OSA is a Risk for Sudden Cardiac Death

Mayo Clinic researchers have determined that not only does OSA  (obstructive sleep apnea) lead to increased risk of stroke, cardiac arrest, hypertension, vascular disease, etc but it can also increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, usually due to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia. This conclusion was reached after tracking thousands of men and women with sleep apnea for up to 15 years of whom 142 had sudden cardiac deaths or arrests who were resuscitated. These sudden cardiac arrests occurred …

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Elbowed by Your Spouse While Sleeping? You May Have Sleep Apnea!

Canadian researchers have determined that if a patient answers in the affirmative to two questions: 1) Do you get elbowed/poked while sleeping for snoring? 2) Do you get elbowed/poked while sleeping for stopping breathing? There is a significant chance that the patient may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with AHI score  more than 5. This quiz has been dubbed the "Elbow Test". Actual diagnosis for OSA is by sleep study . Should OSA be actually diagnosed on a sleep s…

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CPAP + Oral Appliance (All-In-One) Device for OSA

A dentist colleague of mine informed me of a new device that combines CPAP mask with an oral appliance for patients with obstructive sleep apnea ( CPAP Pro + Mandibular Advancement ). The unique benefits of this combo device are several-fold: • No straps • Keeps mouth closed • Addresses tongue collapse that obstruct the airway by bringing jaw forward • Can sleep in any position This device does need to be fitted by a dentist. (For Virginia residents, Dr. Jason Woodside is familiar…

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CPAP Masks Causes Facial Changes With Time

CPAP is a machine that pushes air into a person while they are sleeping to treat obstructive sleep apnea , a medical condition where a person stops breathing multiple times throughout the night leading to all sorts of medical problems including increased risk of hypertension, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, heart attack, etc. In order for this device to work, a mask must be worn while sleeping in order for the air to get pushed into the lungs. It is considered the gold standard treat…

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