Sleep Studies - Quick Question

[dblack]

Have you known anyone who's been tested for sleep apnea? What were the results?

Have you known anyone who's had a sleep study and NOT been reported to have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

I haven't.

 

[Unkotare]

Have you known anyone who's been tested for sleep apnea? What were the results?

Have you known anyone who's had a sleep study and NOT been reported to have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

I haven't.

You're probably not going to be tested unless you have a good notion that you have it.

 

[dblack]

You're probably not going to be tested unless you have a good notion that you have it.

Yeah. I get that. But I've known maybe 20 people who've been tested, dating back to the early nineties. And every single one is reported to have severe sleep apnea requiring CPAP and the whole mess. And, every single one gave up on the machines after a few weeks/months.

The whole thing just has an odor to it. Should I request this thread to be moved to the conspiracy section?

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Have you known anyone who's been tested for sleep apnea? What were the results?

Have you known anyone who's had a sleep study and NOT been reported to have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

I haven't.

Generally, an evaluation is ordered because a patient is symptomatic and/or fits the profile.
Thus, most tests turn out positive for sleep apnea.
Severe vs mild?
Disclosure..I have been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea--no CPAP prescribed.

What Is Mild Sleep Apnea?​

Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as:

• Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 5–14 events per hour of sleep

This means your breathing partially or completely stops 5–14 times per hour during sleep.

Factors to Consider for Treatment​

1. Symptoms
   • If you're experiencing daytime fatigue, poor concentration, morning headaches, or mood issues, treatment is typically recommended—even if AHI is low.
2. Health Risks
   • Untreated sleep apnea (even mild) may increase the risk of:
     • High blood pressure
     • Heart disease
     • Stroke
     • Type 2 diabetes
3. Lifestyle and Occupation
   • If you're a driver, pilot, or operate heavy machinery, even mild sleep apnea may be dangerous without treatment due to daytime drowsiness.

Common Treatments for Mild Sleep Apnea​

1. Lifestyle Changes (first line for mild cases):
   • Weight loss
   • Avoiding alcohol and sedatives
   • Sleeping on your side
   • Regular sleep schedule
2. Positional Therapy
   • Special pillows or wearables to keep you from sleeping on your back.
3. Oral Appliances
   • Custom mouthguards that move your jaw forward to keep your airway open.
4. CPAP or AutoPAP Machines
   • Usually reserved for more severe cases, but can be used in mild cases if symptoms persist.
5. Surgical Options
   • Considered only after other options fail and if anatomical issues are contributing (e.g., enlarged tonsils, deviated septum).

When You Might Not Need Formal Treatment​

• If you're asymptomatic, not at high risk, and your mild sleep apnea was found incidentally, doctors may recommend just monitoring and lifestyle changes.

 

[dblack]

Generally, an evaluation is ordered because a patient is symptomatic and/or fits the profile.
Thus, most tests turn out positive for sleep apnea.
Severe vs mild?
Disclosure..I have been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea--no CPAP prescribed.

What Is Mild Sleep Apnea?​

Mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is defined as:

• Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 5–14 events per hour of sleep

This means your breathing partially or completely stops 5–14 times per hour during sleep.

Factors to Consider for Treatment​

1. Symptoms
   • If you're experiencing daytime fatigue, poor concentration, morning headaches, or mood issues, treatment is typically recommended—even if AHI is low.
2. Health Risks
   • Untreated sleep apnea (even mild) may increase the risk of:
     • High blood pressure
     • Heart disease
     • Stroke
     • Type 2 diabetes
3. Lifestyle and Occupation
   • If you're a driver, pilot, or operate heavy machinery, even mild sleep apnea may be dangerous without treatment due to daytime drowsiness.

Common Treatments for Mild Sleep Apnea​

1. Lifestyle Changes(first line for mild cases):
   • Weight loss
   • Avoiding alcohol and sedatives
   • Sleeping on your side
   • Regular sleep schedule
2. Positional Therapy
   • Special pillows or wearables to keep you from sleeping on your back.
3. Oral Appliances
   • Custom mouthguards that move your jaw forward to keep your airway open.
4. CPAP or AutoPAP Machines
   • Usually reserved for more severe cases, but can be used in mild cases if symptoms persist.
5. Surgical Options
   • Considered only after other options fail and if anatomical issues are contributing (e.g., enlarged tonsils, deviated septum).

When You Might Not Need Formal Treatment​

• If you're asymptomatic, not at high risk, and your mild sleep apnea was found incidentally, doctors may recommend just monitoring and lifestyle changes.

Yeah. I can google. But the whole thing smacks of an insurance gravy train. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

 

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Yeah. I can google. But the whole thing smacks of an insurance gravy train. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

Both can be true.
Since almost all medicine is an insurance gravy-train by design--I'm sure that there are abuses with over-diagnosing apnea and ordering shit people don't need.
But, as you said, you can Google..as can most..so if ya get took..whose fault is it?

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Yeah. I get that. But I've known maybe 20 people who've been tested, dating back to the early nineties. And every single one is reported to have severe sleep apnea requiring CPAP and the whole mess. And, every single one gave up on the machines after a few weeks/months.

The whole thing just has an odor to it. Should I request this thread to be moved to the conspiracy section?

.

I had gained a lot of weight, many years ago, and the weight gain did cause "moderate to severe sleep apnea" with very obvious symptoms -- I'd wake up in the middle of the night, unable to get air into my lungs until I sat up. I used my CPAP for years and got complete relief. I was able to use it very faithfully. It was almost like a security blanket and felt too weird trying to sleep without it.

Meantime, I lost a lot of weight and stopped needing to use it.

Hope this is informative.


.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Yeah. I can google. But the whole thing smacks of an insurance gravy train. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

.

You have plenty of reason to be paranoid.


.

 

[dblack]

Both can be true.

LOL --- indeed.

Since almost all medicine is an insurance gravy-train by design.

True. I get the same vibe from colonoscopies. When the doctor prescribes something and you're getting aggressive sales calls two hours later, it trips my bullshit sensor.

 

[MarathonMike]

Yeah. I can google. But the whole thing smacks of an insurance gravy train. Maybe I'm just paranoid.

I suspected the same thing. What a terrible solution to sleep apnea. How in the world can anyone sleep with that nasty contraption strapped to your face?

 

[dblack]

I suspected the same thing. What a terrible solution to sleep apnea. How in the world can anyone sleep with that nasty contraption strapped to your face?

Right. And the tests themselves involve hooking up wires all over your body, and then testing how well you sleep!?!

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Right. And the tests themselves involve hooking up wires all over your body, and then testing how well you sleep!?!

.

I did have another sleep study some time and many pounds off later, and they did find that I needed the CPAP again, although I was symptom free.

I've not trusted the medical industrial complex since the emergence of the HMO's. That was about the time I decided that medical school was not for me.


.

 

[MarathonMike]

Right. And the tests themselves involve hooking up wires all over your body, and then testing how well you sleep!?!

Good point.

 

[OhPleaseJustQuit]

Right. And the tests themselves involve hooking up wires all over your body, and then testing how well you sleep!?!

.

I understood a few of those wires. They say that restless legs is a common symptom, so wires on the legs makes sense. I kind of got the EEG stuff. But all the others? Not so sure about.

What really caused me to question was how much less involved the second study was. Why did they need so much less information? And then the third study I had was done with just a couple of wires AT HOME.

Yeah, I'm not buying it.


.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Yeah. I get that. But I've known maybe 20 people who've been tested, dating back to the early nineties. And every single one is reported to have severe sleep apnea requiring CPAP and the whole mess. And, every single one gave up on the machines after a few weeks/months.

The whole thing just has an odor to it. Should I request this thread to be moved to the conspiracy section?

if you have it, it is nothing to just ignore....it can be dam serious....

 

[luiza]

Very high per cent have been /are smokers ( COPD) and / or fatties ( type two diabetes) .

Does the punishment mainly fit the unfit and greedy ?

 

[Admiral Rockwell Tory]

Have you known anyone who's been tested for sleep apnea? What were the results?

Have you known anyone who's had a sleep study and NOT been reported to have moderate to severe sleep apnea.

I haven't.

I had a sleep study about 30 years ago. I had just come off three days with no sleep while at sea. The technicians were amazed they had never seen anyone not move at all during the night. Needless to say, my results were negative for the test, but my doctor ruled it out because of the extreme circumstances and said I probably did have it.

 

[Woodznutz]

.

I had gained a lot of weight, many years ago, and the weight gain did cause "moderate to severe sleep apnea" with very obvious symptoms -- I'd wake up in the middle of the night, unable to get air into my lungs until I sat up. I used my CPAP for years and got complete relief. I was able to use it very faithfully. It was almost like a security blanket and felt too weird trying to sleep without it.

Meantime, I lost a lot of weight and stopped needing to use it.

Hope this is informative.


.

Informative beyond words, suggesting that we can improve the nation's health with lifestyle changes. Who knew?

 

[dblack]

Informative beyond words, suggesting that we can improve the nation's health with lifestyle changes. Who knew?

That's great. But why is that a political concern?

 

[Woodznutz]

That's great. But why is that a political concern?

?