April News 2022
APril 28, 2022
How a tongue ‘pacemaker’ changed the life of a teen with Down syndrome who struggled with sleep apnea
TODAY
For years, Farrell Blum, struggled with sleep apnea. Like other adolescents with Down syndrome, his breathing would stop and start while he slept, the main symptom of the potentially dangerous condition, but he didn’t snore or seem sleepy during the day. While Blum had a CPAP machine, his doctor mentioned a clinical trial for a device that works a bit like a tongue pacemaker. .) It would require surgery, but it meant Blum would no longer need to grapple with his CPAP machine's awkward and uncomfortable mask. His parents enrolled Blum in the study when he was 15 and were surprised by how the device transformed him. Now 21, Blum was the second adolescent with Down syndrome to participate in a phase one clinical study of the implantable device, a hypoglossal nerve stimulator, which is FDA approved for adults. It works by signaling the nerve that controls the tongue to move it forward, opening up the airway when the patient takes a breath while sleeping.
April 26, 2022
American Heart Associations: Sleep disorders plague stroke survivors and put them at risk
HealthDay
Sleep problems are more common among stroke survivors than the general public, according to a study published in the American Heart Association journal, Stroke. Sleep apnea, in particular, when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during the night, is considered an independent risk factor for stroke. Because of the high prevalence of sleep problems among stroke survivors, the AHA recommends assessing sleep issues to prevent further strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIA).
April 19, 2022
Can a finger pulse oximeter alone detect OSA?
Scary Symptoms
Dr. Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO, MS and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Cleveland Clinic, examines a study on what a pulse oximeter can do and how it can be a useful tool in the diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing.
April 6, 2022
New Studies: Sleep apnea pill shows durability of effect and improved quality of life in mild to severe obstructed sleep apnea
Sleep Review
Apnimed, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing oral pharmacologic treatments to address obstructive sleep apnea and related disorders, reports positive data across multiple endpoints from a Phase 2 crossover factorial clinical trial and a 28-day open-label extension study, evaluating a pill as a treatment in patients with mild to severe OSA.