Tag: sleep disorders

ARLINGTON, Va. – More than half of Americans (56%) say they have experienced an increase in sleep disturbances since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according a survey commissioned by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.   Of the reported sleep disturbances, or “COVID-somnia,” most common was trouble falling or staying asleep (57%). Others included sleeping less (46%), experiencing worse quality sleep (45%) and having more disturbing dreams (36%).  “COVID-somnia...

YARMOUTH, Maine – Sleep disorders are associated with significantly higher rates of health care utilization and expenditures, according to a study published online in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine on Oct. 1. Using a conservative prevalence estimate found in the study, the authors found the overall incremental health care costs of sleep disorders in the United States represents about $94.9 billion. Adults with sleep disorders were found to have increased utilization of office visits,...

A new group dedicated to sleep disorders could pack a lot of value for patients, say CPAP providers. “There's value in any support group,” said Todd Usher, co-founder of Home Oxygen Company in Modesto, Calif. “They can get ideas, how did you manage this, who is providing the services and equipment that you have? They get to feed off of other folks and how they are managing.” In January, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine announced it had launched the American...

WASHINGTON - As part of its new Sleeptember campaign, the American Sleep Apnea Association is looking for its Ice Bucket Challenge.“I would love to tell you what it is, but we don't know yet,” said Adam Amdur, COO. “We invite the community to help us figure it out, whether it be a pajama party or a pillow fight or a hold your breath campaign.”In September, the association did a soft launch of Sleeptember, an annual campaign to raise awareness of sleep disorders, promote behavior...

LONE TREE, Colo. - Somnia, a sleep wellness and retail store, has published an e-book for people impacted by sleep disorders. The Sleep Disorder Guide: Symptoms, Treatments & Solutions describes 10 common symptoms of sleep disorders; analysis of what medical professional is best suited to treat various sleep disorders; and why a sleep care professional is a good choice for helping with certain conditions, according to a release. "Everyone deserves a good night's sleep," says Ann Fleming, Somnia's...

PHILADELPHIA - The American College of Physicians, in a clinical practice guideline published Aug. 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommends a sleep study for patients with unexplained daytime sleepiness. It also recommends polysomnography for diagnostic testing in patients suspected of obstructive sleep apnea. It recommends portable sleep monitors in patients without serious comorbidities as an alternative to polysomnography when polysomnography is not available for diagnostic testing. The...

SOMERSET, Pa. - The DeVilbiss clinical education team has created a lineup of live webinars in which providers can earn continuing education credits (CEUs), according to a press release. The webinars have been pre-approved through the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) and the Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) so sleep technologists and respiratory therapists can earn the professional credits. The lineup includes sessions on choosing the right oxygen system for...

NEW YORK - Sleep apnea may somehow cause—or be caused by—Alzheimer's disease, a new study suggests. Researchers at the New York University of Medicine found a correlation between the two conditions, but findings were preliminary, with nothing conclusive, according to an article from HealthDay news service. Lead author Dr. Ricardo Osorio, however, said that there deserves to be further study, since there may be a link between sleep, aging and memory. “It's clear that sleep is important...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Sleep Nation, a provider of CPAP supplies, has bundled its call center, insurance eligibility and fulfillment teams into a live call service for providers, according to a press release. The provider is pitching the services to other providers looking to increase their re-supply businesses. “Live callers perform better than automated options and provide for better patient communication and care,” stated Richardson Roberts, CEO of Sleep Nation, in the release.

GREENVILLE, S.C. - MedBridge Healthcare has completed the acquisitions of two Fargo, N.D.-based sleep care providers: Precision Diagnostic Systems, a provider of sleep diagnostic and testing services; and SleepEasy Therapeutics, a provider of CPAP and respiratory services. The acquisitions expand MedBridge's geographic footprint to service patients in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin, according to a press release. “The combined businesses complement...