Possible New Alternative to mask
Question:
Sleep Apnea Sufferers May Find Relief Without Bulky Mask PITTSBURGH, May 29 /PRNewswire/ — Victims of the common sleep ailment called sleep apnea may have a more comfortable alternative choice for treatment, according to researchers at the Center for Sleep Disorders at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. Sleep apnea affects as many as 5 percent of the population worldwide and is a condition in which a person is jolted awake many times during sleep as their body reacts to frequent, short periods of time when the person has stopped breathing. Those with sleep apnea usually suffer from profound sleepiness that may interfere with work and other activities. The most often prescribed treatment for sleep apnea now is a bulky mask that is secured to the face and head with tight Velcro straps. The mask is attached to a machine that produces continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Traditionally, air has been forced into the nose to splint open the patient’s throat while they sleep. However, up to 60 percent of the patients develop nasal congestion and skin irritation using the nasal mask. Now, for the first time in many years, there appears to be a promising alternative, according to Lewis Kline, M.D., director of the Center for Sleep Disorders at West Penn. Dr. Kline and researchers from Fisher & Paykel Healthcare of New Zealand are developing an oral interface device called the Vestibular-in-line Pressure System, which is known commercially as Oracle. In the first U.S. clinical trial, Dr. Kline treated 19 patients with the Oracle, which is a strapless, butterfly-shaped device that rests between the lips and teeth. The preliminary results showed the device to be a suitable alternative with similar usage rates as the nasal mask. Although some patients experienced discomfort as a result of airway drying and minor gum irritation, there were fewer complaints of air leaks, nasal congestion, skin irritation and initial claustrophobia with the Oracle than with the nasal mask. Dr. Kline and his colleague, Ritu Khanna, M.D., will present their findings at the 15th Annual meeting of Associated Professional Sleep Society June 5-10 in Chicago. "The findings are encouraging. From what we’ve seen, this has the potential to be the most promising oral interface to be developed in years," Dr. Kline said. MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT – Click Here http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X68125212 SOURCE Western Pennsylvania Hospital CO: Western Pennsylvania Hospital ST: Pennsylvania, Illinois IN: HEA SU: PDT TDS 05/29/2001 13:07 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -micst…@aol.com (Mic Stand) wrote in message <news:20010604003131.00523.00001692@ng-mr1.aol.com>… > Sleep Apnea Sufferers May Find Relief Without Bulky Mask > PITTSBURGH, May 29 /PRNewswire/ — Victims of the common sleep ailment called > sleep apnea may have a more comfortable alternative choice for treatment, > according to researchers at the Center for Sleep Disorders at The Western > Pennsylvania Hospital. > Sleep apnea affects as many as 5 percent of the population worldwide and is a > condition in which a person is jolted awake many times during sleep as their > body reacts to frequent, short periods of time when the person has stopped > breathing. Those with sleep apnea usually suffer from profound sleepiness that > may interfere with work and other activities. > The most often prescribed treatment for sleep apnea now is a bulky mask that is > secured to the face and head with tight Velcro straps. The mask is attached to > a machine that produces continuous positive air pressure (CPAP). Traditionally, > air has been forced into the nose to splint open the patient’s throat while > they sleep. However, up to 60 percent of the patients develop nasal congestion > and skin irritation using the nasal mask. > Now, for the first time in many years, there appears to be a promising > alternative, according to Lewis Kline, M.D., director of the Center for Sleep > Disorders at West Penn. Dr. Kline and researchers from Fisher & Paykel > Healthcare of New Zealand are developing an oral interface device called the > Vestibular-in-line Pressure System, which is known commercially as Oracle. > In the first U.S. clinical trial, Dr. Kline treated 19 patients with the > Oracle, which is a strapless, butterfly-shaped device that rests between the > lips and teeth. The preliminary results showed the device to be a suitable > alternative with similar usage rates as the nasal mask. Although some patients > experienced discomfort as a result of airway drying and minor gum irritation, > there were fewer complaints of air leaks, nasal congestion, skin irritation and > initial claustrophobia with the Oracle than with the nasal mask. > Dr. Kline and his colleague, Ritu Khanna, M.D., will present their findings at > the 15th Annual meeting of Associated Professional Sleep Society June 5-10 in > Chicago. > "The findings are encouraging. From what we’ve seen, this has the potential to > be the most promising oral interface to be developed in years," Dr. Kline said. > MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT – Click Here > http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X68125212 > SOURCE Western Pennsylvania Hospital > CO: Western Pennsylvania Hospital > ST: Pennsylvania, Illinois > IN: HEA > SU: PDT TDS > 05/29/2001 13:07 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Sounds very similar to OPAP which is a mold made of your teeth with a tube coming out of it to connect the cpap too. It is very comfortable but I did not tolerate the air.
