You just received the results of your sleep apnea test - the diagnosis? Obstructive sleep apnea. You're committed to taking the next steps to feel better and you know that you've got to get a CPAP machine, but what to do about the mask? You've seen something small that nestles just under the nose and seems appealing. This style of CPAP mask is called "nasal pillows" and it is extremely popular. But if you don't know the facts about whether this is the right option...

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A recent news report out of the Bay Area announced that a clinical trial of the Magnetic Apnea Prevention (MAGNAP) device for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment has begun at University of California San Francisco Medical Center. The initial response to this report indicates that there is an incredible amount of interest from the sleep apnea community in this potential alternative to CPAP for sleep apnea. But, if eventually approved by the FDA for sleep apnea treatment, would this be a good option for you? In this article, I'll explore the forces, both attractive and repulsive, that...

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Of all the numbers on your sleep apnea test report, the AHI is the most important. On some sleep study reports, you will see the terms "RDI" or "REI" in place of AHI. But what does AHI mean and what's the difference between AHI, RDI, and REI?

Of the three, AHI as it is the most commonly used term and is an acronym for "apnea-hypopnea index." To understand the term, we first need to define what apneas and hypopneas are.

Apnea

Apneas are a type of...

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So, you got the results of your sleep study and they say you have pretty bad sleep apnea. Now what? They want you to use a Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) device with a mask when you sleep, but you say, “No way!” You’ve probably been going along pretty well all these years without sleeping with a mask on your face, so why start now? In this blog, I propose 5 steps to have a successful relationship with your PAP.

Let's begin with a little background. Apnea comes from the Greek word apnos, meaning "without breathing." Sleep apnea is...

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At Singular Sleep, many of our patients have high-deductible health plans with or without health care spending accounts (HSA) or flexible spending accounts (FSA). These patients often find that they can save a lot of money and time by using us to get a sleep apnea test, consult with our sleep doctor, and purchase CPAP and BPAP products. But folks often want to submit invoices to their insurance companies for reimbursement or to count towards their deductibles. Here is some helpful information that can make it easier for you to file claims with your health care...

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You've seen the ads. You've heard the loud, repetitive pitches from "Zyppah Jimmy." But is the Zyppah  the snoring solution that you're been searching for or just another gimmick? The money-back guarantee seems like a no-lose proposition, but are there any hidden downsides to trying the Zyppah? Here is Dr. Krainin's in-depth analysis and review of this popular snoring aid.

What is Zyppah and what sets it apart from other snoring appliances on the market?

The Zyppah (pronounced "ZEE -pa") Stop Snoring Hybrid Oral Appliance entered the already-crowded snoring...

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Finding Your Cave with Sleep Master

Sleep doctors such as myself typically spend quite a bit of time educating our patients about proper sleep hygiene, which refers to the optimal behaviors that promote better sleep.  Since light exposure is highly disruptive to sleep, one of the major commandments of sleep hygiene has always been that bedrooms should achieve "cave-like" darkness. Humans have exquisitely sensitive retinal ganglion cells in our eyes that detect even the faintest amount of light and send feedback to our brains to wake up....

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"I use my CPAP machine every night, so I don't have to worry about sleep apnea anymore, right?"

WRONG

This is a common and widely held misconception. Sleep apnea treatment is one of those cases in life when "you don't know what you don't know." Since you're asleep, you're completely unable to assess how well the apnea is being treated. Don't fool yourself: even though you use CPAP all night and feel good during the day, your body still may be suffering at night. Treating sleep apnea is definitely not a "one size fits...

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Get the most up to date information about the sleep apnea and blood pressure connection from a sleep doctor's perspective.

Sleep Apnea and Blood Pressure: the Whole Story

Are sleep apnea and blood pressure related? Can obstructive sleep apnea cause hypertension? Does blood pressure improve with the use of a CPAP machine?  Read on to find the answers to these questions and more.

In order to explain the high blood pressure and sleep apnea connection, let's first define a few key concepts.

What Is Hypertension?

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Is Mild Sleep Apnea Being Over-treated, or Perhaps not Treated Aggressively Enough?

In this article, I will unpack the scientific evidence informing both sides of the debate about how mild sleep apnea should be managed. To start, let's clarify some key concepts.

What Is Mild Sleep Apnea?

In adult patients (≥ 18 years of age), mild sleep apnea is defined as a sleep apnea test showing an apnea hypopnea index (AHI)  between 5 and 15. AHI is synonymous with RDI (respiratory disturbance index) or REI (respiratory event index - more commonly...

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