"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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an AHI of 1 Can Be Deadly
Dr. Mack Jones is among a small group of physicians/researchers who believe that even an AHI of 1 can be deadly (he also cited Dr. Barbara Phillips as a proponent of this view). As many of you know, under conventional standards, if you have an AHI of <5, you're considered "normal" and do not require treatment. If anything other than an AHI of zero is a serious health risk, as Dr. Jones and others believe it is, it raises the question for me of whether CPAP should require a prescription. Should it be something, like a vitamin, that health conscious individuals are able to use without a formal diagnosis of Sleep Apnea?
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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For the most part and the vast majority of patients that have just plain garden variety OSA self-treatment is an option. Like all medical conditions one should have input from the medical profession but there are many sleep professionals that are as ignorant about various options when it comes to sleep apnea. I had an RT argue that a "smart cpap" with a pressure range of 8 - 12 included an M series PLUS machine. As we all know an M Plus series is not a "smart cpap" and it can not handle a pressure range.
Without a sleep study one can not determine if other sleep disorders are present -- but if one can not afford a sleep study due to a lack of insurance or available funds should one be denied access to treatment? If a script was not needed would the price of the machines come down and be more affordable? Look at generic medicines -- they are almost always cheaper and when they go over the counter the price even drops further. Down side if the script is no longer required then insurance may not pick up the cost of the machine. Although I do think there are some durable medical equipment that insurance does cover on doctor's order such as wheelchairs, crutches, etc.
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