CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, is a common and popular treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). During sleep, patients wear a nasal or full face mask. This mask connects to a generator that delivers a positive flow of air through their nasal passages, which helps to keep their airways open. Almost all insurance providers pay for some form of sleep testing and CPAP therapy.
As a new year dawns, fresh technologies are on the rise. In the field of sleep technology, you will find that there are a few technologies that are going to have banner years in 2018. These are some you’ll want to have your finger on the pulse of in your career as a sleep technologist.
Ensure you are achieving an optimal titration.
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There is no doubt that technology improves our daily lives. It has advanced medicine, industry, and so much more. Technology is a source of income for some, entertainment for others, and automation for many more. But, what your patients may not know about technology is that it could be ruining their good night’s sleep.
Sleep medicine is an advancing field and continues to grow rapidly. Because there's a greater awareness of sleep disorders these days, there are more job openings, including as a sleep technologist, for sleep medicine professionals. There are also ongoing advancements in medicine and innovative sleep technologies appearing.
Polysomnography is a test conducted to study sleep and to diagnose a variety of sleep disorders. Some people refer to polysomnography (PSG) as a sleep study. Sleep technologists perform the tests which are typically conducted in hospitals, free-standing facilities, or dedicated sleep clinics. For patients concerned about pain or discomfort, it is important to reassure them that the procedure is non-invasive, and complications from the PSG itself are rare.
CPAP or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure is the most common obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) therapy. As you know, with this sleep apnea therapy, your patients wear a nasal or facial mask while they sleep. Their mask connects to a CPAP machine that delivers positive air flow to maintain an open airway during sleep.
Sleep disorders have been a huge health problem in the U.S., including sleep apnea. In fact, around 22 million Americans are currently suffering from sleep apnea and 80 percent of these sleep apnea cases are moderate to severe undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
If your patient comes to you reporting poor quality of sleep, there's a good chance they may be suffering from sleep apnea. A few sleep study tests can usually help provide a diagnosis.
Many people aren't getting the adequate amount of sleep required for their bodies to function properly. While some individuals just need more sleep because of family, social, or work obligations impacting their shut-eye, others may have an untreated sleep disorder that keeps them from getting good quality sleep each night.
Does your patient complain of waking up with a headache in the morning or tell you they're just as tired the next morning as they were before they went to sleep the night before? Does their spouse sleep in a separate room because your patient’s snoring, choking, or gasping exhaust them each night?
