Make your nights easier and your life better

Obstructive Sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common but serious sleep disorder affecting the life and health of almost 1 billion people worldwide. Many people have sleep apnoea without even knowing it.

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnoea, getting effective treatment should rapidly improve your daily life. Air Liquide Healthcare guides you every step of the way to make the most of your therapy and return to living your life to the fullest.

 

What is Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep Apnoea is an involuntary pause of breathing during sleep lasting over 10 seconds. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnoea, is caused by an obstruction of the airway in the throat due to the tongue and upper muscles overrelaxing during sleep. People with untreated OSA syndrome can stop breathing hundreds of times per night.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Do you snore?

Snoring is the result of tissues in the throat relaxing enough that they partially block the airway and vibrate, creating a sound.

Frequent loud snoring is one of the indicators of sleep apnoea, but not all snorers have sleep apnoea.

Besides, sleep apnoea is more than snoring !

 

Take the full test.

 

  • What are the treatments?

    Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a common and treatable condition.

    There are three main treatment options: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), Mandibular advancement device and Surgery. Ask your doctor which option is most suitable according your personal medical condition.

    CPAP is the standard treatment for moderate to severe OSAS, providing a continuous supply of ambient air to keep the airway open.

     

How will CPAP therapy improve my everyday life?

CPAP not only reduces snoring or tiredness, it also improves the quality of your sleep(1) and, consequently, improves your well-being.

When used as instructed by your doctor, the treatment is considered to be very effective in treating everyday symptoms of sleep apnoea, such as headaches in the morning (2,3), loud snoring, frequent nightmares, and feeling suffocated at night. 

When you get a good night's sleep, you'll be much less at risk of dozing off while driving(4) and you'll feel more awake and more productive at work(5). CPAP therapy can also alleviate feelings of depression and irritability(6,7), and can improve sexual performance.

 

Quality of life can improve significantly

Treating Sleep Apnoea

By treating sleep apnoea, you will be helping to reduce your risk of long-term health problems:

  1. Hypertension(8,9)
  2. Stroke or stroke and heart disease(6-9)
  3. Type 2 diabetes (10-12)
  4. Metabolic syndrome (13)

Living better with CPAP

Did you know that treating sleep apnoea effectively can improve your Personal Relationships, improve your Family life and improve your Social life.

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy can be uncomfortable at the beginning and you may be tempted to stop using it. However, people who persevere usually get used to it and their symptoms and quality of life improve significantly. CPAP not only reduces snoring or tiredness.

Get started with CPAP Therapy

Your Relationship

  • Did you know that snoring and waking up frequently at night can disturb your partner's sleep? Your CPAP equipment may allow you both to have good, restorative sleep (14).
  • Studies have shown that regular use of CPAP can help improve sexual performance and reduce sexual problems associated with sleep apnea (eg, erectile dysfunction, loss of sexual drive) (15).
  • But wearing a mask can be an obstacle to intimacy. To avoid any loss of self-esteem, you can talk about it with your partner and/or a healthcare professional.
  • A scientific study revealed that CPAP treatment improved the physical appearance of its users! According to the people interviewed, patients showed to be more alert, youthful and attractive after CPAP treatment(16).

Your family life

  • Feeling less chronically tired during the day can help you stay active and make the most of the special moments you spend with your family(17-20).
  • You may be able to spend more time with your children and/or grandchildren. In addition, not feeling so sleepy may make you less likely to fall asleep during meals, family gatherings, outings or leisure activities with the family(17-20).

Your social and professional life

  • Feeling more alert and awake all the time can help you stay active throughout the day. Workplace meetings or daily get-togethers with friends will no longer be a problem (17-20).
  • You may notice improvements in your driving skills, allowing you to move around more easily (21).
  •  Suffering from memory lapses and having trouble concentrating or paying attention are common symptoms of sleep apnea that can affect your private and professional life. These symptoms can be alleviated if you use your CPAP equipment regularly (20, 22, 23).

Our solutions

  • We select with you

    Since having the right CPAP mask is essential for the comfort and effectiveness of your treatment, we test different models until we find the ideal one for you.

  • We adapt your therapy

    To start CPAP therapy in optimal conditions, we provide guidance on Sleep Apnoea and its consequences, the treatment and its benefits. We set up your CPAP machine according to your prescription and comfort preferences. We train you on how to use it daily. We provide you useful tips to help you adapt to the treatment and adjust your life to it.
  • E-health male patient with nurse 10

    We monitor your program

    We are in close contact with you. We monitor your treatment remotely and adjust if necessary in alignment with your doctor. You receive all the guidance and clinical assistance you need at any stage of your therapy (remote monitoring, interactions with our expert teams...).

References

1. National Sleep Foundation, Sleep and CPAP adherence. Consulted 12/10/2020 @ www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-and-cpap-adherence

2. Campos-Rodriguez F, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Profile in Women with Sleep Apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(2);1700257.

3. Cass E, et al. Depressive Symptoms before and after Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Men and Women. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015;11(9);1029-38

4. Mahssa K, et al. Sleep apnea-related risk of motor vehicle accidents is reduced by continuous positive airway pressure: Swedish Traffic Accident Registry data. Sleep 2015;38(3);341-9

5.Siccoli M, et al. Effects of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Quality of Life in Patients With Moderate to Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Data from a Randomized Control-led Trial. Sleep. 2008;31(11);1551-8

6 .Young T, et al, Epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea: a population health perspective. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2002;165(9);1217-39

7 Young T, et al, Sleep Disordered Breathing and Mortality: Eighteen-Year Follow-up pf the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort. Sleep. 2008;31(8);1071-8.

8. Campos-Rodriguez F, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Blood Pressure and Metabolic Profile in Women with Sleep Apnoea. Eur Respir J. 2017;50(2):1700257.

9.Gottlieb D, et al. CPAP versus Oxygen in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. N Engl J Med. 2014;370(24):2276-85.

10. Mokhlesi B, et al. Effect of One Week of 8-Hour Nightly Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: A Proof-of-Concept Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;194(4):516-9.

11 . Martínez-Cerón E, et al. Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure on Glycemic Control in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes. The Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2016;194(4):476-85. 

12 . Aronsohn R, et al. Impact of Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Glucose Control in Type 2 Diabetes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2010;181(5):507-1

13. Sharma S, et al. CPAP for the metabolic syndrome in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(24):2277-86.

14 . Doherty LS. et al. Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy on the quality of life of bed partners of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Chest. 2003 Dec;124(6):2209-14.

15 . Melehan KL. et al. Randomized Trial of CPAP and Vardenafil on Erectile and Arterial Function in Men With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Erectile Dysfunction. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018 Apr 1;103(4):1601-1611.

16 . Chervin RD. et al. The face of sleepiness: improvement in appearance after treatment of sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med. 2013 Sep 15;9(9):845-52.

17.No DD et al. Can continuous positive airway pressure therapy improve the general health status of patients with obstructive sleep apnea?: a clinical effectiveness study. Chest. 2002 Nov;122(5):1679-85.

18 . Sforza E. et al. Daytime sleepiness and nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients: effects of chronic treatment and 1-night therapy withdrawal. Sleep. 1995 Apr;18(3):195-201.

19. Bolitschek J. et al. Impact of nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment on quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Eur Respir J. 1998 Apr;11(4):890-4.

20. Antique NA. et al. The effect of CPAP in normalizing daytime sleepiness, quality of life, and neurocognitive function in patients with moderate to severe OSA. Sleep. 2011 Jan 1;34(1):111-9.

21 . Mazza S. et al. Driving ability in sleep apnoea patients before and after CPAP treatment: evaluation on a road safety platform. Eur Respir J. 2006 Nov;28(5):1020-8.

22 . Deering S. et al. CPAP Adherence is Associated With Attentional Improvements in a Group of Primarily Male Patients With Moderate to Severe OSA. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Dec 15;13(12):1423-1428.

23 . American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). CPAP - Benefits Health Risk Prevention. Aug 2015. http://sleepeducation.org/essentials-in-sleep/cpap/benefits 

Air Liquide Healthcare

Sleep Apnoea & Ventilation, Alpha House, Wassage Way, Hampton Lovett, Droitwich, WR9 0NX, UK, 01905 823 370