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Bleep’s DreamPorts Sleep Solution is added to SleepGlad Mask Fitting Platform
Users of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) mask fitting solution for mobile devices can now benefit from Bleep’s mask-free CPAP product Bleep LLC, maker of the DreamPort® mask-less CPAP solution, is now available as a potential CPAP solution on SleepGlad’s AI-driven platform. SleepGlad is a cloud-based PAP mask fitting platform for HME and DME providers. The technology allows patients to take a “selfie,” and it will automatically scan the contours of their face and identify the best PAP solutions. The solution is manufacturer neutral, meaning providers can customize preferences including incorporating a list of manufacturers without being bound to one manufacturer’s product. “Virtual PAP mask fitting has improved supply chain optimization for PAP set-up both for in-home and in-office visits. Physicians and respiratory technicians are turning to AI technologies like SleepGlad to ensure that PAP patients have a good fit out of the box,” said David Baxter, president of SleepGlad. “Remote setups save valuable time and money for patients, providers and payers and SleepGlad’s technology allows technicians and physicians to ensure that patient’s unique PAP fitting needs are met efficiently.” In the US, diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea is increasing between 5 to 12 percent annually CAGR. Per the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), the economic burden of untreated sleep apnea is ~$150B annually. CPAP compliance is critical to optimize patient health and healthcare costs. Rebecca New, CEO of Bleep, LLC, stated, “Approximately 70 percent of non-compliant CPAP patients stated the top reason for not using their product was improper mask fit or complaints related to headgear. Our Dreamport® has no headgear or mask, is non-invasive, and finally offers patients the comfort and health outcomes that they deserve. We are thrilled to be validated by SleepGlad and look forward to helping CPAP users reach their health goals.” About SleepGlad (sleepglad.com) SleepGlad offers a patented, web-based 3D mask fitting solution for PAP and NIV patients that is built on AI technology and includes multiple manufacturer mask options. With machine learning, SleepGlad maximizes outcomes for compliance, minimizes mask refits, optimizes legacy masks into newer choices, and offers data-driven results. Patients simply take a selfie either remotely or in a clinical atmosphere. No app or software to download or hardware to purchase. They also offer a 100% guarantee. About Bleep Sleep (bleepsleep.com) Bleep Sleep Solutions, based in Chapel Hill, NC is a sleep solution company focused on improving sleep and sleep related health outcomes. The DreamPort® is a one-size-fits-all, single SKU CPAP solution with zero headgear. It has been clinically proven not to leak, eliminates mask lines and facial irritation. It is compatible with all CPAP machines and covered by all major insurance plans. DreamPort is FDA cleared, and manufactured entirely in the United States. DreamPort provides respiratory support for patients who need continuous positive air pressure solution, such as sleep apnea.
Learn moreTreatment of Sleep Apnea May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer Disease, Dementia
Use of positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) through positive airway pressure therapy (PAP) may also reduce risk of developing Alzheimer disease (AD) and dementia in older adults, according to study findings published in Sleep. With a growing prevalence among the US population, OSA is characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep leading to sleep fragmentation and intermittent hypoxemia. Moreover, OSA has been found to be associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms, including cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety. As the current gold standard of treatment for OSA, PAP therapy works to prevent the collapse of the airway during sleep and has been associated with improving depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment in a prior single patient case study. Researchers of the present study sought to further assess the impact of PAP therapy on cognition in older adults, including risk of developing AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Conducting a retrospective analysis of data derived from Medicare 5% fee-for-service claims (N = 53,321; ≥ 65 years), participants with OSA diagnoses prior to 2011 were evaluated via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes for the neurocognitive conditions (AD, n = 1057; dementia, n = 378; MCI, n = 443) over a 3-year period. “Logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic and health characteristics, were used to estimate associations between PAP treatment or adherence and new AD, dementia, and MCI diagnoses,” noted the study authors. Of the study cohort, more than half were men (59%), 90% were non-Hispanic White, and 62% were younger than 75 years. Furthermore, 78% of the recruited Medicare beneficiaries were prescribed PAP, of which 74% showed adherent therapy usage. After accounting for potential confounders, findings of adjusted models indicated that patients treated with PAP were at lower risk of incident diagnoses of AD (odds ratio [OR], 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.89) and dementia (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.55-0.85), compared with non-users. “If a causal pathway exists between OSA treatment and dementia risk, as our findings suggest, diagnosis and effective treatment of OSA could play a key role in the cognitive health of older adults,” said study principal investigator Tiffany J. Braley, MD, MS, an associate professor of neurology at the University of Michigan, in a statement. Additionally, PAP users were found to have lower odds of developing MCI (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.66-1.02), with PAP-adherent patients also presenting with lower odds of incident diagnoses of AD (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56-0.76). Reference Dunietz GL, Chervin RD, Burke JF, Conceicao AS, Braley TJ. Obstructive sleep apnea treatment and dementia risk in older adults. Sleep. Published online March 26, 2021. doi:10.1093/sleep/zsab076
Learn moreThe Dangers of Untreated Sleep Apnea
There are approximately 936 million adults suffering from mild to severe sleep apnea worldwide, with the U.S. being one of the countries with the most cases. It’s worrying since a number of sleep apnea cases remain undiagnosed and, consequently, untreated. It’s a common misconception that sleep apnea is just horrible snoring, as it’s an actual disorder that can lead to serious health concerns. Understanding Sleep Apnea A person afflicted with sleep apnea may stop breathing for a time during sleep. There are two main types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. OSA, the most common type, is caused by poor muscle tone in the throat, which makes the airway floppy and obstructs airflow. On the other hand, central sleep apnea doesn’t involve any blockages of the airways. It happens when the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles that regulate breathing. Central sleep apnea often occurs in patients with other medical conditions that may be related to the nervous system. Both types of sleep apnea share common symptoms, the most typical one being loud snoring. But sleep apnea is also characterized by daytime fatigue and sleepiness, difficulty focusing, mood swings, abrupt awakenings with gasping or choking, waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat, morning headaches, and night sweats. While sleep apnea is more common in adults, it can affect children, too. The Effects of Sleep Apnea Most people gloss over the fact that sleep apnea could have negative effects on their overall health. For one, OSA can lead to cardiovascular problems. The sudden decrease in blood oxygen levels that occur during OSA could trigger an increase in blood pressure and strain the heart, leading to hypertension and higher risks of heart disease. Severe OSA increases the likelihood of coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and even death. Furthermore, sleep apnea is strongly linked to the incidence of type 2 diabetes, creating insulin resistance in the bloodstream. Apart from chronic diseases, sleep apnea has the ability to decrease a patient’s quality of life. Those with the disorder get poor-quality sleep that causes exhaustion and fogginess. For children, this may cause them to do poorly in school and have mental disturbances. And for adults, it becomes increasingly difficult, if not dangerous, to perform daily tasks such as driving or cooking due to extreme drowsiness and mood issues. Treatment Options There are about 38,000 deaths annually attributed to complications and comorbidities related to sleep apnea. Because it could lead to more serious conditions and it essentially stops a person from breathing for periods of time while asleep, sleep apnea needs to be treated in a timely manner. To get diagnosed with sleep apnea, a doctor would need to perform evaluations and sleep studies. This may prove challenging given the COVID-19 protocols and limited mobility due to the pandemic— not to mention that physicians and nurses have become very in-demand, further exacerbating the shortage of healthcare professionals. Fortunately, strategies like telemedicine and online learning have helped address the shortage. Telemedicine allows physicians to see more patients through virtual visits, opening up accessibility for care and consultation. On the other hand, online learning is also helping produce more graduates to meet the country’s healthcare needs. Nurses today can train to specialize in tracks like pulmonary care and respiratory therapy without ever leaving work, thanks to online RN to BSN programs that provide courses to help them upskill and improve their knowledge. These BSN graduates are therefore more adept at handling patients within their chosen fields. In the case of sleep apnea, it takes a specialized care team to implement treatment. And as these programs are taught by accredited instructors and institutions, the nurses will come out prepared to do their job more effectively. Sleep apnea often requires a broad range of treatments from drugs, respiratory therapy, and devices like our DreamPortTM Sleep Solution CPAP mask. Our design ensures a snug yet comfortable fit with zero leaks to give you a good sleep experience. It’s also easy to use, making it a great device for home use. At the end of the day, a disorder like sleep apnea should be taken seriously, and should never be left untreated. Written by Aliyah Kaye CarterExclusive for bleepsleep.com
Learn moreBleep, LLC is thrilled to be labeled as “the best CPAP mask available right now”
We love us some Jason Sazama at FreeCpapAdvice.com, one of the best CPAP forums out there for assistance on CPAP use, but his videos are bleeping awesome and absolutely hilarious! We love this one especially, as he names the Bleep-DreamPort “DreamWay mask” as “the best nasal mask available…” in his latest video: Best Nasal CPAP Mask For Women (and long haired dudes): CPAP and Long Hair Give it watch and share the video!
Learn moreCovid-19 complications are a higher risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients.
It has been my policy to screen each patient and if present, treat and document compliance preoperatively. Because headgear can cause significant compliance issues, I am always looking for something that will be more tolerable for my patients and increase compliance” states Dr. Jon Bruce. DreamPort by Bleep, LLC is thrilled to be the headgear free CPAP solution of choice. Visit bleepsleep.com to support CPAP compliance and better health. https://en.calameo.com/sleeplabmagazine/read/006372046f70e8ffb5833
Learn moreObstructive Sleep Apnea as a Risk Factor for Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Abstract Background and Purpose: To determine whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk, we assessed premorbid OSA exposure of patients with nontraumatic ICH and matched controls. Methods: Ethnic/Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage is a multicenter, case-control study evaluating risk factors for ICH that recruited 3000 cases with ICH and 3000 controls. OSA status was ascertained using the Berlin Questionnaire as a surrogate for premorbid OSA. We performed logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association between OSA and ICH. Results: Two thousand and sixty-four (71%) cases and 1516 (52%) controls were classified as having OSA by the Berlin Questionnaire. Cases with OSA were significantly more likely to be male and have hypertension, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and higher body mass index compared with those without OSA. OSA was more common among cases compared with controls (71% versus 52%, odds ratio, 2.28 [95% CI, 2.05–2.55]). In a multivariable logistic regression model, OSA was associated with increased risk for ICH (odds ratio, 1.47 [95% CI, 1.29–1.67]). Conclusions: OSA is a risk factor for ICH. Footnotes *J.H. Geer and G.J. Falcone contributed equally.†H.K. Yaggi and K.N. Sheth contributed equally.This manuscript was sent to Liping Liu, Guest Editor, for review by expert referees, editorial decision, and final disposition.The Data Supplement is available with this article at https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/suppl/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.033342.For Sources of Funding and Disclosures, see page xxx.Correspondence to: Jacqueline H. Geer, MD, Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Yale University, 300 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06520. Email [email protected]
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