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What is Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation Treatment for Sleep Apnea?

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation therapy is an alternative option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, who are unwilling or intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, or CPAP therapy. Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator, or HGNS, is a pacemaker-like pulse generator implanted in the chest and attached to an electrode wrapped around one hypoglossal nerve. This device has been approved by the FDA for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The device contains a sensor placed between the external and internal intercostal muscles along the lateral chest wall to detect breathing effort, an electrode wrapped around hypoglossal nerve, and pressure sensor attached to a cuff that wraps around pharyngeal walls. The purpose is for activating tongue protrusor muscles and retractor muscles which then stiffen both posterior aspects of tongue and walls for easier airway opening. Furthermore, this cuff is connected to processor which signals when inspiration begins - considered crucial time when obstruction can be reversed. A 60-month outcome study (the STAR trial) has proven that HGNS is an effective sleep apnea treatment option for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This finding indicated greater adherence to therapy compared to those receiving PAP therapy alone or CPAP plus customized oral appliances. While these results are encouraging, further research is necessary in order to fully comprehend HGNS' effects on OSA and how best to provide care to those using it instead of CPAP. The STAR trial was a large multicenter study that enrolled 126 patients who met specific criteria to receive HGNS treatment. The primary endpoint was measured by polysomnography during sleep: how many apnea events occurred during this period of observation? The secondary endpoints were patient-reported outcomes and clinically relevant sleep quality metrics. The HGNS group, the only group included in the STAR trial, achieved apnea event resolution rates of >85% and a clinically meaningful improvement in sleep quality. Clinically relevant outcomes included an average reduction in apnea episodes per hour of sleep that was significantly greater than what could be achieved with CPAP therapy alone. The HGNS group reported greater sleep efficiency and less fatigue than those receiving CPAP therapy alone or with a customized oral appliance. A number of other studies are underway to further examine the benefits of HGNS for people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, in order to determine which treatment strategy works best. Before this HGNS method, soft tissue surgery or orthognathic surgery were the only other available treatments; however, these surgical methods have limited success and significant surgical risk; in contrast, this HGNS procedure has been proven to significantly reduce symptoms associated with obstructive sleep apnea in most patients. Consult with your doctor for more details about HGNS treatment for sleep apnea.
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Diabetes Treatment Tailored to Your Lifestyle and Individual Needs

Diabetic treatment entails taking the correct medicine, eating properly, exercising regularly and other steps to keep blood sugar under control. Doing this can help avoid serious complications like kidney failure, heart disease or blindness. Monitor your own glucose levels using a glucometer, which checks your blood sugar every 30 minutes or more throughout the day. Or you can opt for a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), which attaches to your body and checks blood sugar every few minutes up to seven days at a time. In order to help regulate insulin production and bring back normal blood glucose levels, you will need medicines. Your healthcare provider or diabetes nurse can work together with you to find the medication and dose that's most suitable for you. Metformin, a drug that promotes weight loss and improves insulin resistance, is often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes as their first drug of choice. It does this by decreasing sugar production from the liver and increasing insulin production by the pancreas - potentially eliminating other medications needed for diabetes treatment. Other medications can be prescribed to address other health concerns associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels. Newer classes of drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, can help lower blood sugar, improve cholesterol levels and provide other benefits for those living with type 2 diabetes. Examples include canaglifozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), empagliflozin (Jardiance) and ertugliflozin (Steglatro).
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Chronic Insomnia Treatment

Chronic insomnia is when you struggle to fall asleep regularly. Not only does this disrupt your life, but it may also leave you feeling tired and irritable during the day. Furthermore, chronic insomnia has been linked to mental health problems as well as an increased risk for heart disease. Chronic insomnia can be treated in several ways. The first option is visiting your doctor and having a physical examination. Your GP will ask about your sleeping habits, stress management strategies and any other issues contributing to the problem. They'll then assess if there are any underlying health conditions causing the issue and suggest an appropriate treatment plan. Your doctor may suggest trying an over-the-counter medication for a short time to see if it helps alleviate your insomnia. However, these should only be considered a last resort as they don't address the source of the issue and often come with potential adverse reactions. Treatment for chronic insomnia can be achieved with behavioral interventions and talking therapy. CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is a type of talk therapy that seeks to alter thought patterns and behaviours that are interfering with sleep. Over the course of 1-4 sessions, your therapist will teach you techniques for dealing with thoughts and feelings that keep you up at night; these may include visualizing times when things went well in the past and stopping worrying about the future. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and lorazepam, have been successfully used to treat chronic insomnia. These medications can be prescribed in low doses and usually taken for only a few weeks at a time. Benzodiazepines are effective for treating anxiety and insomnia. They come in different strengths, can be taken in pill, tablet or liquid form - however they should not be prescribed to elderly individuals due to their potential detrimental effect on cognitive function as well as increased risks of falls and accidents. These medications can be taken as a single tablet before bed, but it should only be done once each night to minimize side effects. They should not be used long-term and may prove addictive. Other treatments to help with chronic insomnia could include taking melatonin supplements or practicing meditation. These are often effective if you are under stress and can be combined with other interventions.
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Is Sleep Apnea Genetic?

Do you have sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is the most common type of sleep disorder and tends to run in families. This condition occurs when your throat muscles relax and you slurp up air, narrowing or closing off your throat and preventing oxygen from reaching your brain and other organs during sleep. The condition can be a serious health risk and lead to daytime sleepiness, poor quality of life, depression, irritability, personality changes and other difficulties. Furthermore, it increases your likelihood for obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Sleep apnea may run in your family, but that doesn't guarantee you will develop it. The condition is caused by a combination of factors including genetics, lifestyle choices and overall health. Research has revealed that obstructive sleep apnea may have a 40% hereditary component, meaning you are more likely to develop it if your family members do. This is because many traits associated with the disorder are heritable - like the shape of your airway or lower jaw - which could make for an advantageous genetic match. If your family has a history of sleep apnea, it's essential to get tested. Your doctor can then suggest CPAP treatment and other sleep apnea treatment options to improve your quality of sleep and ward off serious health complications in the future. Research still needs to be done on the exact mechanisms by which sleep apnea is heritable, making it impossible to definitively say whether it has a genetic component. Regardless, if you experience any symptoms associated with this disorder, don't hesitate to see your doctor immediately.
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Sleep Deprivation Among Malaysians in 2023

A recent survey revealed that nine out of ten Malaysians have suffered from one or more sleep disorders at some point during their life. Also, according to Amlife's inaugural Sleep Survey 2018, most people who struggle to get enough shut-eye blame their busy lifestyle or long work hours for not getting enough shut-eye. Furthermore, four in ten take more than 30 minutes before falling asleep on average. Sleep is essential for our health, allowing the brain and body to work optimally so we can be productive during the day, learn new things, and make informed decisions. Not getting enough shut-eye can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, diabetes, obesity and mental illness. Studies have demonstrated that lack of sleep can have negative consequences on physical and mental wellbeing, with associations to conditions like type II diabetes, heart disease, depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation is a worldwide public health concern in 2023 that impacts many countries including Malaysia. We will need adequate sleep each night in order to improve their focus, memory, and learning ability. Poor quality of sleep may also lead to other health issues like depression, stress, or anxiety; not to mention increased risks of accidents and suicide. Thus, it is vitally important to identify what causes sleep deprivation among us so that interventions can be put in place to combat it. Contact The Air Station Malaysia for more information about CPAP machines, CPAP therapy, obstructive sleep apnea treatment and sleep study test.
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