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Why so many with Sleep Apnea?
Has anyone wondered why there are so many people with a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea these days - or have a theory as to why? I know I sound a bit conspiracy-theoried, but I am a bit suspicious, as there are an awful lot of sleep centers cropping up. Maybe it is because I am denial about my own diagnosis, but it seems that nearly everyone I meet needs the C-PAP too.
Sorry about my rant,
Becky
Views: 4964
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Matt on
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I think they used to just "let nature take its course", but with today's technology it's a quality-of-life issue. I do, however, feel it is budding field with much room for improvement.
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Permalink Reply by billy walker on
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I have to agree with Matt. Sleep apnea has been linked to several potentialy fatel conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart deseas and more. And other things like car crashes and such. But you never see in the news that yet another person died today because of sleep apnea. I am thankful that a cause of a condition is being treated. Most of the time we only treat the symptoms...
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Permalink Reply by Bex on
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Thanks, I have a feeling that my perspective will change when I experience some of the positive effects you speak of.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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You have to also keep in mind that sleep disorders are in their infancy as well. It has only been in the last 20 years or so that sleep has been studied and looked at with a more open mind in the medical field. I feel that the vast majority of adults, especially as we age have sleep apnea to some degree and just haven't been diagnosed.
I, too, am glad that the therapy is comparatively easy once it is optimized -- it is getting it to that point that is hard.
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Permalink Reply by Rooster on
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Bex, The guys have given you some good practical comments that I also endorse and now here are some less practical things to consider.
Do you realize you asked two different questions?
In your subject you ask, "Why so many with sleep apnea?"
The answer is "the modern diet". The vast majority of obstructive sleep apnea cases are caused by an underdeveloped jaw which results in a narrow airway. The jaw may be narrow side-to-side or front-to-back. When the muscles in the tongue and soft palate relax during sleep, the narrow airway is blocked.
Symptoms of an underdeveloped jaw are crowded teeth possibly corrected by braces and extractions; wisdom teeth which had to be extracted; recessed chin; and a tongue which is scalloped on the sides where it is jammed against the teeth.
Why do we have underdeveloped jaws? It is the modern diet. In the old days, many foods required a lot of chewing in order to consume enough calories. During the developing years, the chewing put stress on the jaw skeleton which caused it to grow wide and deep. Today, with minimal chewing during the developing years, the jaw is left undersized.
Gaining weight, especially while eating well and exercising regularly, is often the result of untreated sleep apnea. It has been commonly believed that weight gain causes sleep apnea. I believe underdeveloped jaws cause sleep apnea and the damage to sleep and the hormone system causes weight gain. The weight gain can cause the apnea to worsen and worse apnea causes more weight gain - the so-called deadly circle. To add to the problem, today have constant access to plenty of calorie-dense foods.
You also asked a second question, "why there are so many people with a diagnosis of Sleep Apnea these days?"
The answer to this is "capitalism". The original CPAP machine was introduced in 1981 by Australian Dr. Colin Sullivan and his associates. Soon thereafter some companies began producing and marketing CPAP machines to treat obstructive sleep apnea. Although slowed by governmental regulatory bodies, over the last thirty years the capitalists have greatly improved the machines, humidifiers and masks and aggressively marketed the technology throughout the developed world. The result for people like me has been renewed vigor in life and an extension of lifespan.
BTW, back to more practical matters, it looks like you have been using CPAP since at least November 4 and maybe don't feel renewed vigor? I highly recommend that everyone have the software (in your case Respironics Encore Viewer) to monitor the effectiveness of their therapy. The software will give you a daily timeline of the night showing each apnea, hypopnea and snore and what the CPAP pressure and mask leak was at the moment plus other data.
Without the software you cannot be sure that your therapy is working well. Many of us have used the data from the software to tweak out settings and finally achieve an optimal therapy. I will not be without my software.
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99 blurted out, "moderrn food are denuded of nutrients and sometime are downright harmful or of no value at all also we are treated with medication which are used to decide which of the evils are a better course to choose"
Care to provide any common examples?
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Permalink Reply by Jan Weiner on
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I honestly think Sleep Apnea is a current "IN" medical condition for doctors and sleep labs to make money
from.
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Their are many more people in general.We do not work (physically) like our ancestors did .No computers or microwave ovens or things we can not pronounce in our food. The fix ...Yeah it is an odd thought to strap a compressor on your face to sleep . IT sure beats waking up drenched in swett heart pounding feeling like a buss ran you over. Read labels, learn about making better choices with food , exercise and CPAP treatment.The world isnt out to get you ...untreated apnea Will !
Good sleep, Chris
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chris h said:Their are many more people in general.We do not work (physically) like our ancestors did .No computers or microwave ovens or things we can not pronounce in our food. The fix ...Yeah it is an odd thought to strap a compressor on your face to sleep . IT sure beats waking up drenched in swett heart pounding feeling like a buss ran you over. Read labels, learn about making better choices with food , exercise and CPAP treatment.The world isnt out to get you ...untreated apnea Will !
Good sleep, Chris
Good one Chris!
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I really appreciate the fact that you answered both questions. I have been concerned because of said capitalism, that perhaps not everyone that has been diagnosed actually has sleep apnea.
I was not aware of that you could monitor your sleep at home. I will certainly ask my doctor about it. Thanks!
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Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about.
The only way to attract doctors to the field, attract manufacturers to make machines, and attract DME infrastructure is to make those things lucrative right now.
And doctors, machines, and infrastructure are all needed if there is any hope of treating the estimated 80% of people with the condition who are presently undiagnosed.
People with miserable lives and serious health problems deserve to have better, longer lives. Sleep apnea shortens lives and ruins quality of life. The only way to get any docs/manufacturers/businessesmen to do anything about those problems is to make it profitable for them to do so. That's just the way the world works.
-jeff
Jan Weiner said:I honestly think Sleep Apnea is a current "IN" medical condition for doctors and sleep labs to make money
from.
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