Conquering Sleep Apnea

Hi David,

The article is very interesting, and I want to pass it allong to my friends. When I click for the printer friendly version, hoping to get only text, your picture with all the wires comes up too.  I was wondering if there is any way to delete this picture and have only text version.

Regards William

continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, which is the standard treatment for overweight people who have sleep apnea

David, I am shocked and offended by your inclusion of terms "standard treatment for overweight people" in the above statement.  CPAP machines are the standard treatment for sleep apnea.  Weight is not a deciding factor in using a  cpap machine but rather the sleep apnea diagnosis.  People who are thin and have sleep apnea also use CPAP machines.  CPAP machinea are not just for overweight people who have sleep apnea.  It is great that you no longer need a CPAP machine but you are very insensitive and biased in this article. 

cindy

The article on testing for sleep apnea at home is no longer available. :-(

I was diagnosed with the most severe form of sleep apena...weighing 105 lbs, 165 lbs and now 125 lbs.  At 165 lbs I was diagnosed with Diabetes (2007).  I have a CPAP machine but am not sure it is working correctly while I sleep at night...glad they are now giving test at home...I would love to conquer my sleep apnea!

A smile would make that photo much less depressing.  I know, you were thinking about the removal of all of those sensors, so I guess I understand. <G>

Another wannabe skinny old man

A sleep study was never suggested by my doctor but after a little information from there and here, I asked for one and did it on an out of pocket budget. It's been two months and I now own a ResMed Autoset II which is a self adjusting CPAP machine which is called an APAP. Since beginning my study and treatment, I've immersed myself in studying about sleep apnea. There are different types than the most common which is usually, but not always, associated with snoring and snorting.

My point is twofold. First is that the treatment has made a positive result with my daily life and I look forward for even further improvements of things cause by the stress of oxygen desaturation. Second is that there are so many people out there with apnea that either do not know it or refuse to consider it.

In discussing it on the telephone at work with some distant coworkers, one of my local coworkers overheard it and later asked me about it as his young girls not only tease him about his snoring but, and this is key, said that he stops breathing from time to time. So I feel the need to talk about it and spread the word.

I want to thank Dave and my friend Steve L. in Minnesota for being two people who indirectly pushed me to look into all of this further.