Solutions for Sleep Apnea in Lansing
At Mid-West Sleep Center, we pride ourselves on offering unparalleled convenience and comprehensive care to our patients. We have three strategically located centers across the region, we ensure that quality sleep care is always within reach.
CPAP Solutions for Sleep Apnea in Lansing
Understanding CPAP Therapy
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is the leading treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Patients use a face or nasal mask connected to a CPAP machine, which delivers a steady stream of air to keep the airway open during sleep. This therapy significantly reduces daytime sleepiness, especially in those with moderate to severe OSA.
How Inspire therapy works
When you’re breathing better, you’re sleeping better
Inspire therapy is the only FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) therapy that works comfortably1 inside your body.
Eligibility requirements
To be a candidate for Inspire therapy, you must meet the following FDA indications:
- Age 18 or older
- Diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA
- Have tried and struggle with CPAP
Inspire therapy has been clinically tested for people with a body mass index (BMI) up to 40. Over 90%1 of U.S. adults are within this range. Most insurance policies have a BMI policy in place for Inspire therapy coverage. Talk to your provider or Inspire therapy-trained doctor for more information.
Inspire therapy is FDA-approved for use in pediatric patients with Down syndrome.
What is Inspire therapy?
Inspire therapy is a mask-free solution for people with obstructive sleep apnea who have tried and struggled with CPAP. Through a simple-to-use system including the Inspire implant, remote and app, Inspire therapy enables you to control your OSA treatment from the palm of your hand.
Non-mask sleep therapy
remedē® is a proven, implantable, non-mask sleep therapy specifically designed to treat central sleep apnea in a way that closely mirrors the body’s natural physiology. remedē was FDA-approved in 2017 for adults with moderate to severe central sleep apnea.
Benefits of Oral Appliances
Ease of Use: Worn like a sports mouthguard, these devices are comfortable and easy to use.
- Insurance Coverage: Typically covered under medical insurance plans.
- Convenience
Resources
Follow the following steps if you are unable to tolerate CPAP:
1. Wear the CPAP mask at home while awake for one hour each day.
2. Attach the mask to the CPAP device, and switch the unit “on”. Practice breathing through the mask for one hour while watching television, reading or performing some other sedentary activity.
3. Use the CPAP during scheduled one-hour naps at home.
4. Use CPAP during initial 3-4 hours of nocturnal sleep.
5. Use CPAP through an entire night of sleep.
Advance by one step after each five days, once the first step can be carried out without anxiety.
We have ordered the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Unit (CPAP) or BiPAP for you after determining the best pressure level in our Sleep Center.
As you know, this device is a treatment for your sleep disorder and should be used every night and/or anytime that you sleep.
It is important that you read the following recommendations and suggestions to help you with the proper use of this device.
1. Since your sleep is now deeper and more restful than before, you may notice a decrease in the number of hours of sleep you require to feel rested in the morning. If that is the case and you continue with the same schedule you had before using CPAP, you might conclude that you now have “insomnia.” All you have to do is to go to bed later or get out of bed earlier.
Make sure you go to bed and get out of bed at the same time every day. This may be difficult for some people but the effort it takes to establish a regular sleep/wake cycle will be justified by helping you feel more rested in the morning.
2. If you are taking medications to reduce your blood pressure, please try to monitor blood pressure for the first three months. CPAP use can sometimes improve your blood pressure. Report any dizziness to your doctor.
3. After a week of using CPAP, you should not be sleepy during the day. If you are still sleepy, please give us a call. This may be an indication of a problem with your CPAP device.
Your snoring should disappear completely. If at some point your bed partner notices you are snoring again, please let us know. You may need your CPAP unit adjusted.
4. The noise of the machine may initially be bothersome to you or your bed partner; generally it is a matter of just getting used to it. If after several weeks it continues to be bothersome you can explore options for making it quieter with your home-care company.
5. Try to place your machine in a dust free area. Generally, most people place the CPAP machine on a bedside table. It is important the filter not be obstructed by debris, bed clothes, or draperies and it be kept clean.
6. During the first few weeks of treatment you may experience some sneezing and perhaps a sensation of nasal obstruction. This is normal. Nasal congestion is the most common side-effect of CPAP therapy. Many times this will resolve itself as you become adjusted to your CPAP unit. It may take up to four weeks.
7. If the cool air is bothersome, you can run the tubing beneath the covers or wrap with a heating pad to warm the air passing through the tubing. Your home-care company may be able to provide you with an extra length of tubing if needed.
8. A common cause of nasal congestion is the drying and cooling of the upper airway by your CPAP device. This is responsible for the feeling of dryness in the throat or nose. This is normal. Many times this will resolve itself as you become adjusted to your CPAP unit. It may take up to four weeks. If dryness persists, it is possible to prevent or alleviate the dryness by increasing the humidity in the room where your CPAP device is located. A room humidifier placed about eight feet away from you CPAP unit can accomplish this, or your home-care company can supply a humidifier which attaches directly to your CPAP device.
9. If you become congested while using CPAP the use of a saline nasal mist or gel at bedtime and when you wake up during the night will help to decrease this. Such products are available at most drugstores and you do not need a prescription for them. Two are ” Ayr ” and “Ocean.”
10. If, after four to six weeks of CPAP use and taking the above two measures you continue to experience irritation of your nose, please contact your doctor. There are some prescription medications that might help.
11. If you wake up during the night or in the morning with a dry mouth and throat, you may be sleeping with your mouth open. Contact us or your home-care company for suggestions to help you learn to sleep with your mouth closed.
12. It is necessary to follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions given to you by your home-care company. Proper cleaning and maintenance will extend the life of your equipment and insure it functions properly.
13. The CPAP machine eliminates the interruptions of your respirations at night regardless of your weight. However, losing weight will improve your health and may allow us to decrease the pressure used on your machine. In some cases, we have been able to discontinue the use of CPAP altogether. However, if you gain weight we may need to increase your pressure. If you have a gain or loss in weight please contact us.
14. If you require surgery or hospitalization for any reason make sure you inform your physician of your diagnosis and the need to use this machine with all sleep. Please take your device to the hospital so it can be used during your hospitalization, particularly when you are sedated before and after your surgery. We will be happy to cooperate with your doctors if they consider it necessary.
15. You should be able to use CPAP all night long, every night. If, after trying these suggestions, you cannot sleep through the night, please contact the home-care company, your physician, or us . It is very important you use your CPAP. Don’t worry about who to call, just call anyone of us and we will be sure you get the help you need!
These suggestions will help prevent you from the risk of drowsy driving.
1. If you feel tired or drowsy don’t drive. Sleepiness is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents and accounts for 40% of all fatal crashes reported on the NYS Thruway. No matter how much you think you can control sleepiness, you can’t.
2. Ensure you follow your doctor’s advice about the treatment for your sleep disorder. For example, if you have sleep apnea and use CPAP, ensure you use it fully the night before your trip.
3. Get a good night’s sleep before driving. Do not cut yourself short of sleep if you plan a long drive the next day. Get to bed early and do not stay up late packing.
4. Avoid alcohol both the night before your trip and during your trip. Alcohol will disrupt sleep and make you more tired the next day. Sleepiness and alcohol are additive in increasing impairment of your driving ability.
5. Avoid any sedative medications, including sedative antihistamines like Benadryl that are often contained in cold or allergy medications, the night before you drive as they may have long lasting effects the next day.
6. Travel during non-sleeping hours. Accidents due to sleepiness are more common during the nighttime hours.
7. If sleepy, stop and rest. Drink coffee, walk around or have a brief nap in your car if you are sleepy. Have a 10 -15 minute break after every 2 hours of driving.
8. Drive with a companion. Share the driving. Relax in the back seat until it is your time to share the driving again.
1. Weight Reduction
Reducing your weight is likely to make a difference to your condition. Certainly, increasing weight will make your snoring and sleep related breathing irregularities worse. It is important that you try to reach an ideal body weight and maintain the weight loss. Reducing your weight will also decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Remember to be more physically active as well as eating less.
2. Alcohol Intake
Alcohol is a potent sedative that can induce irregular breathing apneas in healthy people. Alcohol will not only increase the number of apneas but also will make them longer and cause the oxygen level in the blood to become reduced. It is very important that alcohol be avoided within four to six hours of bedtime.
3. Other Sedative Medications
Sedative medications include sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-allergy pills, some cold medicines, some anti epilepsy drugs, and some medications used for psychiatric conditions. As with alcohol, sedative medications are likely to worsen your breathing irregularities. Consult your physician before taking sedative medication. Definitely do not use any sedative medication with alcohol, as the effects will potentate several times.
4. Sleep Deprivation
Try to maintain a regular sleep pattern with a full 8 hours of sleeping time. Any loss of sleep will increase your sleep drive the next night and your breathing irregularities are likely to become more severe.
5. Sleep Position
Sleeping on your back is likely to increase the amount of breathing irregularities as your tongue tends to obstruct the back of your throat resulting in a decrease in the size of the upper airway. Controlling your position during sleep is not easy. You may like to try placing a tennis ball in a sock pinned to the back of your pajama jacket to prevent you from rolling onto your back. A marble sewn into a pocket on the back of your pajama may also work.
6. Bed Position
Elevate the head of your bed 4 to 6 inches to take some of the pressure off your diaphragm. This will ease breathing during sleep. You can put bricks or wood blocks under the legs of the head of your bed so it will be on a slight incline.
7. Colds and Allergies
Any infection affecting your nasal passages or throat will cause swelling and tend to worsen breathing irregularities. Treat nasal allergies or infections promptly and keep in close communication with your physician.
8. Meals
Large meals should be avoided at least two hours before bedtime. A large meal will increase the pressure on the diaphragm and worsen your breathing. It may also predispose you to regurgitation of stomach contents during sleep, which will provoke irritation of the upper airway. Eat your large meals at least three to four hours before bedtime.
9. Smoking
Nicotine and other substances contained in cigarettes when inhaled will provoke irritation of the upper airway and worsen your breathing irregularities. Try to stop smoking altogether.
Falling Asleep
If you can’t get to sleep, rather than trying harder and harder to fall asleep, try getting out of bed and doing something else. Preferably, move to another room and return to bed only when sleepy.
If you have trouble getting to sleep, establish a routine for an hour or so each night before bedtime, such as reading, taking a warm shower or bath, light exercise, or resting quietly.
Avoid too much mental stimulation during the hour or so prior to bedtime. Read a “light novel or watch a relaxing TV program; do not finish office work or discuss family finances with your spouse, for example.
Stress
Almost everyone experiences an occasional night of lost or disturbed sleep. It is a natural, perhaps adaptive, response to acute stress.
Naps
If you are having troubles falling asleep at night avoid naps in the early afternoon or early evening.
Getting Up
No matter how poorly you have slept the night before, always set your alarm to arise at the same time each morning.
Exercise
Regular exercise can be an effective aid to sleep. It releases energy and mental tensions. It is better not to exercise strenuously 3-4 hours before bedtime.
Noises
Occasional loud noises from aircraft, streets, or highways disturb sleep even in people who do not awaken and who cannot remember the noise in the morning. These sleep disturbances can reduce restful sleep. People who sleep near excessive noise should try heavy curtains in their bedrooms or ear plugs to protect the amount of restful sleep they get.
Hunger
Hunger may disturb sleep. A light snack, especially warm milk, seems to help people get to sleep.
Food
Various foods stimulate the body and disturb sleep. Avoid coffee, tea, and cola drinks near bedtime. Avoid late heavy meals.
Sleep Patterns
Everyone has a unique sleeping pattern. Some adults need 10 hours a night. Other adults need only 5 hours a night. Many people function best with approximately 8 hours of sleep. Your requirement for sleep is unique. What is effective for your husband, your wife, or your friends is not what may be helpful to you. If you need only 5 hours of sleep a night, do not worry about it, or try to force longer sleeping hours. Instead, learn to use your extra waking hours for something you would like to do or get done.
Quantity and Quality
Everyone’s sleep needs change. The amount and quality of sleep varies in the course of each person’s life. The infant may require 16 hours of sleep each day; an elderly person may sleep 3 to 4 hours at night with frequent naps during the day. Changes in the length and depth of sleep are a normal part of life. Within limits the quality of our sleep is more important than quantity.
Symptom of A Medical Problem
Sleeping problems may signal a medical condition such as anxiety, depression, and other disorders. It is important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of a chronic sleep disturbance.
Pregnancy
Excessive sleepiness the first 3 months of pregnancy is normal don’t worry about it. Pregnant women also tend to sleep about two more hours at night.
Medications/Alcohol
An occasional sleeping pill may be of some benefit, but chronic (nightly) use of sleeping pills may actually hinder good sleep. Natural sleep is the best sleep.
Sleeping medications should be used with caution and only upon the advice of a physician, especially in the elderly, pregnant women, people with respiratory disease, kidney disease, or a liver impairment.
If your doctor prescribes a sleep medication, ask for clear directions and information about the particular drug you are to take. Some sleeping pills have a prolonged effect, and can impair your coordination and driving skill the following day.
Sleep medications should be used only for the short-term management of a sleep complaint. Do not self-medicate or increase the dosage yourself. If you feel that your medication is losing its effect, report this to your doctor.
Although alcohol may help to induce sleep, the chronic use of larger quantities of alcohol causes disturbed sleep and dependency.
- Develop a sedentary evening routine, which begins before the desired bedtime
- Use the bedroom only for sleep.
- Go to bed only when you feel sleepy or tired.
- If sleep does not occur easily or within a reasonable time, get out of bed, go to a comfortable living area and do something relaxing.
- Return to bed when you feel sleepy or tired.
- Get up at the same, predetermined time each morning regardless of how poorly you slept that night.
- Avoid daytime naps.
Restless Legs Syndrome is an overwhelming urge to move the legs usually caused by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs.
The sensations have the following features:
- Occur during periods of inactivity
- Become more sensitive in the evening and at night
- Are relieved by movement of the limb
- Often cause difficulty staying or falling asleep, which leads to feelings of daytime tiredness or fatigue
- May cause involuntary jerking of the limbs during sleep and sometimes during wakefulness
If you do have restless legs syndrome (RLS), you are not alone. Up to 8% of the US population may have this neurologic condition. Many people have a mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely affects the lives of millions of individuals.
Do I need any tests to diagnose RLS?
After ruling out other medical conditions as the cause of your symptoms, your healthcare provider can make the diagnosis of RLS by listening to your description of the sensations. No laboratory test confirms your diagnosis of RLS; however, a thorough examination, including necessary laboratory tests, can reveal temporary disorders, such as iron deficiency, that may be associated with RLS. Some people (including those with PLMS and without the abnormal limb sensations of RLS) will require an overnight testing of sleep to determine other causes of the sleep disturbance.
Is RLS hereditary?
RLS often runs in families. Researchers are currently looking for the gene or genes that may be responsible for RLS.
Is there a known cause for RLS?
Research into the cause of RLS is ongoing and answers are limited. The type of RLS that runs in families is known as primary or familial RLS. The syndrome can also appear as a result of another condition, which worsens the underlying RLS. If you have no family history of RLS and no underlying or associated conditions causing the disorder, your RLS is said to be idiopathic, meaning without a known cause.
How common is RLS?
Rigorous epidemiologic studies into the true prevalence of RLS are underway. However, several studies have been conducted that look at the rate of response to questions such as Do you have a creepy, crawly sensation in your legs at night when you attempt to sleep? Positive rates have ranged from 3% to 15%.
What are the newest treatments for RLS?
No drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of RLS. Several drugs approved for other conditions have undergone clinical studies in RLS and are found to be helpful. Our Medical Bulletin contains the latest treatment information.
What non-drug treatments are recommended for RLS?
Self-directed activities that counteract your sensations of RLS appear to be very effective, although temporary, solutions to managing the disorder. You may find that walking, stretching, taking a hot or cold bath, massaging your affected limb, applying hot or cold packs, using vibration, performing acupressure, and practicing relaxation techniques (such as biofeedback, meditation, or yoga) may help reduce or relieve your symptoms. You may also find that keeping your mind actively engaged through activities such as reading a gripping novel, performing intricate needlework, or playing video games helps during times that you must stay seated, such as when you are traveling.
Can taking vitamin or mineral supplements help my RLS?
If an underlying iron or vitamin deficiency is found to be the cause of your restless legs, supplementing with iron, vitamin B or folate (as indicated) may reduce or even alleviate your symptoms. Because the use of even moderate amounts of some minerals (such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and calcium) can impair your body’s ability to use other minerals or can cause toxicity, you should use mineral supplements only on the advice of your healthcare provider.
Are there any medications that can make RLS worse?
Yes. These drugs include calcium-channel blockers (used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions), Reglan (metoclopramide), mose antinausea medications, some cold and allergy medications, major tranquilizers (including haloperidol and phenothiazines), and the antiseizure medication, phenytoin. One report indicates that medications used to treat depression increase the symptoms of RLS. Always be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all the medicines you are taking, including herbal and over-the-counter medications.
Are there any substances that should be avoided?
The use of caffeine often intensifies RLS symptoms. Caffeine-containing products, including chocolate and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks should be avoided. The consumption of alcohol also increases the span or intensity of symptoms for most individuals.
I suspect that my child may have RLS. Is this possible?
RLS affects people of all ages. Previously, RLS was believed to be a disorder affecting only adults. Many adults can now trace back their first symptoms to childhood when they were told their discomfort was “growing pains.” Evidence connecting RLS and Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is growing.