Sleep Apnea Products

Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common medical conditions suffered by people with type 2 diabetes, but many people are unaware of its scope and impact. A study recently presented at the American Association of Diabetes Educators meeting suggests that while 94% of doctors recognize the connection between sleep apnea and diabetes, only 47% screen for the condition in their patients. The study estimates that about 85% of sleep apnea cases in people with diabetes go undiagnosed. In patients with sleep apnea, the upper airway collapses during sleep, preventing air from moving through the airway freely. Sometimes the person stops breathing entirely for several seconds, and this can happen hundreds of times a night. A bed partner may witness gasps that are followed by a coughing sound, as the person struggles to resume breathing.

Sleep apnea not only disturbs sleep, it also results in lower levels of oxygen in the blood. Untreated sleep apnea is a risk factor for high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. For people with type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea can worsen diabetes control and make it harder to lose weight or stick to a regular exercise regimen.

Fortunately, there are many companies selling and developing sleep apnea products, including ResMed, Covidien, DeVilbiss, and Philips, among others. The most common treatment for sleep apnea is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which maintains an elevated level of air pressure throughout the night and keeps the patient’s airway open.

We recently met with representatives of ResMed who discussed with us the three types of CPAP masks they manufacture: nasal masks (fitting around the nose), face masks (covering the entire face), and nasal pillows (resting inside the nose). Also, there are different kinds of air pressure units, some of which give constant pressure and some that can vary the pressure level automatically.

If you have been experiencing problems like chronic fatigue or a difficulty concentrating, we encourage you to bring up sleep apnea with your doctor. To determine if you actually have sleep apnea, you’ll probably need to have a sleep study (which is usually done over one night in a clinic) to measure your breathing patterns while you’re asleep. If the study confirms a diagnosis of sleep apnea, your doctor will advise you on how to proceed with treatment. Always check with your insurance provider to be certain a specific product is covered.