Untreated sleep apnea is serious. It may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke and may also worsen some heart conditions.

The standard treatment for sleep apnea is positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. PAP therapy is safe, easy, does not involve drugs and can be successful with a nightly treatment application.

• PAP therapy provides a stream of air pressure through your nose using a mask
• The air pressure keeps your airway open, allowing you to breathe freely while you sleep
• PAP therapy can alleviate the symptoms of OSA when used as prescribed

Liberty can help. In addition to our wide array of diabetes testing supplies and insulin pump products, Liberty offers a wide variety of PAP – Positive Air Pressure – devices and supplies with our no-risk guarantee and free shipping.

Proper treatment can prevent or reverse the serious effects of OSA. There are many treatment options for you and your physician to consider. Correcting OSA may involve one or more lifestyle changes plus PAP therapy.

Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercising regularly. Doctors say that losing as little as 10 percent of body weight can reduce moderate sleep apnea by 14 to 26 percent. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reports that moderate aerobic exercise at least four hours before bedtime improves overall sleep quality.

Avoiding alcohol and sedatives medications, as even one glass of wine just before bed can worsen your snoring and sleep apnea. You should avoid drinking alcohol for at least four hours before bed. Alcohol and sedative medications can relax the muscles in your throat which causes sleep apnea, as well as making it harder for your brain to “wake up” come morning.

What if OSA is left untreated?

The severity of OSA increases over time. Clinical studies have shown a very clear relationship between OSA and increased risk for other serious, often fatal conditions:

• Heart Failure - Almost half of atrial fibrillation and a third of cardiovascular patients also suffer from OSA
• Heart Attack - OSA is present in 70% of heart attack patients
• Hypertension - Individuals with diagnosed OSA are two to three time more likely to develop hypertension
• Type 2 Diabetes - Almost half of those with type 2 diabetes also have OSA
• Stroke - Moderate to severe sleep apnea triples stroke risk in men
• Mortality - Severe sleep apnea raises death risk by 46%
• Traffic Accidents - People with moderate to severe sleep apnea are up to 15 times more likely to be involved in a traffic accident

It is important to be an active participant in your care, and focus on the benefits of treatment. Feel free to contact liberty Medical about treatment options for sleep apnea as well as any other diabetes questions.

PAP therapy is a treatment, not a cure. During the initial weeks of therapy, you may encounter problems adjusting to the therapy. Liberty OSA Coach’s will develop a personalized training and follow-up plan to meet your needs.