Sleep apnea, insomnia, COPD, allergy, lungs, sleep diseases - treatment, diagnostics, CPAP and BPAP devices

Sleep apnea is the term for a group of sleep disorders characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing, known as apneas, during sleep.

Breathing interruptions during sleep can be central (central sleep apnea, CSA), where during sleep the brain often fails to send a "signal" to breathe, or obstructive (obstructive sleep apnea, OSA), where breathing stops during sleep due to weakness of the throat and tongue muscles, resulting in airway obstruction. There are also mixed forms of breathing interruptions, with elements of both CSA and OSA.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is the most common disorder in the spectrum of sleep-related breathing disorders, and it represents a chronically progressive disease characterized by repeated interruptions in ventilation during sleep due to complete or partial collapse of the throat. This breathing interruption is followed by a drop in blood oxygen levels and/or awakening.

If OSA is not diagnosed in time, or if adequate therapy is not applied, the disease progresses and is accompanied by significant health disturbances.

OSA is often present in people with cardiovascular diseases (arterial hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease). OSA worsens chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma. There is a clear connection between the presence of OSA and insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. OSA is also often found in people suffering from depression, gastroesophageal reflux, and malignant diseases.

In addition to excessive daytime sleepiness, patients also experience psychological function disorders and problems in performing daily activities. There is a decline in work capacity, and on the other hand, there is an increased risk of work-related injuries and absenteeism. Drivers with OSA are more likely to be involved in and injured in traffic accidents.

The latest data comes from a 2019 study, which indicates that almost one billion people aged 30-70 worldwide currently suffer from some form of obstructive sleep apnea, of which over 400 million people (more than 45%) suffer from moderate to severe OSA that requires serious treatment.

In Serbia, the problem of OSA is dealt with by a small number of doctors of various specialties, from pulmonologists, cardiologists, ENT specialists, neurologists to occupational medicine specialists and psychiatrists. In most cases, these doctors are not easy to reach, since they are often engaged in examinations and treatment not only of patients with OSA, but also of other patients in their field.

All of the above significantly prolongs the time required for diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from OSA. It is believed that over 80% of patients requiring emergency treatment are still undiagnosed.

At Pulmo Sleep Center Elixir, it is possible to perform a complete diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea, from an examination by a specialist doctor with many years of experience to an all-night polysomnography, which is the gold standard in the diagnosis of this disease.

In addition, if it is determined that you suffer from OSA, a therapy team is available to you and can immediately explain the types of therapy.

The Elixir Center has modern devices for CPAP/APAP sleep apnea therapy, which is the number 1 method of choice in the treatment of this disease.

These devices can be purchased or rented for short or long periods of time, and come with an adequate nose/nose and mouth mask and warranty.

The therapy team will make all the necessary adjustments to the device, help you choose the right mask, and monitor your progress, regardless of whether you purchased the device or mask at Elixir or independently.

We also offer phone and online consultations with a doctor in case of any doubts or if you are unable to physically come to the hospital.

If necessary, a multidisciplinary team of doctors and psychologists is at your disposal to help you determine and treat complications and accompanying diseases of sleep apnea.

Could you have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?

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