AirCare Home Medical - Sleep Medicine

GO TO SLEEP MEDICINE PRODUCTS

PRINT A PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR DOCTOR TO USE TO ORDER SUPPLIES

Welcome to AirCare Home Medical's Sleep Medicine Department!

At AirCare Home Medical, we know how important one's sleep is. That's why AirCare Home Medical is a leading provider in Sleep Apnea services and products.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) affects roughly 18 million Americans, the majority of whom are undiagnosed or untreated. The condition can be debilitating, resulting in excessive daytime sleepiness as well as affecting relationships at work and at home, and OSA is potentially deadly in severe cases. This condition occurs when tissues in the upper airway, such as the uvula, tonsils, and tongue obstruct the trachea while asleep, progressing to symptoms such as snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure (hypertension), and even heart attacks and strokes.

With a staff committed to educating our patients on their condition, and with complete training on your equipment, AirCare Home Medical insures that you are not presented with a medical device with little idea of how it works or how to use it. Our commitment to you includes working to help you achieve the highest level of education and understanding so you can take control of your condition and obtain maximal results from the therapy.

Our Respiratory Therapists are trained on the aspects of sleep disorders and exhibit years of experience with the use of the equipment and therapy involved in correcting OSA.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: 

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is caused by the closing of the upper airway while asleep. The uvula, tongue, and soft pallet collapse on the back wall of the upper airway. This, along with the possibility of your airway flattening due to the negative pressure created when trying to breathe, creates an obstructed airway preventing little air from entering the lungs. In order to breathe, the person must arouse or awaken, sometimes hundreds of times throughout the night, resulting in fragmented and non-restorative sleep.

The condition of Obstructive Sleep Apnea results in a decrease in one’s blood-oxygen levels (SaO2) and an increase in the blood’s carbon dioxide (CO2). When the SaO2 drops, the heart will increase in pressure and accelerate in an attempt to oxygenate the body. As the CO2 increases, the brain will try to drive the person to breathe, ultimately waking them up and interrupting consolidated sleep.

Symptoms:

Most prominent symptoms are snoring, absence of breathing while asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, hypertension, and obesity. Other symptoms include lack of concentration, forgetfulness, uncharacteristic irritability, anxiety, depression, mood and/or behavioral changes, morning headaches, disorientation at awakening, and loss of sexual interest.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is made by a physician. After a physical examination of the upper airway and a subjective interview, if it is determined that you might have a sleep disorder, you will be asked to take a polysomnogram (sleep test). Most sleep centers and labs monitor 16 different sleep parameters including brain waves (EEG), heart (EKG), eye movement (EOG), chin movement, air flow, chest effort, abdominal effort, oxygen levels (SaO2), snoring, and limb movements (EMG). Each parameter serves to help the physician make a correct diagnosis.

Most patients do not experience difficulty in falling asleep in the lab due to excessive sleepiness. At the conclusion of the test, a scoring technician will score your sleep study and the physician will review it. A day or two later you will meet with the physician to review your study. At that time, along with your physician, you will determine the next course of action. Usually the sleep physician will recommend a second sleep test to determine if your sleep disorder can be treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), or bi-level airway pressure (Bi PAP). If it is determined that you have obstructive sleep apnea early in your study, the technician may elect to try to obtain CPAP / Bi PAP pressure settings in the same night. We call this a “split night study with titration�. You will be fitted with a CPAP breathing circuit in addition to the electrodes and put back in bed. While you are asleep, the technician will adjust (titrate) the CPAP pressure, trying to eliminate obstructive events and snoring.

Treatment:

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the industry standard and most effective treatment for OSA. CPAP flow generators present a continuous positive pressure to your upper airway, maintaining patency, and allowing you to resume normal breathing. CPAP is effective on 95% of patients with OSA. The units are reliable, quiet and efficient.

Continuous air pressure is induced through the nasal, nasal-oral, or oral only passages, holding the soft tissue of the uvula and soft palate, and the soft pharyngeal tissue in the upper airway in position so the airway remains open while you descend into the deeper stages of sleep and REM sleep. The pressure acts much in the same way as a splint, holding the airway open.

There are typically four methods of introducing the pressure and airflow of the CPAP or Bi level therapy to the patient. Nasal masks, nasal pillows, full-face mask (mouth and nose), and mouth only (Oracle).. The most common used is the nasal mask. There are many types and sizes of "interfaces" available.

AirCare Home Medical will be happy to show you many of the different styles of interfaces available. We will also be there to replenish your CPAP supply needs and service your equipment if necessary.

Bi-level (Bi Pap)

A Bi PAP unit is a dual pressure device enabling the patient to exhale easier due to a lowered expiratory pressure. They are prescribed for patients who have difficulty tolerating the continuous pressure of a CPAP, or for some patients with OSA and other sleep conditions.

Accessories for CPAP or Bi PAP

Heated humidifier: Is used to moisturize the air, making the therapy more comfortable.
Interfaces: Mask devices are available in many styles.

We recommend you call or come in to set an appointment to be fitted.
We also have Headgear, Tubing & Filters for your sleep medicine needs.

For more questions regarding sleep medicine, please email us at info@aircaremedical.com