Cognition, as defined by the National Library of Medicine, is “the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.” Cognitive issues and memory loss are often listed as symptoms of sleep apnea, but how do we know if we are dealing with these symptoms? These are broad terms, difficult to pinpoint in daily life, especially since phrases like “brain fog” have become commonplace and seem to cover a range of experiences.
Aeroflow Sleep does a good job of approaching the clinical angle already, but a patient perspective is special. That’s where I come in; with real life experiences of my own and those of the guests on my podcast. And, hearing their stories, I’m confident that there are 3 common, cognitive denominators you should be aware of if you think you have obstructive sleep apnea.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has three levels of severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Which severity you have is measured by how many times your breathing alters during sleep. If this only happens 5-15 times, you have mild OSA. Is that really enough to subject a patient to a lifetime of PAP therapy?
Dr. Neomi Shah, MD, MPH, MSC, is the System Vice Chair for Faculty Affairs in the Department of Medicine, and Professor (with Tenure) in the Department of Medicine, and Associate Division Chief for Academic Affairs in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine. At the annual American Academy of Sleep Medicine conference, she defended the unpopular opinion that no, treating mild OSA doesn’t mean you have to use a CPAP. Aeroflow Sleep is here to share (and then, argue against) her research.
Aeroflow Sleep reached out, but Dr. Shah did not respond immediately for comment.
Hi, I’m Emily, and I began my new role as a Marketing Coordinator for Aeroflow Sleep last week. I’m excited to be a part of a company, like Aeroflow Sleep, whose mission is to not only help patients feel and live better, but to also help patients receive the durable medical equipment and supplies they need without added stress, complexity, or costs.
Since beginning my new role, I have taken a deep dive into educating myself on all things sleep apnea; and I thought it might be fun to share with you all what I’ve learned so far! I’m hoping some of my new-found knowledge will resonate with others who may have recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are on a similar learning journey, or with those who are new to the Aeroflow Sleep family, just like me!
You’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and one of the first things on your mind is: “How will I pay for the CPAP machine and supplies?” Usually, this is followed by: “Does my insurance cover CPAP?” And then: “Can I get it cheaper online?”
I lived all my life in Scotland until my American husband proposed moving to Florida, where he grew up. I was excited for the change! I dreamed of trips to the beach and pool and glorious weather every single day.
That was 16 years ago and life in Florida has largely lived up to my expectations, but one of the elements that I found a bit more challenging was understanding the United States health insurance system. Luckily, there are places like Aeroflow Sleep who can help today, so you don’t have to learn from experience the hard way like I did.
The top manufacturer of CPAP supplies, ResMed shared this statistic: “As many as 48% of people diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes have also been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Even more striking, researchers believe that 86% of obese Type 2 Diabetic patients suffer from sleep apnea.” These two disorders are very heavily connected, which is exactly why Aeroflow Sleep wants you to know about both; especially since our parent company treats both and has Medical Advisors (like Dr. Carleara Weiss and Dr. Rich Marlar) on staff to represent each.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably noticing that your CPAP therapy isn’t as effective as it once was. Maybe your machine is starting to make strange noises, or maybe you’re feeling fatigued again. Whatever the reason, it’s important to take action before your CPAP machine fails. There are 4 common signs that you can look out for. We’ll also cover tips to try out before giving up on your machine, and more importantly, what to do when it’s time to go ahead and replace it.
In 2017, researchers claimed 40% of CPAP users never clean their mask, and more than 80% never clean their tubing. This is a truly disturbing statistic, because although the study is years old now, history repeats itself. Not on Aeroflow Sleep’s watch! Let’s check out why, when, and how to clean your machine, mask, and more so you have the knowledge and tools to rewrite sleep apnea hygiene history.
Do you qualify for Medicaid? What even is Medicaid, and how exactly does it work? And, can you get the PAP equipment you need through Medicaid? If you’re seeking the answers to these questions or similar ones, then you’re in the right place, especially since guidelines have recently changed.
I sat in the doctor’s office with a sense of anticipation, almost verging on excitement. I was 23 years old, and my daytime sleepiness was getting so bad that I was struggling to stay awake at work. After an initial consultation, the doctor ran every blood test he could think of. I was returning to the doctor’s office for the results.
“Great news!,” he said with a beaming smile. “All of your bloodwork came back completely normal.” I tried to mirror his jubilant expression, but deep down, I felt disappointment and dismay. The doctor’s reassurances made me question if I had made up my sleepiness or if my sleepiness was my fault for not sticking to an early bedtime. It never occurred to me that the doctor could be missing a serious sleep disorder and that I should seek a second opinion or push for a sleep study.
