Written by Elissa Miller, ResMed
Sleep apnea, a common but little-known disorder, affects 1 in 5 adults. It stems from closure of the airway during sleep which causes breathing to stop -- sometimes for more than a minute -- often leaving the sufferer gasping for air. In severe cases, this can happen hundreds of times each night leading to serious health risks, including increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and potentially, heart attack and cardiovascular disease.
The symptoms of sleep apnea include fatigue, depression, decreased sex drive, poor concentration/memory and waking with a headache or dry sore throat. While many people perceive snoring as a common and harmless problem, it can be a clear symptom of this serious condition. Over 80 per cent of patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea are thought to be undiagnosed and untreated.
Luckily, there are safe and effective treatments available. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is recognised as the most effective treatment for the majority of cases. With this therapy, a bedside device gently delivers pressurised air via a mask to keep the upper airway open.
“People with sleep apnea often find their quality of life severely reduced. The challenge in diagnosing sleep apnea is that many sufferers are unaware that they may have the disorder,” said Mr Rob Douglas, Chief Operating Officer, ResMed Asia Pacific.
“CPAP treatment acts on a relatively simple principle of blowing air into the airway, but the latest technology behind ResMed CPAP devices, like the new S9 Series, is truly innovative,” said Mr Douglas.
With significant investment in R&D, a cross-functional team of industrial designers, mechanical, electrical, software, system engineers and technology partners, ResMed has taken CPAP therapy to a new level of effectiveness, significantly enhancing the patient’s quality of life.
An example of such collaboration is the S9 Series’ integrated microchip technology, provided by STMicroelectronics. The technology provides sensing support to help automatically control the air pressure needed by the patient; it also allows for extensive data logging, and supports a colour LCD screen to help make the device easy to use.
ResMed’s S9 Series has the functionality of a high-tech medical device, coupled with cutting-edge, yet easy-to-use design to ensure patients experience a healthy and restful night’s sleep. Now available in Australia, visit www.S9morecomfort.comand www.resmed.comfor details.
