have its a 100 mile round trip for me and i already have a appointment at the Clinic a long time earlier in the day so that means i hang out for at least 8 hours or make two trips.
like i said i should go.
But it looks like a lot of information this group Sleep Apnea forum handles a lot of meat&bones that is offered.
the price you pay for being a country 'BUMPKIN',living so far out in the boonies.
Surgery Section
Introduction | Table of Contents | Recent Updates | Contact Medical Policy Staff
Surgery Section - Minimally Invasive Surgery for Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome/Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome
Topic: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Snoring, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome/Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome Date of Origin: 08/02/2005
Section: Surgery Policy No: 142
Approved Date: 12/18/2007 Effective Date: 01/01/2008
Next Review Date: 11/2008
IMPORTANT REMINDER
This Medical Policy has been developed through consideration of medical necessity, generally accepted standards of medical practice, and review of medical literature and government approval status.
Benefit determinations should be based in all cases on the applicable contract language. To the extent there are any conflicts between these guidelines and the contract language, the contract language will control.
The purpose of medical policy is to provide a guide to coverage. Medical Policy is not intended to dictate to providers how to practice medicine. Providers are expected to exercise their medical judgment in providing the most appropriate care.
Source: view link
Nonsurgical Treatment
Nonsurgical Treatment:
Source: view link
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), NCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure), DPAP (demand positive airway pressure) BiPAP (Bilevel positive airway pressure)
BCBSMT considers CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP and DPAP medically necessary for the treatment of clinically significant OSA/UARS and does not recommend prior authorization. These devices maintain positive air pressure in the upper airway to keep it open during sleep. While compliance can be a problem careful follow-up can significantly improve compliance.
BiPAP or auto-adjusting CPAP (APAP) may be considered medically necessary in patients for whom CPAP is determined to be inadequate during CPAP titration, or who fail a trial of CPAP at home.
The following rules apply:
BCBSMT will compensate the rental of CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP, or DPAP for 12 months. After 12 months of rental, the device is considered purchased. Further compensation for rental will not be made.
Purchase of CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP or DPAP equipment will be allowed only after 3 months of rental. If the purchase is a replacement of existing equipment, 3 months of rental is not required.
Removable Dental/Oral Appliances (e.g. bionator, tongue-retaining devices or mandibular advancing/positioning devices).
Prior authorization is recommended for removable dental/oral appliances . To authorize, call BCBSMT Customer Service at 1-800-447-7828 or fax your request to the Medical Review Department at 406-444-8451. A retrospective review will be performed if services are not prior authorized.
The following rules apply:
These appliances will be covered under the DME benefit of the contract.
CPT codes E0485 or E0486 should be used to bill for the appliances.
Maximum allowance will be $500, which includes all related charges.
Benefits are not covered for oral appliances for the purpose of reduction of snoring
Source: view link
CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), NCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure), DPAP (demand positive airway pressure) BiPAP (Bilevel positive airway pressure)
BCBSMT considers CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP and DPAP medically necessary for the treatment of clinically significant OSA/UARS and does not recommend prior authorization. These devices maintain positive air pressure in the upper airway to keep it open during sleep. While compliance can be a problem careful follow-up can significantly improve compliance.
BiPAP or auto-adjusting CPAP (APAP) may be considered medically necessary in patients for whom CPAP is determined to be inadequate during CPAP titration, or who fail a trial of CPAP at home.
The following rules apply:
BCBSMT will compensate the rental of CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP, or DPAP for 12 months. After 12 months of rental, the device is considered purchased. Further compensation for rental will not be made.
Purchase of CPAP, NCPAP, BiPAP or DPAP equipment will be allowed only after 3 months of rental. If the purchase is a replacement of existing equipment, 3 months of rental is not required.
Removable Dental/Oral Appliances (e.g. bionator, tongue-retaining devices or mandibular advancing/positioning devices).
Prior authorization is recommended for removable dental/oral appliances . To authorize, call BCBSMT Customer Service at 1-800-447-7828 or fax your request to the Medical Review Department at 406-444-8451. A retrospective review will be performed if services are not prior authorized.
The following rules apply:
These appliances will be covered under the DME benefit of the contract.
CPT codes E0485 or E0486 should be used to bill for the appliances.
Maximum allowance will be $500, which includes all related charges.
Benefits are not covered for oral appliances for the purpose of reduction of snoring
Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) vs OSA
Upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS) is a variant of OSA that is characterized by a partial collapse of the airway resulting in increased resistance to airflow.
The increased respiratory effort required results in multiple sleep fragmentations as measured by very short alpha EEG arousals. Snoring may not be a feature of UARS. The resistance to airflow is typically subtle and does not result in apneic or hypopneic events.
However, it does result in increasingly negative intrathoracic pressure during inspiration, which can be measured using an esophageal manometer as an adjunct to a polysomnogram.
Therefore, this diagnosis rests on polysomnographic documentation of >10 EEG arousals per hour of sleep correlated with episodes of reduced intrathoracic pressures.
The increased respiratory effort required results in multiple sleep fragmentations as measured by very short alpha EEG arousals. Snoring may not be a feature of UARS. The resistance to airflow is typically subtle and does not result in apneic or hypopneic events.
However, it does result in increasingly negative intrathoracic pressure during inspiration, which can be measured using an esophageal manometer as an adjunct to a polysomnogram.
Therefore, this diagnosis rests on polysomnographic documentation of >10 EEG arousals per hour of sleep correlated with episodes of reduced intrathoracic pressures.
Sleep: What's Going On Behind That Shut-Eye?
The following article appeared on Yahoo! Healthy Living source: view link
Sleep: What's Going On Behind That Shut-Eye?
Have you ever watched someone sleep and wondered what he or she was dreaming? The person’s outward appearance would never give it away: slow breathing, eyes occasionally fluttering, but mostly the very picture of peace and stillness. But, appearances can be deceiving. When people sleep, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. The notion of sleep as the body’s ultimate “down time” has some truth to it, but sleep is also an active process, in which the brain can be remarkably active, even if the body remains (mostly) immobile.
What’s Going On During Sleep?
There is much about sleep that remains mysterious, but experts divide it into two main categories, based on observations of sleeping persons and recordings of the brain’s electrical activity during sleep:
Non-REM sleep– This is divided into four stages, with Stage 1 the lightest and Stage 4 the deepest.
Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep - During REM sleep, dreaming is common, muscles (other than the eyes) are inactive, and electrical activity in the brain is similar to that of an awake person. The blood pressure and heart and breathing rates may suddenly increase for short periods of time, just as they do during wakefulness
During a typical eight-hour period of sleep, a person drifts from wakefulness to Stage 1 non-REM sleep, through Stages 2, 3 and 4 and finally REM sleep over the first several hours. During the last half of the night, REM sleep and Stage 2 sleep alternate for 90 to 120 minutes each. As we age, brief awakenings increase in frequency, while deeper stages of non-REM sleep decrease.
Why Do We Sleep?
The function of sleep is not entirely clear, but researchers believe that REM sleep is important for solidifying memories, and perhaps for even more critical functions. Rodents completely deprived of REM sleep die after a few weeks. Non-REM sleep, meanwhile, seems to be important in providing a sense of restored energy and ability to concentrate during the day. A number of theories about sleep attempt to explain its role or roles: a restorative for the mind and body in preparation for the day ahead; or a way of reducing energy consumption, to save energy for activities occurring during the day. Some scientists believe that sleep is evolution’s way of improving survival by preventing animals from preying on each other 24 hours a day.
Consequence of Sleep Deprivation
It is hard to define just how much sleep is normal; different people seem to need different amounts. Sleep experts define “enough” sleep as how long a person would sleep if there were no alarm clocks; that is, left to decide entirely on your own, how long would you sleep? The other way to define it is how long one needs to sleep in order to feel alert and rested the next day. However, duration of sleep is not the only thing that matters –; the quality of sleep also matters.
Too little sleep or poor-quality sleep can cause a number of problems, including difficulty with short-term memory, concentration, depression, anxiety, irritability, poor energy and reduced libido. In short, quality of life at work and at home may suffer terribly due to insufficient or poor sleep. All of these problems may resolve when sleep duration increases or sleep quality improves.
One problem related to sleep deprivation deserves particular emphasis: Automobile and truck accidents attributed to sleepy drivers account for thousands of deaths each year.
Although the impact is uncertain in humans, sleep-deprived rodents have reduced immune function and higher susceptibility to infection.
Sleep Disorders
There are more than 80 individual sleep disorders, but they are divided into 4 main categories:
Dyssomnias, in which there is insomnia (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep), sleepiness during the day, and abnormal sleep-wake timing; examples include sleep apnea and the effects of medications or alcohol
Parasomnias, in which there is abnormal behavior around sleep, but without excessive sleepiness or insomnia; examples include sleepwalking or night terrors
Medical-psychiatric sleep disorders, in which a condition that causes other problems disrupts or impairs sleep; examples include anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease, dementia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Sleep problems that cannot be clearly separated from normal variation, or for which there is no consensus among experts; examples include pregnancy-associated sleep disorder and sleep hyperhidrosis (excessive and unexplained sweating during sleep)
Good Advice for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
There are changes you can make to improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep experts call this “sleep hygiene,” and these measures are routinely recommended for almost anyone complaining of sleep trouble. Some are just common sense, but, unfortunately, many people for whom sleep is a problem do not recognize their importance. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
Establish a schedule and stick to it; sleep when you are sleepy but try to get up and go to bed each day at about the same time.
Use a fan or other means of creating a steady, soothing sound to drown out other noises.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake; avoid caffeine after noon and don’t use alcohol as a sedative before bed.
Get heavy curtains or shades to block out bright light early in the morning if you are awakening earlier than you’d like.
Check your medication list. Because some medicines can interfere with sleep, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the medicines you take.
Do not exercise vigorously after within several hours of bedtime.
Avoid heavy meals or excessive fluids within an hour or two of bedtime.
The Bottom Line
The importance of sleep is self-evident, yet much remains unknown or uncertain about how we sleep, why we sleep and how to improve sleep. One thing is certain, however: Sleep is not a passive process or a complete “shut down” of the body – many stages of sleep are as active for the mind as being awake. So, the next time you see someone sleeping, keep in mind that though the body may look quiet and peaceful, there is much more to the story.
Last Updated: 2006-02-17 12:40:04
2007
Sleep: What's Going On Behind That Shut-Eye?
Have you ever watched someone sleep and wondered what he or she was dreaming? The person’s outward appearance would never give it away: slow breathing, eyes occasionally fluttering, but mostly the very picture of peace and stillness. But, appearances can be deceiving. When people sleep, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. The notion of sleep as the body’s ultimate “down time” has some truth to it, but sleep is also an active process, in which the brain can be remarkably active, even if the body remains (mostly) immobile.
What’s Going On During Sleep?
There is much about sleep that remains mysterious, but experts divide it into two main categories, based on observations of sleeping persons and recordings of the brain’s electrical activity during sleep:
Non-REM sleep– This is divided into four stages, with Stage 1 the lightest and Stage 4 the deepest.
Rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep - During REM sleep, dreaming is common, muscles (other than the eyes) are inactive, and electrical activity in the brain is similar to that of an awake person. The blood pressure and heart and breathing rates may suddenly increase for short periods of time, just as they do during wakefulness
During a typical eight-hour period of sleep, a person drifts from wakefulness to Stage 1 non-REM sleep, through Stages 2, 3 and 4 and finally REM sleep over the first several hours. During the last half of the night, REM sleep and Stage 2 sleep alternate for 90 to 120 minutes each. As we age, brief awakenings increase in frequency, while deeper stages of non-REM sleep decrease.
Why Do We Sleep?
The function of sleep is not entirely clear, but researchers believe that REM sleep is important for solidifying memories, and perhaps for even more critical functions. Rodents completely deprived of REM sleep die after a few weeks. Non-REM sleep, meanwhile, seems to be important in providing a sense of restored energy and ability to concentrate during the day. A number of theories about sleep attempt to explain its role or roles: a restorative for the mind and body in preparation for the day ahead; or a way of reducing energy consumption, to save energy for activities occurring during the day. Some scientists believe that sleep is evolution’s way of improving survival by preventing animals from preying on each other 24 hours a day.
Consequence of Sleep Deprivation
It is hard to define just how much sleep is normal; different people seem to need different amounts. Sleep experts define “enough” sleep as how long a person would sleep if there were no alarm clocks; that is, left to decide entirely on your own, how long would you sleep? The other way to define it is how long one needs to sleep in order to feel alert and rested the next day. However, duration of sleep is not the only thing that matters –; the quality of sleep also matters.
Too little sleep or poor-quality sleep can cause a number of problems, including difficulty with short-term memory, concentration, depression, anxiety, irritability, poor energy and reduced libido. In short, quality of life at work and at home may suffer terribly due to insufficient or poor sleep. All of these problems may resolve when sleep duration increases or sleep quality improves.
One problem related to sleep deprivation deserves particular emphasis: Automobile and truck accidents attributed to sleepy drivers account for thousands of deaths each year.
Although the impact is uncertain in humans, sleep-deprived rodents have reduced immune function and higher susceptibility to infection.
Sleep Disorders
There are more than 80 individual sleep disorders, but they are divided into 4 main categories:
Dyssomnias, in which there is insomnia (difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep), sleepiness during the day, and abnormal sleep-wake timing; examples include sleep apnea and the effects of medications or alcohol
Parasomnias, in which there is abnormal behavior around sleep, but without excessive sleepiness or insomnia; examples include sleepwalking or night terrors
Medical-psychiatric sleep disorders, in which a condition that causes other problems disrupts or impairs sleep; examples include anxiety, depression, Parkinson’s disease, dementia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Sleep problems that cannot be clearly separated from normal variation, or for which there is no consensus among experts; examples include pregnancy-associated sleep disorder and sleep hyperhidrosis (excessive and unexplained sweating during sleep)
Good Advice for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep
There are changes you can make to improve your chances of getting a good night’s sleep. Sleep experts call this “sleep hygiene,” and these measures are routinely recommended for almost anyone complaining of sleep trouble. Some are just common sense, but, unfortunately, many people for whom sleep is a problem do not recognize their importance. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
Establish a schedule and stick to it; sleep when you are sleepy but try to get up and go to bed each day at about the same time.
Use a fan or other means of creating a steady, soothing sound to drown out other noises.
Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake; avoid caffeine after noon and don’t use alcohol as a sedative before bed.
Get heavy curtains or shades to block out bright light early in the morning if you are awakening earlier than you’d like.
Check your medication list. Because some medicines can interfere with sleep, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the medicines you take.
Do not exercise vigorously after within several hours of bedtime.
Avoid heavy meals or excessive fluids within an hour or two of bedtime.
The Bottom Line
The importance of sleep is self-evident, yet much remains unknown or uncertain about how we sleep, why we sleep and how to improve sleep. One thing is certain, however: Sleep is not a passive process or a complete “shut down” of the body – many stages of sleep are as active for the mind as being awake. So, the next time you see someone sleeping, keep in mind that though the body may look quiet and peaceful, there is much more to the story.
Last Updated: 2006-02-17 12:40:04
2007
Does this happen
Right after you put distilled water in your little tank,take one last trip to the bathroom,put on your mask, hook up hose,turn machine on lay down and get comfortable,almost fall asleep and........ no not the phone but you have a slight itch somewhere under the mask.do you take off the mask and scratch? or do you lay still and not think about the situation till it goes away?
i try to do the later,because i know once you pull the mask off then put it back on. the seal will not be right then you have to keep messing with it untill you get it right.
why do i have to keep thinking of these nuances?
i try to do the later,because i know once you pull the mask off then put it back on. the seal will not be right then you have to keep messing with it untill you get it right.
why do i have to keep thinking of these nuances?
Question for Group Members
I've been asked to approve ConsumersUnion se view link as a group member.
I looked at her Profile and find she or the group she works for has joined 34 other medical related Eons groups. It appears the only reason for their membership is to push their agenda.
I would like your inputs on whether I should allow this person to become a member.
If you believe it would be ok, I would still monitor any postings made by her or her group, and might just delete them.
this is a democratic group, so please give me your feedback by July 10th.
Mike
I looked at her Profile and find she or the group she works for has joined 34 other medical related Eons groups. It appears the only reason for their membership is to push their agenda.
I would like your inputs on whether I should allow this person to become a member.
If you believe it would be ok, I would still monitor any postings made by her or her group, and might just delete them.
this is a democratic group, so please give me your feedback by July 10th.
Mike
last night was the 1st night
with machine.
boy am i tired.
tried the mask first and after a few hours of hearing air rush out of a not so tight fitting, i tried the nose pillows and at first bothered by the fit then remembered i am a mouth breather plus everytime i moved i found out i partialy crimped the pillows(will adjust this a bit later).
i ended the last of the night with mask after a small adjustment on strap.will have to be Darth Vader for awhile untill i get use to breathing thru the nose.
o well,try try try.
boy am i tired.
tried the mask first and after a few hours of hearing air rush out of a not so tight fitting, i tried the nose pillows and at first bothered by the fit then remembered i am a mouth breather plus everytime i moved i found out i partialy crimped the pillows(will adjust this a bit later).
i ended the last of the night with mask after a small adjustment on strap.will have to be Darth Vader for awhile untill i get use to breathing thru the nose.
o well,try try try.
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Sleep Apnea ...
about 1 month ago
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About Sleep ...
about 1 month ago
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