Does your partner complain about your loud snoring? Have you woken up during the night because you’ve suddenly stopped breathing? Do you often get up in the morning feeling like you didn’t have a restful sleep the night before? It’s not just you – you might just be one of the millions of people across the globe who suffers from a condition called sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when the throat muscles relax and block the flow of air to the lungs. This is what causes you to snore, snort, gasp, or make other noises as you struggle to breathe properly in your sleep. Another type is central sleep apnea (CSA), where the brain doesn’t send signals to the muscles that control breathing. It’s also possible to have a combination of both types of sleep apnea.
Some of us might write off snoring as an annoying quirk that disrupts our sleep (and our partners’!). However, sleep apnea can put us at risk for more serious health concerns in the long-term. Studies show that sleep apnea can be linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks. But the good news is, you don’t have to continue losing sleep over this condition – there’s an effective treatment available that can help you sleep soundly again.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
A common choice of therapy for sleep apnea is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This device works by keeping your airways open, delivering continuous air at a higher pressure through your nose, mouth, and trachea to help you breathe while you sleep – hence the term “positive airway pressure.”
The CPAP machine includes a mask that fits over your mouth and nose, with straps to help position and secure the mask on your face. Attached to the mask is a long tube connected to the machine’s motor. The machine filters and pressurizes the air from the room before sending it through the tube, into your mask, and through your airways. A device that allows you to breathe more easily in your sleep and prevents snoring – this is what (uninterrupted) dreams are made of!
Getting used to wearing the CPAP machine mask when you sleep can be a bit of a learning curve, however the benefits are well worth it. Regular CPAP machine users have improved sleep quality, less sleepiness during the daytime, and long-term health benefits including improved blood pressure and cognitive function, as well as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It turns out, sleep quality can directly impact your overall health – who knew?
Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
There are also bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines available to treat sleep apnea. The difference is CPAP machines give you the same pressure whether you are breathing in or out, while BiPAP machines adjust the air pressure depending on whether you are inhaling or exhaling. Aside from sleep apnea, you might be recommended a BiPAP machine to treat conditions such as heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or hypercapnic respiratory failure.
Auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP)
Auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP) machines are a more advanced version of CPAP machines with sensors that detect respiratory events, automatically adjusting the positive airway pressure according to the needs of the sleeper. They lower air pressure back to the minimum level once sleep is normalized, which causes less disturbance. These devices are also smaller and quieter than CPAP machines.
Sleep soundly with ARTA Benefits
If you suspect that you or a loved one suffers from sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to reach out to your physician. Getting treated for this condition can change the quality of your sleep – and your life – for the better!
Although CPAP, BiPAP, and APAP machines are proven to be successful in treating sleep apnea, these devices often come with a hefty price tag. Depending on your ARTA Benefit plan, you are eligible for up to $2,000 of coverage on your device every five years.
To learn more about your level of coverage, you can review the benefit booklet. If you have any further questions, ARTA’s Member Services Team is always happy to help and can be reached at 1-855-444-ARTA (2782).