Tag: Sleep Apnea

At least 30 million adults in the United States have sleep apnea, but only 6 million have received a diagnosis. If left untreated, sleep apnea can affect the entire body, leading to reduced oxygen levels, poor sleep quality, and impaired cognitive function, as well as increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, diabetes, and metabolic disorders. So why are so many patients given incorrect information about this prevalent condition? SuperCare Health is here to  help you separate fact from fiction. Join our leading clinicians as we debunk the most common sleep apnea myths. 

Myth: There is only one type of sleep apnea.

Fact: There are two types of sleep apnea. 

1. Obstructive sleep apnea, often called OSA. The upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, interfering with breathing. 
2. Central sleep apnea. The muscles and nerves aren’t activated enough for breathing while asleep, causing pauses in airflow. 

Myth: Only extremely overweight people can be diagnosed with sleep apnea. 

Fact: While a higher weight is linked to a greater possibility of developing sleep apnea, people at a healthy weight can also have the condition. Other factors besides weight can put you at higher risk, including hypothyroidism, family history, menopause, heart and kidney conditions, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, and the structure of your face and neck.

Myth: Sleep apnea is more common in younger adults.

Fact: In a recent study, The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that 56% of people age 65 and older had a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea. 

Myth: Sleep apnea symptoms are usually extreme with no spectrum of severity.

Fact: Patients can be diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe sleep apnea. Though less common, some may be diagnosed with severe sleep apnea yet experience few symptoms, while others may have mild sleep apnea with several symptoms. 

Myth: If you snore, you definitely have sleep apnea. Those who don’t snore do not have the condition.

Fact: For those with sleep apnea, breathing during sleep is interrupted many times throughout the night, often resulting in nighttime snoring. However, people who snore but feel refreshed the next day may just experience simple snoring and not sleep apnea. Conversely, not everyone with sleep apnea snores. In fact, up to 20% of diagnosed patients do not experience snoring.

From quick and easy CPAP and BiPAP resupply to telehealth appointments with our award winning clinicians, SuperCare Health will stay by your side on your healthcare journey. To learn more about our comprehensive respiratory care programs, visit our patients page online. Read about our newest division, SuperCare Diabetes, by clicking here. To get in touch with a SuperCare Health customer service representative, call (800) 206-4880.

Welcome to SuperCare Diabetes^TM, the newest division of SuperCare Health® focused on streamlining and strengthening services for patients managing coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes. With continuous glucose monitors (CGM), insulin pumps, and other diabetes care supplies added to our healthcare services and programs, we’ve combined the latest technology with skilled patient care representatives for a supportive, convenient, and cost-effective patient experience.

Did you know that diabetes frequently coexists with chronic respiratory conditions such as sleep apnea, COPD, and diseases that require long-term oxygen therapy? For patients struggling to manage the complexities of these intersecting health challenges, SuperCare Diabetes is here to share the top three things patients should know about coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes. 

1. It’s essential to follow your prescribed care plan. Effective management of coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes is critical to reducing complications, enhancing overall health outcomes, and improving your quality of life. For convenient ordering and delivery of your prescribed respiratory supplies, contact SuperCare Health online or by calling (800) 206-4880. To contact our diabetes care team, click here or call (855) 761-0889.     

2. Increasing severity of sleep apnea has been associated with worsening glucose control. It’s important for patients with diabetes to see a doctor if they’re experiencing sleep apnea symptoms. According to a joint study published by McGill University and The University of Chicago, up to 83% of patients with type 2 diabetes may suffer from undiagnosed sleep apnea. To receive support for your sleep apnea management, view SuperCare Health’s full list of sleep services here.  

3. A diabetes diagnosis is not a death sentence. It’s a lifesaver! The American Diabetes Association reports that 1.2 million Americans receive a new diabetes diagnosis every year. It’s estimated that 8.7 million adults in the US remain undiagnosed.The good news is that it’s easier than ever to manage your diabetes with the latest technology, such as a discrete, wearable monitor that delivers real-time glucose numbers to a smartphone. Learn more about the latest diabetes innovations from SuperCare Diabetes online.  

Through SuperCare Health’s mission to improve lives and reduce the cost of care, our dedicated team of experienced healthcare professionals remains committed to supporting our communities one home, one family, and one patient at a time. It all starts here, with convenient access to care for coexisting respiratory conditions and diabetes.

Want to learn more about SuperCare Health? Check out our latest video.