Hey everyone, it’s Medicine Mondays again. Today is just a short post “Home Sleep Study Update”.
Home Sleep Study Update
So my home sleep study results came back. There was a nice detailed report, but the long and short of it is that I have mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Apparently, my pulse ox sometimes drops a little bit during sleep. Not to dangerous levels, but low enough to be a concern. Utilization of CPAP/APAP wasn’t strongly recommended, but they said it may be helpful and can be considered.
After speaking with my primary care physician, I’ve decided to try out an APAP.
What’s the difference between an APAP and a CPAP?
CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. However, the newer version of this is APAP – Automatic Positive Airway Pressure also known as “Auto CPAPs”. Essentially, it automatically adjusts the amount of pressure depending on what it believes the user needs at the time.
In general, APAP may be better for patients who have somewhat complex sleep apnea or tend to move around a lot at night when sleeping. This is requires slightly better tuning rather than the one setting that CPAP provides.
So when do you get it?
Well, I’m not sure how it works for other people. However, here on Hawaii you have to be referred out to the medical device place who give you the equipment. Your insurance then “rents” it for you.
After that, you are required to followup with your primary care provider for an in-face evaluation between 30 and 60 days from when you start using your APAP or CPAP.
Then depending on whether you actually use it or not, they may either continue to rent to you or allow you to purchase your own machine. I would imagine there may be some degree of deductible available or a portion is paid by the patient. However, I’m not at that level yet.
As always, I’ll keep you guys updated.
Anything else?
Yea.
Apparently one of my other friend was recently evaluated as well. I think this kind of goes under-diagnosed, and if you’re a loud snorer and feeling more tired, it may be worth being evaluated.
TL;DR
I have mild sleep apnea so I’m going to try an APAP.
I’ll keep you guys updated.
-Sensei
Agree? Disagree? Questions, Comments and Suggestions are welcome.
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