What is Sleep Apnea?

Simply put, sleep apnea is when one’s breathing is paused during sleep. Not only does this affect the quality of your sleep, but there are a number of other tangible health impacts as well.

The most common type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which simply refers to the fact that part (or all) of one’s airway is blocked while they are sleeping. This blockage is caused by collapsed walls of soft tissue, which move as we breathe.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, sleep apnea regularly goes undiagnosed, partly because it is undetectable during a normal check up and also because it can’t be identified through a blood test. The idea that obstructive sleep apnea goes largely undiagnosed is especially important when considering just how many people suffer from this condition on a nightly basis.

Studies suggest that roughly 18 million Americans are suffering from sleep apnea, that’s 1 in 15 people! Chances are, someone you know isn’t sleeping as well as they could be. If we are to believe estimations that 80% of all people with sleep apnea are diagnosed – that adds up to millions of individuals who are not receiving the treatments available to improve their sleep and their overall health.

Some people mistakenly believe that sleep apnea is more of an “inconvenience” than a medical condition. The truth is, sleep apnea can affect individuals with a varying level of severity. For some, the consequences may just be a poorer sleep, but other could be facing more than 30 drops in airflow each hour they sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea that is this severe can have a marked impact on one’s every day life, their ability to perform at work, stay alert mentally, and their general well-being.

It’s incredibly important that individuals who are suffering from obstructive sleep apnea at any level of scenario know both that they are affected by this condition and that there are treatments and devices out there that they can access to improve their sleep, and their overall health.

CPAP

One of the most notable obstructive sleep apnea treatment devices is called CPAP, short for continuous positive airway pressure. The basic idea behind CPAP is that the air pressure in your throat is increased in order to prevent that soft tissue wall from collapsing, and this preventing the blockage of your airway during sleep.

In simple terms, this is done through a mask that fits over your nose and mouth and is connected to a machine those blows that pressurized air into your mouth and nose while you sleep. For a more detailed explanation, check out the NHLBI’s website. These machines have had a tremendous impact on those with sleep apnea, but there have been some additional health benefits as well.

CPAP treatments have been tied in some ways to cardiovascular health. A series of 2014 studies found that CPAP treatments for those who are obese or suffering from severe obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to lower blood pressure. Of course, lower blood pressure plays a role in improving cardiovascular health and ultimately improving one’s overall health.

Additionally, for those with diabetes, another 2014 study found that CPAP treatments may lead to long-term improvements in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and contribute to improved glycemic control. Without getting too technical, the study essentially showed that important blood glucose levels were lowered over five consecutive years when CPAP treatments were used. This contributed to an improvement in patient health and well being and has paved the way for further CPAP research in this area.

While this was a lot of information about sleep apnea, CPAP, and the impact it can have on patient health, the most important thing to understand is how crucial it is for the millions of people with this condition to understand that there are treatments like CPAP available to improve their health and make a significant improvement in the quality of their everyday life.

CPAP Leads

Lead generation is one very effective way for CPAP suppliers to connect more effectively with a customer base that is both qualified for and interested in purchasing CPAP devices.

Simply put, a lead generation campaign will boost your company’s marketing efforts and help you reach only customers that would benefit from the type of medical device you are providing. You don’t have to deal with all of the clutter associated with traditional marketing and are guaranteed a list of sales prospects who are qualified, interested, and ready to speak to your sales staff.

Interested?

Prizm Media is a sophisticated lead generation firm that aims to improve health outcomes for consumers with chronic conditions. More importantly, we understand the needs of a CPAP supplier and are ready to work with companies that need assistance optimizing their marketing efforts and connecting more effectively with their customer base. By reaching more individuals who could benefit from your product or service, you are not only growing your sales but you are improving the lives of that many more individuals struggling with chronic conditions like sleep apnea.