for OSA, CPAP use may prevent premature death

filbert · Post by **filbert** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:54 pm

Terry Young, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, says in a news release. "Our findings suggest -- but cannot prove -- that people diagnosed with sleep apnea should be treated, and if CPAP is the prescribed treatment, regular use may prevent premature death."

Sleep Apnea May Be Deadly
Risk of Premature Death 3 Times Higher in People With Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Aug. 1, 2008 -- Suffering from sleep apnea may do more than just spoil a good night's sleep. A new study shows that people with severe sleep apnea may be up to three times more likely to die prematurely, and that risk increases if the sleep disorder is left untreated.

Full article here: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sl ... -be-deadly

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 2:21 pm

Thank you for posting. I think the reason you haven't had a lot of response yet is because we're all very (too) aware of what you've said - it's more or less old news here, which is why we're all trying to get on board with Cpap - you're preaching to the converted , but I guess it never hurts to be reminded.

filbert · Post by **filbert** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:45 pm

Julie wrote:Thank you for posting. I think the reason you haven't had a lot of response yet is because we're all very (too) aware of what you've said - it's more or less old news here, which is why we're all trying to get on board with Cpap - you're preaching to the converted :lol:, but I guess it never hurts to be reminded.

I realize that I'm preaching to the converted, but

(1) It's reassuring to have corroboration.

(2) It's good to be reminded of the importance of remaining compliant with CPAP treatment.

(3) This article can be sent to those who just don't understand that OSA is a life threatening condition.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): news, CPAP

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:47 pm

you're right about that filbert

i've already sent the link to my dad, who is in denial about having what i'm sure is severe OSA and my brothers, one of whom was dx'd months ago and still hasn't followed up with any kind of treatment

thanks for posting the link

yorkiemum01 · Post by **yorkiemum01** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:13 pm

Sadly...I am reporting a co-worker of mine just lost her father
to OSA. He had a CPAP, but these last few months struggled w/diabetes issues, and while in rehab center after a routine surgery, refused to wear his mask. Nurses kept notifying the Dr (and her father) that his Oxygen Sat levels at night plummeted, but he continued to refuse to use his equiptment. He was found early last Sunday morning last week.......gone. He was 59, MUCH too young!!!

yorkiemum01 · Post by **yorkiemum01** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:20 pm

Sharon...I ache for you....as I know you stuggle to get your family
on board with their therapy. My father and brothers are all CPAP users
(brother since the age of 23), and I....an experienced medical careworker...fought the idea for YEARS that I had a problem. My family continued to tell me to GET TESTED, and I remained in denial until I nearly
lost control falling asleep at the wheel driving home after work. That was MY wake up call! Went in for titration study earlier this year and found I also have severe OSA, and pleased to report I'm greatly improved on my therpay. Some of us are a little more hard-headed than others I suppose, but I'm certainly glad I had a turning point. Dont lose hope.

deerslayer · Post by **deerslayer** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 7:48 pm

it must have done something for this 63 year old... my last bike was a HD low rider , sold it 25+ years ago. haven't been on one since. today i'm back on a Triumph bonneville T100 ...thank you cpap

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:01 pm

yorkiemum01 wrote:Sharon...I ache for you....as I know you stuggle to get your family
on board with their therapy. My father and brothers are all CPAP users
(brother since the age of 23), and I....an experienced medical careworker...fought the idea for YEARS that I had a problem. My family continued to tell me to GET TESTED, and I remained in denial until I nearly
lost control falling asleep at the wheel driving home after work. That was MY wake up call! Went in for titration study earlier this year and found I also have severe OSA, and pleased to report I'm greatly improved on my therpay. Some of us are a little more hard-headed than others I suppose, but I'm certainly glad I had a turning point. Dont lose hope.

thanks for your kind words, yorkiemum
the really scary thing is that my father has suffered at least 4 TIA's over the years, and last week my oldest brother, who is only 49, suffered his first...
there's just no talking to some people

Morpheus · Post by **Morpheus** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:32 am

What I am curious about - and none of the reports of this very compelling study indicate - is what is the increased mortality risk for CPAP users. It's clearly reduced from those with untreated apnea. Some skilled number crunchers out there might be able to infer the answer from this report: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117168.php.

Thanks in advance for anyone who can come up with the answer. (I know we have many, ahem, MENSA readers...)

pad · Post by **pad** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 12:37 pm

I got a good scare recently. I had almost given up on using the CPAP machine though I was diagnosed 2-3/4 years ago. I heard recently about 2 different folks locally who had died from OSD. One guy was just 42, I 'm not sure how old the other person was.

jnk · Post by **jnk** » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:40 am

What I am curious about - and none of the reports of this very compelling study indicate - is what is the increased mortality risk for CPAP users. It's clearly reduced from those with untreated apnea. Some skilled number crunchers out there might be able to infer the answer from this report:

Here's my opinion, though I ain't no mensa. Heck, I ain't even "bright." BUT . . .

The problem with trying to extrapolate that kind of info would be how you would go about defining and differentiating "CPAP users," "compliant CPAP users," and "compliant and effective CPAP users," THEN adjusting separately for comorbities and other significant factors. I would only define MYSELF as effective some days of the week!

The trick for OSA sufferers is to get on PAP therapy early in life, do it well, and stick with it while taking care of other health issues. And it will be a while before lab rats get all that stuff figured out in studies, given how recently (relatively speaking) PAP therapy has come on the scene and how few people know how to make it work for themselves.

I think we need to get the plumbers of the world on board to help us with the leaks, personally.

jnk

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: straight cpap 12.20 AHI avg.0.79