CPAP Machines and Sleep Apnea Solution in St. John's
Definition
Are you concerned that you or your partner has sleep apnea? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine provides this definition:
“Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder that involves a decrease or complete halt in airflow despite an ongoing effort to breathe. It occurs when the muscles relax during sleep, causing the soft tissue in the back of the throat to collapse and block the upper airway. This leads to partial reductions (hypopneas) and complete pauses (apneas) in breathing that last at least 10 seconds during sleep. Most pauses last between 10 and 30 seconds, but some may persist for one minute or longer. This can lead to abrupt reductions in blood oxygen saturation, with oxygen falling as much as 40% or more in severe cases.
The brain responds to the lack of oxygen by alerting the body, causing a brief arousal from sleep that restores normal breathing. This pattern can occur hundreds of times in one night. The result is a fragmented quality of sleep that often produces an excessive level of daytime sleepiness.
Most people with OSA snore loudly and frequently, with periods of silence when airflow is reduced or blocked. They then make choking, snorting or gasping sounds when their airway reopens.”
Risk Groups
In helping to assess your risk for OSA, several factors increase your likelihood of developing the condition:
- Being overweight (Body Mass Index of 25 — 29.9) or obese (Body Mass Index of 30 and above)
- Large neck size — 17 inches or more for men; 16 inches or more for women
- Middle aged or older men; post-menopausal women
- Ethnic minorities
- Abnormalities of the bony and soft tissue structure of the head and neck
- Down Syndrome (adults and children)
- Children with large tonsils and adenoids
- Having a family member with OSA
- Endocrine disorders such as Acromegaly and Hypothyroidism
- Smoking
- Nocturnal nasal congestion due to abnormal morphology, rhinitis or both
Sleep Disordered Breathing
More than 2 million Canadians suffer from sleep disordered breathing. Are you one of them? And if you are, is there reason for concern? Let’s investigate…
Sleep disordered breathing is a condition characterized by repeated episodes of hypopnea (under-breathing) and apnea (not breathing) during sleep. Sleep disordered breathing can cause temporary elevations in blood pressure, lowered blood oxygen levels and over time, sustained high blood pressure and other very serious conditions. It should not go undiagnosed or untreated.
The most common form of sleep disordered breathing in St. John’s and throughout Newfoundland & Labrador is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), reportedly experienced to some degree by about 30% of men and 20% of women. When OSA is present, the upper airway closes either partially or fully during sleep, while efforts to breathe are ongoing.
How do you know if you have OSA?
- Chronic snoring and pauses in breathing, usually noticed by partners
- Disturbed sleep
- Frequent daytime grogginess
- Lack of concentration
Beyond a reduced quality of life and wellbeing, sleep disordered breathing can lead to many adverse health conditions. At HorizonAire, we offer tools to diagnose and treat your sleep disordered breathing in St. John’s and throughout the province. Talk to us now about how we can help you.
Self-Test
We recommend that you conduct a self-test to get started on your evaluation. If any of the following symptoms sound familiar, you may suffer from a sleep-related disorder:
- Do you snore loudly?
- Do you feel tired or sleepy during daylight hours?
- Have you been told that you stop breathing, gasp or choke while sleeping?
If you've answered yes to any of these questions, please take the test below. This questionnaire is used by some doctors to screen patients for sleep disorders. You can fill it out and see the results to assess your score. If necessary, you should share your results with your doctor.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
How likely are you to doze off or fall asleep in the following situations, in contrast to feeling just tired? This refers to your usual way of life in recent times. Even if you have not done some of these things recently, try to work out how they would have affected you. Use the following scale to choose the most appropriate number for each situation:
0=would never doze
1=slight chance of dozing
2=moderate chance of dozing
3=high chance of dozing
Print and fill out our Patient Sleep Questionaire below.
Add your numbers for each situation together to get your total score. Total possible score = 24. If your total is greater than 10 you require further assessment.
Home Sleep Screening Test
Take the first step to resolving your sleep issues! HorizoneAire makes it easy to complete an overnight sleep screening — right in the comfort of your home. Simply contact HorizonAire — our sleep screening diagnostic device can be used at home and will provide your doctor with the information needed to determine if you have a sleep disorder and what to do next.
Your results will determine if you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and if so, to what degree:
- Mild OSA (AH1 of 5-15): Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require little attention, such as watching TV or reading
- Moderate OSA (AHI of 15-30): Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require some attention, such as meetings or presentations
- Severe OSA (AHI of more than 30): Involuntary sleepiness during activities that require more active attention, such as talking or driving
AHI refers to Apnea-Hypopnea Index, an average that represents the combined number of apneas and hypopneas that occur per hour of sleep.
ApneaLink Air Home Sleep Test Tutorial
Treatment
Everyone deserves a good night's sleep!
If your overnight sleep study indicates that you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), then you may be prescribed Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. A CPAP machine is one of the most common and effective treatments of OSA. CPAP machines in St. John’s help provide a steady stream of pressurized air to patients through a mask that they wear during sleep. This airflow helps keep the airway open, preventing pauses in breathing and restoring normal oxygen levels. Patients can choose from numerous mask sizes and styles to achieve a good fit. Heated humidifiers that connect to CPAP units contribute to patient comfort.
When you are ready to be set up with the CPAP therapy device, a trained Respiratory Therapist from HorizonAire will provide a complete education on the equipment and answer your questions. We'll ensure that you understand exactly how to use your device for best results.
CPAP Options and Pricing
Our team can help you choose the best CPAP option for your individual needs. If you are a first time user, we strongly recommend you have a trial rental prior to purchase. If CPAP therapy treatment works successfully for you, our rental policy allows you to apply your rental paid invoices as a down payment toward the purchase of a CPAP device (maximum $450.00) providing you purchase within your first 90 days.
Option 1: Rental CPAP
- Auto CPAP device
- Heated humidifier
- Any mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- $150.00/month rental
Option 2: Rent-To-Own Re-Rental CPAP
Re-rental CPAP Auto with heated humidifier and mask included:
- Auto CPAP device
- Heated humidifier
- Any mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- 1 year warranty
- $450.00 down payment, $100.00/month thereafter for 12 months, no interest
- Purchase price $1650.00 (no tax)
Option 3: Quality Care New Device Purchase
- Auto CPAP Device Model ICON + Auto
- Heated humidifier
- Heated breathing tube
- Trial mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- New mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- 3 year manufacturer’s warranty
- 3 year dealer support coverage +
- SensAwake Technology
For Current Pricing Please Contact Our Office
Option 4: Advanced Quality Care New Device Purchase
- Auto CPAP device model ResMed S10
- Integrated heated humidifier
- Climate line tubing
- My Air Technology - online support system
- Trial mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- New mask (nasal, nasal pillows, full face)
- 3 year manufacturer’s warranty
- 5 year dealer support coverage +
For Current Pricing Please Contact Our Office
Option 5: For the Travelling CPAP Patient
World’s smallest Travel CPAP, truly unbelievable!
- Weight: 0.66 lbs. (300 grams), Size: 5.4 X3.3 X2” (13.6 X8.4 X5.2cm)
- AutoSet Functionality
- Phone App (iOS & Android), Bluetooth & MyAir Technology
- Waterless Humidification
- AirFit Mask Compatible
- 2-Year Warranty
For Current Pricing Please Contact Our Office
Equipment Decisions
HorizonAire offers quality CPAP devices and CPAP masks manufactured by world renowned manufacturers such as ResMed Corporation and Fisher and Paykel Heathcare, as well as many others.
Choosing a Mask
One of the most important equipment decisions is choosing your mask. HorizonAire can help you select the right mask for your unique needs. Your mask should fit easily and comfortably with a good seal that prevents leaks into or around the eyes. The first thing to establish is how you naturally breathe (through the mouth, nose, or both). Secondly, establish if you are sensitive to enclosed spaces or have allergies. HorizonAire has a large selection of quality masks for you to choose from. Our Sleep Consultant is happy to help you.
AVAILABLE CPAP MASKS BY MANUFACTURER
Follow Up
As our slogan says, HorizonAire believes in Helping You Breathe Easy! With that in mind, we realize that close follow-up during the initial weeks of CPAP use is crucial for long term benefits. HorizonAire staff will be available to offer helpful compliance tips and to address any concerns you may have regarding your treatment.
