SomnoFile

Trazodone is the most commonly prescribed medication for sleep despite not having an FDA indication for sleep. Trazodone is generic and very inexpensive so there is little incentive for pharmaceutical companies to do the drug trials necessary to get trazodone approved for sleep. Why is trazodone the most popular prescription sleep medication among doctors? It is a non-controlled substance, meaning that there is no risk for addiction, tolerance, or withdrawal, its side effect profile is benign, and it has minimal (and perhaps some positive) impact on sleep architecture. 

Molecular Structure of Trazodone

Of...

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Currently, the only way to definitively know if you have sleep apnea is to have a formal sleep study. These can now either be done the traditional way, a nighttime study in the sleep lab, or via a home sleep apnea test. Other tests like overnight pulse oximetry (oxygen level monitoring studies) or ones that smartphones offer can only be used for screening purposes. Be careful though because some home sleep studies are simply used for screening purposes by providers like dentists. The question to ask is, "Will a board-certified sleep doctor interpret the study and...

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A large retrospective analysis conducted by The Mayo Clinic confirmed that people with sleep apnea are at a higher risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The study that the following sleep study parameters were linked with an increased risk of SCD:

• AHI >20
• Minimum oxygen saturation <78%
• mean (average) nocturnal oxygen level <93%

SCD, in layman's' terms, is when the heart just stops beating during sleep. 

AHI stands for "apnea-hypopnea" index and refers to how many abnormal breathing events occurred per hour. 

The ultimate cause of this increased risk of sudden...

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David Groll is the Founder and CEO of Circadiance. He is a veteran of the medical device industry, having previously founded Vincent Medical and served as an executive for Philips Respironics where he was involved in CPAP mask development.  

SleepWeaver masks are so unique in the CPAP marketplace, there is really nothing else out there like them. Where did the idea for cloth CPAP masks come from?

I have been involved with engineering CPAP masks since the beginning of CPAP masks. The traditional mask design is comprised of a rigid plastic...

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Are you a member of one of the following healthshare ministries?

• Christian Healthshare Ministries
• Altrua
• Liberty 
• Samaritan 
• Aliera
• Christian Care Ministry/Medi-Share
• Solidarity Healthshare

Christian healthshare ministries emerged as a faith-based counterpart to Obamacare's government-mandated healthcare rules. These organizations allow people of faith to pool their resources and care for each other in a compassionate way that is in line with their religious beliefs. We frequently provide care for the sleep apnea needs of healthshare ministry members. This article is intended to serve as a guide for...

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