Having trouble sleeping is commonly reported throughout the world. According to the American Sleep Association (AMA), sleep disorders currently affect as many as 50 to 70 million U.S adults, and insomnia is the most commonly reported. As a sleep technologist, you should know that if your patients are unable to sleep, it can get them down. It can also be very dangerous. AMA reports that drowsy driving is responsible for as many as 1,550 deaths and 40,000 injuries per year on America’s roads.
Discover the 42 key terms all sleep technologists should know, so you can communicate more effectively in the workplace.
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For patients with sleep apnea, a visit to the doctor’s office all too often consists of a review of test results and downloads, a brief physical examination and a change in PAP pressure levels or mask size. What’s missing from this? The patient. A new initiative seeks to put patients back at the center of medical care where they belong.
For those of you preparing to take the RPSGT or RST exam, here is your chance!
Think you have what it takes to prepare for the RPSGT exam? Whether you're a new sleep technologist starting out or a sleep technologist who has been practicing for years, the reality is that taking or re-taking the RPSGT or RST credentialing exam may be in your near future. That being said, you may be thinking 'Where do I even begin?' The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities that the AAST offers that can help you perform your best on the RPSGT or RST exam. The BRPT also offers study tips for the RPSGT exam, and the content outline for the RST exam along with a suggested reading list are also available for RST exam candidates. In addition the AAST offers many opportunities for those preparing for a credentialing exam. We list some of them below:
What's with concussions and sleep? Lately much attention has been paid on professional, college, and all other levels in sports with regard to how to prevent concussions and how to treat athletes that may be concussed. This is very important as concussions can have long lasting detrimental effects. Recovery from a concussion can take longer for young children and teens. And if they have had a concussion, they are at increased risk for having another one and it may take even longer for recovery after several concussions.
How obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation are related This article was originally published in the A2Zzz Volume 25 Number 1 edition. To access the original article and references cited click here.
How do oral devices work for sleep apnea treatment? CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) therapy is still the most prescribed therapy option for reducing apnea symptoms, but as we discussed In a previous blog post, there are many different sleep apnea treatment options (like BPAP) that are readily available to patients. However, even with all of the options and advances in PAP therapy, some people are still unable to tolerate any kind of PAP due to discomfort. (And before you nod your head in agreement, we recommend that you check our list of remedies for common CPAP problems). 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 sleep apnea in some patients.
How do you know you have a sleep disorder that needs to be checked out? Everyone has difficulty sleeping now and again. But if your lack of shut-eye is an ongoing problem that may mean that you have a sleep disorder.
