Sleep Technology

As public health professionals make the determination it's safe to see patients and there are more relaxed stay-at-home restrictions, sleep technologist practices should strategically plan on how and when it's best to reopen. They should take recommended guidance from relevant prominent authorities, such as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the American Medical Association (AMA), on how to safely reopen their facilities. 

If you have depression, you may notice you're having difficulties with getting to and staying asleep. This is because there is a link between depression and sleep. Below are some ways depression can impact sleep architecture.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is affecting individuals in the U.S. and across the globe. Anxiety and fear surrounding it can cause strong emotions and can be overwhelming. Because they're at the forefront where they can be exposed to the virus, healthcare workers, including sleep clinicians, are among those who are experiencing stress and uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

Two common sleep/pulmonary diseases are obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These two conditions can occur simultaneously creating a condition known as Overlap Syndrome, which creates two fold the uncomfortable disordered breathing conditions, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association. It results in long-term chronic health issues that go beyond your lungs, like heart disease and diabetes, and their linked myriad complications. 

When you've had a good night's sleep, you can definitely tell. You wake up feeling full of energy, refreshed, and you're ready to begin your day. Sleep is important for both mental and physical well-being.

As a sleep technologist, you should know (and be telling your patients) that obtaining enough sleep is important to help to maintain optimal well-being and health. When it comes to health, sleep is just as important as eating a balanced diet and regular exercise.

At least 25 million American adults struggle with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to the National Sleep Awareness Project. Sleep technologists, like you, use sleep studies to help diagnose sleep apnea, primarily OSA. Some patients, in conjuction with their physician, may now choose a home sleep apnea test (HSAT) instead of an in-lab sleep study.

About one in 2,000 people in the U.S. have narcolepsy. Narcolepsy can impact almost every aspect of your patient's life. It's a lifelong sleep disorder causing your patient to feel overwhelmingly tired. It's also dangerous since your patient can have a sleep attack or excessive sleepiness any time of the day and during any activity such as walking, eating, or driving.

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects nearly 18 million Americans. Left untreated, the condition can lead to a wide range of health problems, including: heart failure, stroke, diabetes, weight gain, impotence, headaches, depression, memory problems, and hypertension. Of course, this is in addition to the constant sleepiness patients often experience due to continuously interrupted sleep.

Whatever the reason, some patients have given up on continuing PAP treatment altogether. But just because they put away their PAP mask, doesn't mean that their apnea is gone as well. As an alternative to PAP treatment, you can recommend a dental device as a possible option that can help treat obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in some patients.