Obstructive sleep apnea is a syndrome that causes people to stop breathing momentarily while sleeping. Those with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome generally have narrow throats. As muscles relax during regular sleep, the throat becomes even narrower, causing loud snoring. In extreme cases, the throat can even become completely blocked, preventing air from entering the lungs.

The time between breaths is called an apnea, and one can last for up to 10 seconds. This often results in waking the person up as they try to catch their breath. However, they usually don’t remember waking up, and sleep apnea can go untreated for some time, until a relative or partner discovers the apneas. Sleep apnea can cause serious problems, like hypertension, arrhythmia, heart disease and extreme drowsiness.

The good news? Sleep apnea is a fully treatable disease, by using CPAP or BiPAP therapy and in some cases surgery. A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure device, generates pressurized air that is non-invasively directed through the nasal passages to the lungs for proper ventilation during sleep therapy. A BiPAP, bi-level positive airway pressure device, may be used for patients who are having difficulty with continuous pressure. The bi-level technology aids in inhalation and exhalation, making breathing more comfortable for the sleeping patient. Physicians may prescribe BiPAP for severe airway obstruction and for non-compliant CPAP users.

At Sleep Management, we’re committed to providing quality patient care and durable medical equipment to patients suffering from sleep apnea. We offer home respiratory assessments for patients through private overnight monitoring services. This process begins with a prescription from a doctor requesting an overnight oximetry evaluation. Once the "sleep data" is retrieved from the monitor, a physician will determine if the patient will be a candidate for a sleep study. If the patient is required to undergo sleep therapy, then Sleep Management is available to provide the equipment for in-home use.

For compliance of state and federal regulatory agencies, Sleep Management utilizes third-party independent testing facilities for patient monitoring services. Sleep Management accepts Medicare benefits and is also a provider of Louisiana Medicaid, as well as most private insurance payers.

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