Recently concluded research studies by American researchers, has revealed that problems like sleep apnea, acidity reflux and even obesity contribute to sudden death. Sleep apnea is also responsible for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) among children. In fact studies from across the world show that about 2 to 3% children are believed to suffer from sleep apnea. This chronic disease that’s believed to affect about 12 million Americans raises the risk of problems like high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and even diabetes.

Patients suffering from sleep apnea are believed to pause from breathing while sleeping. This pause could last anywhere from a few seconds to even a minute and can occur 5 to 30 times in an hour. Every time there’s a pause the brain’s aroused as a result of which the patients sleep is affected. A huge majority of people prefer to silently suffer from this disease, from fear of embarrassment. There are several sleep apnea treatments available today, the most common and effective being CPAP.

“A CPAP is the most commonly used device to help sleep apnea sufferers. The mask is usually worn over the nose and attached to a device that has filters attached to it to remove impurities from the air and distilled water to humidify the air. Continued use of these masks is sure to control sleep apnea problems,” says Mr. Vincent, of Your CPAP mask, an online store that sells a wide range of  CPAP masks and accessories.

It’s important to find the right CPAP mask, to avoid discomfort when wearing these masks. Respironics, ResMed, and Fisher Paykel are some well-known manufacturers of CPAP masks. You could either choose from a full face mask, nasal mask, or a nasal pillow. If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, determine the type of breather you are; a mouth breather, a nose breather or a combination. Also consider the shape of your face, nose and mouth and buy a mask accordingly. It’s best to buy a CPAP mask in consultation with your sleep physician.

In a supporting role with the ever popular NBC’s The Biggest Loser, Nationwide Medical, Inc is announcing a new level of engagement between sleep apnea patients and television show contestants who use CPAP machines.

Tune in as a new social media awareness campaign is launched alongside The Biggest Loser for the first time in an effort to reach out to sleep apnea patients and those who are at risk but left untreated.

The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. The show airs on NBC Tuesdays at 8 pm (ET), beginning on Jan 4.

Viewers can follow their favorite contestants behind the scenes who suffer from sleep apnea and gain insight to treatment and use of CPAP machines through a weekly blog that is only available through the Nationwide Medical, Inc. Web site. Read the rest of this entry

Sleep Group Solutions, North Miami Beach, Fla, offers its Home Sleep Test and new iPhone/iPad application for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Physicians and dentists can give patients the Home Sleep Test, which can be completed at home and then returned to the doctor. The results of the study are uploaded to a secure server for analysis.

The company’s iPhone/iPad application allows patients to record their sleep patterns. The results, along with a patient’s answers to a few screening questions, can then sent to Sleep Group Solutions for evaluation.

GlobalData’s medical equipment report, “Israel Anesthesia and Respiratory Devices Market Outlook to 2016” provides key market data on the Israel anesthesia and respiratory devices market.

The report provides value (USD million), volume (units) and average price (USD) data for each segment and sub-segment within six market categories – anesthesia disposables, anesthesia machines, respiratory devices, respiratory disposables, respiratory measurement devices, and sleep apnea diagnostic systems. Read the rest of this entry

The Sleep Wellness Institute Inc., Wisconsin’s largest independent sleep disorders center, has opened a second location in Mequon at 11725 N. Port Washington Road.

The Institute has 12 sleep study rooms at its headquarters location in West Allis and will begin with a two-bed sleep lab in Mequon, which will likely grow larger over the next year.

“Our new location in Mequon is a response to requests from physicians to make our services more convenient for patients in greater Milwaukee’s north shore and upper east side areas, as well as further north,” said Ron Baake, owner and chief executive officer of The Sleep Wellness Institute. Read the rest of this entry

Royal Philips Electronics announced today that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of medSage Technologies LLC, a leading provider of patient interaction and management applications. The acquisition will allow Philips to offer a web-based solution that enables home care providers to manage ongoing compliance and replenishment services for individuals under treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diabetes, respiratory and other conditions. The acquired business will become part of the Sleep business within Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.  Read the rest of this entry

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) technologies are a staple at Medgadget , mostly because they make for good pictures to go with the post. However, they also make for good medicine, as many studies have shown they are effective for everything between reducing heart complications associated with sleep apnea and improving quality of sleep. One of the latest studies in the journal Sleep continues to promote the use of CPAP for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) by showing in a randomized study that “3 weeks of therapeutic CPAP significantly reduced fatigue and increased energy in patients with OSA” Read the rest of this entry