Those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) already have a hard enough time breathing. When you also have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), another common pulmonary disease, you might find yourself dealing with two times the number of breathing problems. When patients suffer from these two diseases simultaneously, their condition is classified as Overlap Syndrome. About 15% of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have overlap syndrome which can lead to fatigue, pulmonary hypertension, and hypercapnia. We’ve put together everything you need to know about the connection between COPD and OSA to ensure you receive the necessary treatment. What Is...

If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you might be wondering how often you need to be tested. While most doctors will recommend that patients have the pressure settings of their CPAP machine adjusted annually, needing to schedule additional sleep apnea testing is dependent on the patient’s specific situation. Sleep apnea isn’t something that typically needs testing on a regular schedule. However, retesting for sleep apnea might be recommended by your physician if they believe your treatment needs to be adjusted, you’re continuing to experience symptoms, or you’re a commercial truck driver. Here are a few reasons it might be...

It’s estimated that 3-7% of men and 2-5% of women suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, a sleep disorder that causes the individual to involuntarily stop breathing periodically while they sleep. It varies from person to person, while one individual might only stop breathing a few times throughout the night while another might stop breathing more frequently. With the current environment, recent studies looked to determine if there was a link between COVID-19 and sleep apnea. Let’s find out the verdict. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and COVID-19 Sleep Study Findings According to Sleep Medicine Reviews, a recent study found a link between...

If you suffer from a form of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend that you use a breathing machine at night to help provide the airflow you need — reducing your breathing cessations and allowing for a deeper night’s sleep. You might be skeptical about using a breathing machine, but with a simple mask that is worn throughout the night, you’ll receive pressure that makes it easier for you to breathe. This treatment method is known as positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. When undergoing PAP therapy, your doctor will help you determine which type of breathing machine is the right...

Before commercial truck drivers receive the all-clear to hit the road, they need to undergo a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exam to ensure the driver is medically able to operate a commercial vehicle. This exam must be completed once every two years to ensure all drivers operating commercial vehicles weighing more than 10,000 lbs are medically certified. While a sleep study isn’t always included in the DOT approval process, medical examiners can enforce one if it is suspected that the driver has a sleeping disorder. Let’s take a look at what commercial truck drivers are evaluated on during the...