Hypertension, most commonly referred to as "high blood pressure", HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated. It was previously referred to as arterial hypertension, but in current usage, the word "hypertension" without a qualifier normally refers to arterial hypertension.
2008-03-12

Medicare and Sleep Apnea Devices - CPAP Therapy

0 comments

Among elderly, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is within 24% of the people who live independently, 33% of respondents in the acute care institutions, and 42% who are in nursing homes. It is no wonder, then, that there are always questions about Medicare and sleep devices.

Of the approximately 85 recognized sleep disorders, sleep apnea is one of the most common, based on more than 12 million people in the United States alone. It is also one of the deadliest sleep disorders.

There are three types of sleep apnea, obstructive (OSA), central and mixed, of which OSA is the most prevalent. About two percent of women and four percent of men suffer from this problem to sleep. It is characterized by intermittent interruption of breathing due to obstruction of the airways during sleep.

This condition can be dangerous because those affected actually stops breathing during sleep, which in turn can lead to further complications, such as high blood pressure and heart problems. People with severe OSA may be breathing as many as 120 times in one night! In addition wake of the end of suffering, because for at least a few seconds after each episode, they never reach the deep sleep, for normal daily functioning.

In younger people, the causes of sleep apnea are known - obesity, male gender and high neck Scope, for example. But for older people, the underlying cause is not as well defined. Overweight, the rate is still one of the risk factors in the elderly.

Nevertheless, it is a hard fact that the prevalence of sleep apnea increases with the age and weight. Often there are lifestyles of older people with sleep apnea ebermaiger as alcohol consumption and smoking. Unfortunately, however, obstructive sleep apnea in older people is all too frequently diagnosed. In older people, and the consequences can distinguish ischemic heart disease, various arrhythmias, stroke, erectile dysfunction, permanent systemic or pulmonary hypertension, dementia and depression. Death can occur prematurely.

Treatment of OSA in older people is generally a conservative approach in the first. These include the Chair, then stopping any sleep aids or hypnotics, Maigung alcohol consumption and weight reduction where otherwise noted. Keep in mind that drugs are not the primary treatment of problems associated with sleeping apnea.

However, in conjunction with other measures, the doctors often before, the use of a mechanical device designed to overcome obstacles, the passages of the respiratory tract during the sleep. The device is called CPAP, for continuous positive airway pressure. This calculator helps in the relaxation of sleep disorders and declining snoring.

The good news for older people is that Medicare covers sleep apnea devices. All sleep under medicare equipment supplied from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A search on the Internet will uncover a number of providers, with the entire Medicare and sleep apnea equipment rental or purchase process for patients who qualify. Therefore, it is advisable to look for the latest state of development that Medicare will cover.

A last word is in order. You can either rent or buy CPAP machines. Before you buy coverage under Medicare, it is a good idea to see first month's rent if the mark is appropriate for you and in line with your lifestyle. If you are satisfied, then a purchase makes sense. Because you are with a CPAP device permanently.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Knechtel

What next?

You can also bookmark this post using your favorite bookmarking service:

Related Posts by Categories