That can include cutting back on or avoiding alcohol, losing weight, and quitting smoking. Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense for mild cases of OSA.There is good news, especially for those who don’t tolerate the CPAP machine: There have been improvements to other sleep apnea treatments-and they may work better for some patients (which a sleep study can help determine), according the Drs. There are available treatments-other than CPAP The FDA has a list of frequently asked questions regarding the recall, and Philips also has a toll-free phone number, 87, with a Spanish-language option available.Ĥ. It’s best to speak to your sleep provider to discuss risks and benefits of continuing or stopping CPAP therapy. “Many people may not need to stop using their Respironics device, especially those who use ventilators at home to sustain life or people with severe sleep apnea and symptoms,” explains Dr. As the FDA points out, for some patients, stopping use of the recalled or repaired device may involve greater risk than continuing its use. This may leave some wondering how to do their own risk calculus. “But although these particles may also have toxic or carcinogenic effects, testing results suggest that emissions taper off during the initial use of the device-so, the actual risk is not known,” says Dr. These issues could potentially result in serious injury, which can be life-threatening and require medical intervention to prevent permanent injury. If this occurs, black pieces of foam, or certain chemicals that are not visible, could be breathed in or swallowed by the person using the device. In June 2021, one CPAP manufacturer, Phillips Respironics, voluntarily recalled certain ventilators, BiPAP, and CPAP machines because of potential health risks.Īccording to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the polyester-based polyurethane foam used in these devices to reduce sound and vibration can break down. One thing that may be top-of-mind for people is the recent recall of some CPAP devices. Putting the recent CPAP recall in context But the fundamental principle is still the same.”ģ. We’re trying to eliminate things that make people stop using it. Zinchuk, “it’s still essentially the same device. Yaggi and Zinchuk both agree that today’s CPAPs are “improved,” with more comfortable masks, and such features as automatic pressure adjustment capabilities, built-in modems that transmit data to the doctor, and bi-directional capabilities that allow technologists to make remote adjustments. “There are as many masks as there are shoes, and we can usually find the right one for each person,” says Dr. The machine gently blows air through the tube and then into your airways through a mask while you sleep-a sleep technologist can adjust the machine to make sure the mask fits properly and the right amount of air goes through. However, it is notoriously perceived to be unpleasant and, thus, doesn’t work for some people.Ī CPAP machine is about the size of a tissue box, has a motor, and is attached by a tube to a mask worn over your nose and mouth. The CPAP machine, considered the “gold standard” of sleep apnea treatment, is designed to regulate breathing during sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea-definedĪ little background. They helped us put together seven things you need to know about obstructive sleep apnea, advances in CPAPs, and other OSA treatments. To help clear up the confusion, we spoke with Henry Yaggi, MD, MPH, a pulmonologist and director of the Yale Center for Sleep Medicine, and Andrey Zinchuk, MD, MHS, who directs an Advanced Apnea Management Program at Yale. Or they’re worried they’ll be diagnosed with OSA and have to use the most common-and notoriously difficult to tolerate-treatment: a continuous positive air pressure machine, or a CPAP.Īnd since one company recently recalled some of its CPAP devices, there is growing confusion among many with OSA about whether or not they should even use a CPAP at all. Or they do, but don’t want to undergo a sleep test in an overnight lab (which is how OSA is typically diagnosed). Perhaps unsurprisingly, many people avoid seeking help for snoring because they don’t think it’s a big deal. Even more troubling, it’s possible to have the condition and not even know it. About half of the 90 million Americans who snore have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that actually disrupts breathing, is linked to heart disease, and can even be fatal. But sometimes that harsh, rasping sound is more than just annoying it can be life-threatening. High on the list of sounds no one wants to hear is the snoring of a bed partner.
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