Colorado online pulmonary therapy device retailers offers consumer checklist to avoid Internet fraud

American Medical Service and Repair and its Oxygen Concentrator Store developed the Top Ten Ways to Avoid Internet Sales Fraud after years of experience helping customers who were cheated by unscrupulous web merchants

CENTENNIAL, CO – American Medical Service and Repair and its Oxygen Concentrator Store, one of the country’s oldest and most respected retailers of pulmonary therapy devices and the world’s largest online merchant of oxygen concentrators, has long faced competition from some disreputable operations and has created a consumer checklist of the Top 10 Ways to Avoid Internet Sales Fraud, applicable for any product category.

“We are an online retailer and, as individuals, we also shop the Internet for a variety of goods and services,” says Jennifer Hopkins, AMSR CEO and Partner. “The Internet is an amazing place to shop for just about anything, but it is unfortunately also a convenience that the unscrupulous use to rip-off trusting consumers. We developed our checklist to prevent online fraud and to help Internet shoppers get what they paid for from reputable companies who stand behind their products and services. This is particularly important for consumers buying expensive products.”

The Top 10 Ways to Avoid Internet Sales Fraud:

#1 – Buy only from a business accredited by a reputable source, such as the Better Business Bureau. If a business says it is accredited, a consumer can visit the website of the accreditation agency and confirm its standing. For the BBB visit www.bbb.org/us/consumers/, click on “Check Out a Business or a Charity,” and then type in the URL (the website address) of the online retailer in question.

#2 – Validate that the business is an authorized seller by the manufacturer of the product. Most manufacturers maintain a list of authorized retailers and/or dealers on their own websites; it’s the only way to ensure that the product’s warranty will be valid.

#3 – Validate the businesses phone number. Some websites are just marketing portals created to make a business look or sound legitimate. Look for online vendors with a telephone number listed in their “Contact” information, and validate that the salesperson on the line is in the same state as the business contacted.

#4 – Validate that there is a physical address. Check the address on Google Maps. Many disreputable web-based companies operate either out of their homes or vacant lots. Also Google the address to see if the business is listed as being there and to see if a different business comes up.

#5 – Verify what product and model number you are purchasing in the checkout process. Keep a written record of exactly what is being purchased to confirm that you receive the proper merchandise. As models change, some suppliers say they are shipping the latest model when they are, in fact shipping older models.

#6 – Verify that the exact warranty start date is the date of your invoice. Some manufacturers start the warranty on the date the product was shipped to the retailer. If the product sat on the retailer’s shelf for a year, you might think you are getting a 3-year warranty when in fact there is only 2 years left on the guarantee. Also ask who is providing the warranty. A warranty from a retailer is only good if the retailer stays in business; a manufacturer’s warranty is typically more reliable.

#7 – Verify that you are receiving the product that was promised. When you buy a car, particularly a new one, you can be reasonably sure that the mileage on the odometer is accurate. Other products, such as oxygen concentrators, have built-in electronics that verify usage; more than 20 hours would indicate that the unit was rented before being sold. Also, check the packaging for signs of repacking which might indicate prior use.

#8 – Watch out for bait-and-switch. Some disreputable online retailers may “optimize” their website with brand names that they don’t actually carry or for which they are not authorized to sell, and then attempt to sell you a different brand (they might claim the original brand is out of stock). Go to an authorized reseller.

#9 – Call the company’s service department to see if they really answer or to see how long it takes for them to respond to either a phone or email query. Reputable merchants will either be on call or respond in a reasonable manner (they might give business hours; check the time zone before expecting a prompt answer or return call).

#10 – Craigslist rarely has the best deal. Listings on Craigslist with a toll-free number (not a private party) may be scam artists, like the proverbial guy with a raincoat filled with “brand-name” watches. You can almost always get the same product, with a warranty, from a reputable dealer.

“We developed this consumer checklist because we have customers who have been cheated by online retailers, particularly some of our older clients who are less familiar with the Internet,” says AMSR’s Hopkins. “We want to tell people not to be afraid of buying from an online company; the Internet offers an astounding array of products and services, often at prices far less than can be found at local stores. Our Top 10 Ways to Avoid Internet Sales Fraud is an admonition to be an informed shopper.”

AMSR and its Oxygen Concentrator Store is a full service respiratory company with a showroom, repair center, and education facility helping oxygen therapy patients understand the workings of both portable and home oxygen concentrators. For complete information on new and refurbished oxygen concentrators, flexible financing options, rental programs, and repair services.

The group of 10 completed a 5-mile hike near Idaho Springs, Colorado. Supplemental oxygen in tow, they left the trailhead at Summit Lake (elevation 12,840 feet) at 9 a.m. and summited scenic Mount Evans (elevation 14,264 feet) at 1:30 p.m.

AMSR customer service manager John More said it was a challenge for him to keep up with customers Lyn Cole and Mike McBride, whose normal oxygen use rates are 3 to 4 liters per minute. On the high-altitude hike, they needed about 15 liters per minute, but as long as their supplemental oxygen needs were being met, they were able to hike safely and have fun.

Of course, oxygen users should seek physician clearance before attempting such a hike, as Lyn and Mike did.

“It just goes to show what oxygen users can do if they plan carefully and have access to the extra oxygen they might need,” said John.

World’s leading oxygen concentrator sales and service company offers flexible financing options

American Medical Sales and Repair and its Oxygen Concentrator Store features 90-days-same-as-cash and lease-to-own plans for both home and portable oxygen concentrators so patients can breathe easy

CENTENNIAL, CO – Respiratory patients relying on oxygen concentrators to maintain active lifestyles now have financing options available from American Medical Sales and Repair (AMSR) and its Oxygen Concentrator Store that will let them breathe easy on their medical expenses.

AMSR, working with a financing partner, is offering 90-days-same-as-cash and 24 or 36 month lease-to-own financing packages for both its home and portable oxygen concentrators that give patients an affordable way to get the relief they require.

“Our job is to help patients get the oxygen they need in the most cost-effective way possible,” says Jennifer Hopkins, AMSR CEO and Partner. “We do this through offering both new and used oxygen concentrators – for home use or portable concentrators – at the best prices in the country, and with the best possible terms for those who prefer financing options. We have years of experience in this industry, we know our customers’ needs, and flexible financing was one of the key services some customers requested.”

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including such conditions as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and alpha 1-antitrypsin disease, and require oxygen on a regular basis to combat symptoms and maintain an active lifestyle. The oxygen is delivered through an oxygen concentrator, and AMSR sells both home and portable units from the leading brands in the business, including Invacare, Respironics, Devilbiss, Oxlife, Inogen, and Sequal. AMSR also has oxygen concentrator rental programs that allow patients to try out a unit before purchasing it to ensure that it meets their medical needs, and also for short-term rentals of airline-approved units for patients planning to travel.

With more than 20 years of experience, AMSR and its Oxygen Concentrator Store are one of the oldest and most experienced oxygen concentrator retailers in America, and is the largest online merchant of such devices in the world. The company recently became a Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder Accredited Business, and holds a BBB A+ rating. Based in suburban Denver’s Centennial, Colo., AMSR has a retail store, service and repair center, and offers its products and services worldwide through its website at http://www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com. What separates the Oxygen Concentrator Store from many competitors is that it is one of the few oxygen concentrator organizations that also services what it sells, so patients have the confidence that it not only stands behind its products, but can handle repairs swiftly and provide another unit during the repair process so there is minimal downtime.

“We don’t have any sales people,” says Hopkins. “Just highly trained Customer Care Agents, respiratory therapists and technicians who can answer any questions about our products and services and make the right decision without delay. We are here to make sure an oxygen therapy patient ends up with the best oxygen concentrator for his or her specific needs.”

AMSR portable oxygen concentrator rental program get pulmonary patients traveling

American Medical Sales and Repair and its Oxygen Concentrator Store brings both continuous flow and pulse portable oxygen concentrators to a flexible rental program that delivers therapeutic mobility and opens travel to COPD patients

CENTENNIAL, CO – Pulmonary therapy patients who use oxygen concentrators to maintain an active lifestyle face difficulties in planning travel because home respiratory units are not portable and patients can’t be off of oxygen for extended periods of time. American Medical Sales and Repair and its Oxygen Concentrator Store, the country’s largest online purveyor of such equipment, recently revised its portable oxygen concentrator rental program to bring these patients the flexibility they need for therapeutic mobility and travel.

“We have expanded our rental fleet of portable oxygen concentrators from three popular brand name units to four and added the two newest and lightest units. The fleet now gives patients four options for pulse concentrators and two options for continuous flow concentrators,” says Jennifer Hopkins, AMSR CEO and Partner. “We have also added daily rentals (7-day minimum) to our formerly weekly-only rental programs so patients have the flexibility of paying for just the mobility they require.”

An estimated 10 million Americans suffer from some form of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, including such conditions as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and alpha 1-antitrypsin disease, and require oxygen on a regular basis to combat symptoms and maintain an active lifestyle. The Oxygen Concentrator Store sells and services new and refurbished home-based units and portable concentrators, and has created a rental program to accommodate patients who wish to try out a unit before making a purchasing decision, and also for those who regularly use a home concentrator and need a short-term rental of a portable unit for travel.

The Concentrator Store, with a physical store and service facility in suburban Denver and available nationwide online at www.oxygenconcentratorstore.com, has six popular brand-name portable oxygen concentrators in its rental program: SeQual Eclipse and DeVilbiss iGO, both of which are continuous flow units; and Inogen One , Inogen One G2, Invacare XPO2 and Respironics Evergo, which are all pulse units. Rentals may now be arranged on a daily basis, with a 7-day minimum rental period, and customers may apply the full value of their rental to the purchase of a new portable concentrator. In addition, all of the oxygen concentrators in the rental program are approved for airline travel.

With more than 20 years of experience, AMSR and its Oxygen Concentrator Store are one of the oldest and most experienced oxygen concentrator retailers in America, and is the largest online merchant of such devices in the world. The company recently became a Better Business Bureau of Denver/Boulder Accredited Business, and holds a BBB A+ rating.

The Oxygen Concentrator Store is a full service respiratory company with a showroom, repair center, and education facility helping oxygen therapy patients understand the workings of both portable and home oxygen concentrators. For complete information on new and refurbished oxygen concentrators, flexible financing options, rental programs, and repair services.

American Medical’s rental program provides customers with the mobility to travel anywhere, anytime. Our extensive fleet of portable oxygen concentrators includes both pulse and continuous flow machines.

Choose from any of our products, Respironics Evergo, Inogen One G2, SeQual Eclipse III, DeVilbiss IGO.

Renting a concentrator is as easy as making a phone call. Call one of our friendly customer care agents and describe your travel plans and concentrator requirements. We will help you select the unit and batteries that will fulfill all of your needs.

We will ship your concentrator to arrive 24 hours before your travel begins. Unpack your unit and call us with any questions. Our customer care agents are happy to discuss any set-up questions.

Enjoy your travels; we have a full time customer service department to support you.

When you return, simply repack your unit using the prepaid return shipping label and drop it off at any UPS drop off location.

We are here to help. Our goal is to make your life a little easier by providing you with remarkable customer service. Please call anytime, we would love to hear from you.

Our weekly packages start at just $245. Call one of our customer care agents for more information.

Most people with COPD know what triggers are going to make their COPD symptoms worsen; weather and air pollution are the two biggest culprits. With the winter months upon us and the temperatures dropping, knowing how to prevent cold weather discomfort might mean the difference between staying in and going outside.

When the weather turns cold and we go outside, our airways respond by narrowing and then restricting the air or oxygen flow into the lungs. This, of course, makes it more difficult to breathe.

Is there anything that we can do to prevent this from happening?

First and foremost, check with your doctor, but here are a few handy tips for fighting the cold:

1) Wear a mask, scarf or turtleneck over your mouth and nose
2) Breathe in through your nose as this allows your body to naturally warm and add moisture to the air
3) If you use a bronchodilator (inhaler), ask your doctor about administering a dose about 3o minutes before you go outside
4) If you use oxygen, hide your oxygen tubing (nasal cannula) inside your clothing. The cold temperatures can make your tubing cold and brittle!! Plus, it will help to keep your O2 warm!

So, don’t let the cold weather keep you away from family and friends this Holiday Season! Bundle up and don’t forget the oxygen! And if you need help with a rental unit to take that winter vacation, please give us a call at AMSR…remember, if you breathe easier, we breathe easier…

www.mayoclinic.com
www.copdnewsoftheday.com

Travel with Confidence with a Portable Oxygen Concentrator!

If you used an oxygen concentrator 10 years ago, you know how big and heavy they used to be. Thank goodness times have changed. Today’s portable models are so small and light that now you can travel anywhere!

Airplane travel

The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, has ruled that all passengers who require oxygen must be allowed to bring FAA-approved portable oxygen concentrators on all U.S. aircraft with more than 19 seats. Foreign airlines must also allow portable oxygen concentrators on all flights to and from U.S soil.

Rest assured that all the oxygen concentrators we sell and rent are FAA-approved.

Train travel

Amtrak also allows medically necessary oxygen equipment onboard. You just need to give them 12 hours’ advance notice and assure them you have the needed equipment, including adequate battery back-up. Call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

We recommend you reserve a Superliner Accessible Bedroom for your Amtrak trip. These are lower-level rooms with space for a wheelchair and two adults. Even if you don’t use a wheelchair, you’ll appreciate having the extra space for your oxygen equipment.

Car travel

Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned road trip? Most of today’s portable concentrators come with a DC power supply that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter outlet. This makes it easy to power and recharge your concentrator no matter how long your drive.

If you’re not sure, call and ask us if your portable concentrator has a DC power supply.

Fall is a gorgeous time of year to travel, so we hope you’ll get out there and enjoy it. Bon voyage!

Passengers are allowed to carry on and use AirSep Corporation’s LifeStyle and FreeStyle; Inogen’s Inogen One; SeQual Technologies’ Eclipse; Philips Respironics Inc.’s EverGo; Delphi Medical Systems’ RS-00400; and Invacare Corporation’s XPO2.

For safety reason, it is strongly recommended that patients that use Portable Oxygen Concentrators on airplane flights carry enough extra batteries that will last twice the duration of the flight to ensure the battery power will not run out during flight. Also make sure your Concentrator is in good working condition before the flight; if it is not, there are many companies that offer Concentrator Rentals to patients. Before your flight, you must obtain a prescription from your physician and submit to the airline that you are flying with.

Some of the popular current airlines that allow Portable Oxygen Concentrators on board are American Airlines, America West, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, SouthWest Airlines and US Airlines. Not all airlines allow Concentrators on flights, please check with your airline to make sure that POCs are allowed on the aircraft.

This will also help out patients who only need an concentrator once in awhile and choose to rent instead of buying a concentrator. Renting a concentrator can become costly if the patient is planning a long trip and multiple batteries are needed. Most companies charge per battery and these costs can start adding up fast. With the Inogen G2 and its battery life of 8 hours, less batteries will be needed for your trip.

In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing is interrupted by a physical block to airflow, despite the effort to breathe. The most noticeable sign of obstructive sleep apnea is snoring. However, not everyone who has OSA snores.

According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is:

“a disorder, first described in 1965, characterized by recurrent interruptions of breathing during sleep due to temporary obstruction of the airway by lax, excessively bulky, or malformed pharyngeal tissues (soft palate, uvula, and sometimes tonsils), with resultant hypoxemia and chronic lethargy. Sleep in the supine position predisposes apnic episodes.”

People with OSA may experience repeated episodes of apnea during the night. The lack of oxygen causes a person to come out of deep sleep into a lighter stage of sleep in order to restore their normal breathing. Once they fall back into deep sleep further episodes of apnea can occur.

The repeated interruptions to sleep that are caused by OSA can lead to the person feeling very tired during the day. A person with OSA will usually have no memory of any episodes of breathlessness.

OSA is a relatively common condition that affects men more than women. The condition is most common in people aged 40 or over, although it can affect people of all ages, including children.

It is also especially common in people who are overweight.

OSA is a serious condition

A person suffering from the condition can experience a lack of proper sleep. As a result, their risk of being involved in a life-threatening accident, such as a car crash, is increased. The lack of sleep causes impairment in judgment and reaction time.

Also, there is some evidence suggesting that people with OSA are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension), which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Obstructive sleep apnea treatment may involve using a device to keep the airway open or undergoing a procedure to remove tissue from the nose, mouth or throat.
What are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea?
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign. Signs and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea include:
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by shortness of breath
Awakening with a dry mouth or sore throat
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Forgetfulness
Frequent heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease
Frequent urination at night
Gasping, snorting
Heavy night sweats
Loud snoring (with periods of silence followed by gasps)
Mood changes such as irritability, anxiety and depression
Morning headache
Noisy breathing
Observed episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Trouble concentrating
Unexplained daytime sleepiness
Consult a medical professional if you experience, or if your partner observes the following:
Snoring loud enough to disturb your sleep or that of others
Shortness of breath that awakens you from sleep
Intermittent pauses in your breathing during sleep
Excessive daytime drowsiness, which may cause you to fall asleep while you’re working, watching television or even driving a vehicle
People with OSA may have no memory of their sleep being interrupted. Over time, the repeated interruptions to sleep will lead to the symptoms of sleep deprivation. These include:
depression
feeling excessively sleepy during the day
headaches; particularly in the morning
irritability and short temper
lack of interest in sex
poor memory and concentration
in men, impotence
Some people with OSA may also find that they wake up frequently during the night in order to urinate.

Many people do not consider snoring as a sign of something potentially serious. In addition, not everyone who has sleep apnea snores. Typically, snoring is loudest when sleeping on the back. It quiets when turning on the side.

Seek medical advice about any sleep problem that leads to chronic fatigue, sleepiness and irritability.
What causes obstructive sleep apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat relax too much to allow normal breathing. These muscles support the tongue, tonsils and soft palate (a muscle at the back of the throat used in speech). Once the muscles relax, the airway in the throat can narrow or become totally blocked. This interrupts the oxygen supply to the body which triggers the brain to interrupt deep sleep so that the airway can be reopened and normal breathing is restored.

This awakening is usually so brief that the person does not remember it.

The person awakens with a temporary shortness of breath that corrects itself quickly, within one or two deep breaths. The person makes a snorting, choking or gasping sound. All night long, this pattern can repeat itself five to 30 times or more each hour. These disruptions impair the ability to reach the deep, restful phases of sleep.

Most adults require at least eight hours of sleep to function at their best and half of that time should be spent in the deepest phase of sleep.

Obstructive sleep apnea in children, unlike adults, is often caused by obstructive tonsils and adenoids and may sometimes be cured with tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.
What are the risk factors of obstructive sleep apnea?
A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity significantly raises the risk of developing diabetes type 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2.

Anyone can develop obstructive sleep apnea. However, there are certain risk factors:
Obesity – the more obese a person is, the higher the risk. More than half of those with obstructive sleep apnea are overweight. Fat deposits around the upper airway may obstruct breathing. However, thin people can also develop the disorder.

A family history of sleep apnea – People with family members with sleep apnea, may be at increased risk.

A narrowed airway – People who have a naturally narrow throat. Tonsils or adenoids may become enlarged, blocking the airway.

Age – Being 40 years of age or over.

Being black, Hispanic or a Pacific Islander – Among people under age 35, obstructive sleep apnea is more common in blacks, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders.

Being male – In general, men are twice as likely to have sleep apnea. The reasons why are unknown.

Being older – Sleep apnea occurs two to three times more often in adults older than 65.

Chronic nasal congestion – Obstructive sleep apnea occurs twice as often in those who have consistent nasal congestion at night, regardless of the cause. This may be due to narrowed airways.

Diabetes – Obstructive sleep apnea is three times more common in people who have diabetes.

Having a large neck – The size of the neck may indicate whether or not there is an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea. This is because a thick neck may narrow the airway and may be an indication of excess weight. A neck circumference greater than 17 inches (43 centimeters) for men and 15 inches (38 centimeters) for women is associated with an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Having an unusual inner-neck structure – Such as an unusually narrow airway or unusually large tonsils or tongue or having a lower jaw that is set back further than normal.

High blood pressure (hypertension) – Obstructive sleep apnea is relatively common in people with hypertension.

Menopause – A woman’s risk appears to increase after menopause. The changes in hormone levels that occur during the menopause may cause the throat muscles to relax.

Smoking. Smokers are nearly three times more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.

Taking medicines that have a sedative effect – Such a sleeping pills or tranquillizers.

Taking the anti-impotence medicine sildenafil (Viagra) – There is some evidence to suggest that sildenafil can cause the throat muscles to relax.

Use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers – These substances relax the muscles in the throat.
What are the complications of obstructive sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is considered a serious medical condition. Complications may include:

Cardiovascular problems. Many people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) develop high blood pressure (hypertension). This also increases the risk of developing a cardiovascular disease such as a stroke or heart attack. This can lead to sudden death from a cardiac event. Sudden drops in blood oxygen levels that occur during sleep apnea increase blood pressure and strain the cardiovascular system. The more severe the obstructive sleep apnea, the greater the risk of high blood pressure. Patients with sleep apnea are much more likely to develop abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation.

Daytime fatigue. People with sleep apnea often experience severe daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability. They may have difficulty concentrating and find themselves falling asleep at work or even when driving. Children and young people with sleep apnea may do poorly in school, have reduced mental development or have behavior problems. Treatment of sleep apnea can improve these symptoms, restoring alertness and improving quality of life.

Sleeping while Driving. Experiencing significant daytime sleepiness will have an adverse impact on driving ability. One study calculated that people with severe untreated OSA are 15 times more likely to be involved in a car accident. You should avoid driving until symptoms of OSA respond to treatment

Complications with medications and surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is a concern with certain medications and general anesthesia. People with the condition may be more likely to experience complications after major surgery. This is because they are prone to breathing problems, especially when sedated and lying on their backs. Inform your doctor before having surgery. Undiagnosed sleep apnea is especially risky in this situation. Use of analgesics and sedatives in these patients postoperatively should be minimized or avoided.

Partners or family. Loud snoring can keep those around from getting good rest. This can be eventually disruptive in relationships.

People with obstructive sleep apnea may also complain of memory problems, morning headaches, mood swings or feelings of depression, and a need to urinate frequently at night.
How is obstructive sleep apnea diagnosed?
If experiencing the symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness a useful first step may be to ask a partner, friend, or relative to observe you when you are asleep. They may be able to spot episodes of breathlessness that could help to confirm a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Physical examination and tests

A physical examination and a number of tests, including a blood pressure test, may be carried out. This is in order to rule out other conditions that could explain tiredness, such as an under-active thyroid gland.

An evaluation may be made based on the signs and symptoms or there may be referral to a sleep disorder center. A sleep specialist can help decide whether there is need for further evaluation. The evaluation may involve overnight monitoring of breathing and other body functions during sleep. This can sometimes be done in sleep centers which are specialist clinics or hospital departments that help treat people with sleep disorders.
Nocturnal polysomnography. During this test, the patient is hooked up to equipment that monitors the heart, lung and brain activity, breathing patterns, arm and leg movements, and blood oxygen levels while sleeping.

Oximetry. This screening method involves using a small machine that monitors and records blood oxygen level while sleeping. A simple sleeve fits painlessly over one finger to collect the information overnight at home. The results of this test will often show drops in blood oxygen level during apneas and subsequent rises with awakenings. However, oximetry does not detect all cases of sleep apnea.

Portable cardiorespiratory testing. Under certain circumstances, the patient may be provided with at-home tests to diagnose sleep apnea. These tests usually involve oximetry, measurement of airflow and measurement of breathing patterns.
The patient may also be referred to an ear, nose and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) to rule out any anatomic blockage in the nose or throat.

The severity of OSA is judged on how many episodes of apneas are experienced over the course of an hour. The number of episodes determines mild, moderate, and severe OSA:
Mild OSA – between 5 to 14 episodes an hour.
Moderate OSA – between 15 to 30 episodes an hour.
Severe OSA – more than 30 episodes an hour.
What is the treatment for obstructive sleep apnea?
Lifestyle changes may be recommended for milder cases of obstructive sleep apnea, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. If these measures do not improve the signs and symptoms or if the apnea is moderate to severe, a number of other treatments are available:

Therapies

Positive airway pressure. For moderate to severe sleep apnea, a machine that delivers air pressure through a mask placed over the nose while sleeping may be recommended. The most common type is called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). With this treatment, the pressure of the air breathed is continuous. The compressed air prevents the airway in the throat from closing. This prevents apnea and snoring.

CPAP is the most commonly used method of treating sleep apnea. However, some people find it awkward and uncomfortable. Most people learn to adjust the mask to obtain a comfortable and secure fit. Some people also benefit from using a humidifier along with their CPAP system.

Do not stop using the CPAP machine. Check with your doctor to see what adjustments can be made to improve its comfort. Also, after weight changes, your doctor may need to adjust the pressure settings.

Mouthpiece (oral device) or Inter-oral devices (IODs). Wearing a mouthpiece designed to keep the throat open is another option. Oral appliances are a successful alternative for some patients. Some are designed to open the throat by bringing the jaw forward. This can sometimes relieve snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. Others hold the tongue in a different position. Advice from a dentist experienced in dental sleep medicine appliances is required for the fitting and follow-up therapy.

Surgery or other procedures

The goal of surgery is to remove excess tissue from the nose or throat that may be vibrating and causing the snoring. The excess tissue may be blocking the upper air passages and causing sleep apnea. Surgical options may include:
Surgical removal of tissue. Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure in which the tissue from the rear of the mouth and top of the throat is removed. The tonsils and adenoids are commonly removed as well. UPPP usually is performed in a hospital and requires a general anesthetic.

Jaw correction. This procedure is called maxillomandibular advancement. The upper and lower parts of the jaw are moved forward from the rest of the facial bones. This enlarges the space behind the tongue and soft palate, making obstruction less likely. This procedure may require an oral surgeon and an orthodontist

Surgical opening in the neck. This form of surgery may be needed if other treatments have failed and the patient has severe, life-threatening sleep apnea. In this procedure, called a tracheostomy, an opening in the neck is made. A metal or plastic tube is inserted for breathing. The opening is kept covered during the day. But at night it is uncovered to allow air to pass in and out of the lungs, bypassing the blocked air passage in the throat.

Implants. The Pillar procedure is a minimally invasive treatment. It involves placement of three tiny polyester rods in the soft palate. These inserts stiffen and support the tissue of the soft palate and reduce upper airway collapse and snoring. This treatment is recommended only for people with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.
Removing tissues in the back of the throat with a laser (laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty) or with radiofrequency energy (radiofrequency ablation) are procedures that are sometimes use to treat snoring. However, these procedures are not recommended for treating obstructive sleep apnea.

Other types of surgery: They may help reduce snoring and sleep apnea by clearing or enlarging air passages:
Nasal surgery to remove polyps or straighten a crooked partition between the nostrils (deviated nasal septum)

Surgery to remove enlarged tonsils or adenoids
Stimulants

If symptoms of daytime sleepiness are particularly severe, a short-term dose of a medicine known as a stimulant may be recommended. Stimulants work by increasing the activity within the nervous system in order to make the patient feel more alert and awake.

A medicine called modafanil may be recommended. Side effects of modfanil can include dizziness and blurred vision. In rare situations, modafanil can cause depression and make people think suicidal thoughts. The long-term use of stimulants is not recommended because they can become addictive.

Alternative treatments

Treatment is offered by speech therapists to strengthen the muscle tone and neural pathways involved in breathing.

Breathing exercises, such as those used in Yoga, the Buteyko method, or didgeridoo playing can be effective. There are muscles which act to tension and open the airway during each inspiration. Exercises can, in some cases, restore sufficient function to these muscles to prevent or reduce apnea.

Positional treatments

Many people benefit from sleeping at a 30 degree elevation of the upper body. It helps prevent the gravitational collapse of the airway. A 30 degree elevation of the upper body can be achieved by sleeping in a recliner, an adjustable bed, or a bed wedge placed under the mattress. This approach can easily be used in combination with other treatments and may be particularly effective in very obese people. Lateral positions (sleeping on a side) as opposed to supine positions (sleeping on the back), are also recommended.

Lifestyle changes

Some cases of mild to moderate OSA can be successfully treated by making changes to lifestyle. These include:
Avoiding alcohol during the evening.

Losing weight.

Quitting smoking.

Sleeping on the side, rather than on the back, may also help to relieve symptoms of OSA.

Avoid medications such as tranquilizers and sleeping pills. These relax the muscles in the back of the throat, interfering with breathing.

Keep nasal passages open at night. If there is congestion, use a saline nasal spray to help keep the nasal passages open. Get medical advice about using nasal decongestants or antihistamines, because, unlike saline sprays, these medications are generally recommended only for short-term use.