In the aftermath of a recall by a major CPAP manufacturer, Phillips Respironics, there is national CPAP shortage. As a result, oral appliance therapy is being considered as a treatment option more than ever before. The most common therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in the United States is positive airway pressure, either a continuous pressure (CPAP) or one that auto adjusts (autoPAP). An alternative option is a mandibular advancement devices (oral appliance) which has been gaining popularity over the last 10 years. Traditionally, CPAP has been the first choice of physicians for treatment of patients with OSA because of its effectiveness …
Tag: Sleep Apnea
Coronavirus FAQs: CPAP Recommendations, Cautions, and Alternatives
Our lives have changed in many ways since March when the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic came to the United States. Now we are bombarded with instructions and recommendations to keep us safe and minimize the health impact to our country. I trust we are all doing our part with social distancing, washing our hands to reduce transmission, and even using masks in many circumstances. Many of us need to take additional precautions for ourselves and those around us, including people with sleep apnea using a CPAP. If you are using CPAP and wondering what the guidelines are during the Covid-19 outbreak, …