Tag Archive for: sleep apnea

5 Tips For Holiday Traveling With A Lung Disease

24 octubre, 2026/in For Pulmonary Patients

he holiday season is right around the corner, and we can’t believe it! This is always an incredibly exciting time of year, with trips planned and precious time spent with family and friends.

For people with chronic lung diseases or temporary pulmonary conditions, however, the holidays can present a number of challenges as well. Travelling with a lung condition or disease can be complicated, but with proper preparation, you’ll be able to navigate these difficulties with ease while traveling for the holidays.

No matter what your holiday itinerary is, there are 5 major tips you need to follow to make sure your lung condition doesn’t keep you or your family members grounded (yes, even if supplemental oxygen is your best buddy).

1. Get a spare oxygen tank if your doctor has every prescribed oxygen for you, even if you don’t use supplemental oxygen on a regular basis. If you do use supplemental oxygen, don’t forget to take enough oxygen tanks to cover your holiday travel.

If you’re traveling by plane, don’t forget that the air in the cabin is pretty thin, and sometimes even people with healthy lung functioning may crave more oxygen and require assistance to breathe. Patients with a pulmonary chronic disease or temporary condition like bronchitis or allergic asthma should have an oxygen tank or portable oxygen container with them during their entire holiday travel, just on the off chance that they’ll need it. Don’t forget to take your oxygen prescription and a letter from your doctor with you as well!

2. Arrive at the airport at least 4 hours before a domestic flight and 5 hours prior to international flight to have enough time for a security check.

This rule will be most applicable to people with a portable oxygen concentrator, who will need additional time to go through the security check. Unfortunately, some airlines make It incredibly complicated and don’t allow travelers with special needs to check in online, which means people with a pulmonary chronic disease or temporary conditions who want to bring their portable oxygen concentrator (POC) on board will have to physically check in at the airport.

On top of that, your POC may be examined by the airport security officers, which will take even more time. So, if you want to stay out of a holiday rush, make sure to arrive early and plan accordingly. Also, something very important for a holiday traveler with pulmonary conditions: don’t be shy to ask for a spot in an expedited security line if you are running out of time, just explain your condition to the airport staff and show a doctor’s note.

3. Make sure your accommodation is located on the lower floor, has elevators or special assistance to go up and down.

While stairs and elevations might seem like no big deal during the travel planning stage, it may become a bigger problem on the spot. People with normal lung function will have no problems going up and down stairs or hills as many times as they possibly can – their lungs will be just fine – unless they’re constant smokers who get shortness of breath. However, people with a chronic lung disease or any temporary pulmonary conditions may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and other life-threatening conditions that can lead to disastrous complications like heart or lung failure.

In order to prevent any risks, be sure to select accommodations that are easily accessible and are not substantially higher or lower than the ground level. When booking your holiday trip, don’t forget to include an additional note requesting appropriate accommodations for a traveler with a pulmonary condition.

4. If traveling to colder places, use appropriate winter gear and wear a mask.

Cold climate has its benefits, but can be extremely harmful to people with pulmonary conditions. People with pulmonary chronic diseases or even temporary conditions have very vulnerable lungs, which means cold weather and dry air can affect the lungs in a negative way, leading to bigger pulmonary conditions.

To combat this, make sure you keep your entire body warm, but not sweaty. In order to prevent sweating, choose layers made from natural materials and try to stay away from synthetics. In addition to that, use a cold weather mask that can warm up the air before it gets into your lungs, making it more comfortable and safe for you and your lungs.

5. Stay away from seasonal infections.

No matter what type of pulmonary condition you have, you don’t want any additional infections in your body, right? So, the most obvious but most important advice would be to think 10 steps ahead and minimize exposure to infection on your holiday journey. Before the travel, make sure you get a flu shot to prevent an infection and a pneumonia shot (if prescribed by your doctor). Besides vaccinations, make sure to wash your hands often, use sanitizing gels or wipes before you touch anything and stay away from crowds.

Despite the fact that traveling with a pulmonary condition may require additional preparation, it can still be a great holiday journey that you will remember your entire life. All you need is to spend some additional time and resources to carefully plan all the details of your travel in a way that accounts for your pulmonary conditions and any complications that may be associated with it. And, of course, if you need help of an experienced pulmonologist, just let us know! We’re here to help you with any pulmonary issues or questions you might have.

Happy Holidays & Safe Travel!

The 4 Most Common Sleep Disorders

21 septiembre, 2018/in Sleep Disorders

Everyone has experienced a poor night of sleep every once in a while, but there are many people who suffer from consistent sleep deprivation due to their inability to get a good night’s rest on any given night.

These people are the individuals who suffer from various sleep disorders. For those individuals struggling to sleep on a nightly basis, it is important to get help. A lack of sleep, especially on a nightly basis, can have very adverse effects on your overall health and well-being. It is not unusual to have a limited understanding of the many different sleep disorders, but the first step toward fixing the issue is recognizing it and then understanding it.

So, whether you think you might be experiences sleep struggles and want to know more, or you just want to educate yourself, here are the most common sleep disorders:

1. Sleep Apnea or OSAS (Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome):

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep apnea affects up to 12 million Americans. Rooted in the Greek word apnea, which means “without breath,” sleep apnea is a sleep disorder caused an individuals’ inability to breath effectively throughout the night. Throughout the night, someone’s breathing might stall for 10 seconds or higher up to 25-30 times per hour. These pauses often lead to the individual choking and gasping for air, disrupting any chances for effective sleep. Not only does this result in decreases in daily functions, but it can also lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder, but it can be treated. While the specific treatment for sleep apnea will depend on individual factors, there are a few possible treatments. First, behavioral changes can be effective. Such changes usually include weight loss, learning new sleep habits, and avoiding harmful substances such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Furthermore, Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy can also be required for an effective treatment. This therapy includes wearing a pressurized mask that helps keep your airways open while you sleep. Treatment might also include other oral or dental devices that hold the tongue and jaw forward, opening the airways. Lastly, some patients might need surgery to effectively treat sleep apnea. Surgeries often include removing adenoids and tonsils.

2. Insomnia:

Insomnia can be one of the more discrete sleep disorders, but it affects many people and can have serious implications on their daily life. While it is normal to have trouble sleeping every once in a while, people who suffer from insomnia struggle getting enough satisfying sleep on most nights. So, if you struggling with one or more of the following on a nightly basis, you might struggle with insomnia:

· Difficulties falling asleep, especially when tired

· Awakening during your sleep often throughout the night as well as difficulty falling back asleep

· Waking up early in the morning despite poor sleep

· Overall unrefreshing sleep

Insomnia affects anywhere up to 60 million people in America, and the risk for insomnia only grow as you age. Fortunately, insomnia can typically be treated by treating the underlying conditions and symptoms that might be causing your struggles. This often involves behavioral changes and medication, but it depends on the individual. You can set up an appointment with a doctor to discuss possible underlying causes.

3. Narcolepsy:

Narcolepsy is one of the more complicated and difficult sleep disorders as it is a chronic disorder without a known cause. Narcolepsy affects individuals’ central nervous system by sending them signals for when to be awake and when to be asleep at sporadic and often incorrect times. This often results in individuals falling asleep at times throughout the day, and this often occurs without much of a notice. Likewise, this can also result in very poor and broken up sleep for people suffering from narcolepsy. Not only does this have similar implications on daily life as the other sleep disorders, but it can also prevent people from carrying out normal tasks effectively, such as driving.

While there is no cure for narcolepsy, the symptoms of narcolepsy can be controlled through medication and behavioral changes. Of course, the specific treatment used to control the symptoms will depend on individual circumstances, treatment usually involves taking a stimulant throughout the day as well as integrating 10-15 minute naps into the patient’s day.

4. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS):

Just as it sounds, restless leg syndrome is a disorder in which a person suffers from unpleasant feelings and sensations in their legs. Patients often describe their sensations as creeping, crawling, tingling, pulling, and painful. RLS symptoms occur most often in the calf and lower leg area, but can extend to the ankle, thigh, and even in the arms. People who struggle with RLS can have their daily life disrupted due to extreme daytime fatigue. A person might also suffer with decreased focused and even memory loss when dealing with RLS and fatigue.

While there is no direct cure for restless leg syndrome, sometimes RLS can be controlled by treating underlying conditions. Otherwise, people can make lifestyle adjustments to help subdue mild RLS symptoms. These lifestyle changes often include the following:

· Reducing, or eliminating, the use of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, as well as any other drugs

· Increasing intake of minerals such as iron, folate, and magnesium, which can usually be done by way of taking supplements

· Participating in an exercise routine that involves moderate levels of exercise every day

· Maintaining a better sleep schedule that follows a stronger pattern than previous sleep habits

· Massaging the affected areas, taking cold or hot baths, and using heating pads and/or ice packs to soothe the affected area

At the end of the day, sleep is extremely important for anyone who wants a healthy and well life. Even the smallest sleep disruptions can have major implications on someone’s daily life when the disruptions become a consistent part of your sleep process. If you have any concerns about your sleep patterns or any symptoms you struggle with, feel free to contact us or your doctor to set up an appointment to discuss possible diagnosis and treatment.

How Sleep Apnea Can Increase Your Risk Of Having A Stroke

5 julio, 2018/in Sleep Disorders, Sleep Medicine

Having sleep apnea is typically synonymous with loud bouts of snoring, and short periods of breath-holding. Generally, most people go on about their lives (or sleep) without getting treatment for their symptoms of sleep apnea. But, sleep apnea is a much more serious condition than many realize and can slowly deteriorate a person’s health, eventually causing a complication.

One of the biggest dangers of sleep apnea is how it can significantly increase a person’s risk of having a stroke. Here’s everything you need to know about sleep apnea and sleep apnea stroke related incidence.

What Causes Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS). This type of sleep apnea is caused by a blockage in the airway, usually because the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses while breathing at night. The other kind of sleep apnea is Central Sleep Apnea Syndrome. This type of sleep apnea is caused when the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe when you are sleeping.

Some risk factors can also contribute to a person developing sleep apnea or suffering from a stroke. For example, it’s important to note that sleep apnea is most common in men between the ages of 35 and 70, and more than half of the men who have it are overweight. Furthermore, more than half of the people who have a stroke also suffer from sleep apnea.

Some other risk factors include:

Neck circumference: Fatty deposits around the neck can lead to the obstruction of airways.
A narrowed airway: This can be genetic, or caused by enlarged tonsils/adenoids.
Family history: If your relatives suffer from OSAS, your risk is greater.
Use of alcohol, sedatives, or tranquilizers: These tend to relax the muscles in your throat.
Smoking: Smokers are three times more likely to develop OSAS. Smoking also leads to inflammation and irritated airways.
Nasal Congestion: Either because of your anatomy or allergies, you are more at risk for developing OSAS.

Sleep Apnea Stroke-Related Complications

Sleep apnea is mainly characterized by a lapse in breathing for 10 seconds or more. This continual lack of oxygen can cause increased levels of hormone, which in turn can cause high blood pressure, and untreated high blood pressure can lead to cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, Obstructive Sleep Apnea impacts the heart’s functionality and the lack of oxygen causes a lot of stress on the heart, which over time can lead to a stroke or a heart attack.

More Information

If you’re unsure whether you are suffering from the symptoms of sleep apnea, it’s important that you seek a diagnosis at our sleep center. With proper treatment, sleep apnea is manageable and will likely not lead to any more serious complications. To determine a proper treatment or to seek a diagnosis, please contact us today to book an appointment with one of our sleep specialists.

10 Ways Visiting Our Sleep Disorder Center Can Help

1 febrero, 2018/in Sleep Medicine

Sleeping in your own bed is probably one of the best things in the world, but when you’re not sleeping properly not even a comfy, familiar bed is enough to make you feel better.

Visiting a sleep disorder center or staying overnight for sleep research studies might seem uncomfortable, awkward, or downright annoying, but it a very easy, informative, and beneficial process that can potentially improve your ability to fall asleep and/or stay asleep, as well as diagnose any unknown sleeping disorders that you might be suffering from.

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider visiting the Florida Sleep Disorder Center in Brandon or Sun City:

1. It will make you feel better! Most importantly, the experienced team at the Florida Sleep Disorder Center can help you live a healthier, more rested life. Suffering from a sleep disorder is very detrimental to your general quality of life (and maybe even your partner’s). Through state of the art diagnostic testing and quality care, the experts at our Florida Sleep Disorder Center may be able to not only diagnose the source of your sleeping woes, but also help you come up with an appropriate treatment plan that will improve your quality of life.

2. The experts at Florida Sleep Disorder Center have over 30 years of experience diagnosing pulmonary and sleep conditions. Their team has helped thousands of people with sleep disorders get on the road to happy, healthy, restful sleep. Their physicians are board certified in Internal Medicine, Critical Care, Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, so you know you’ll be getting the best treatment and care available.

3. In-lab testing is easy and comfortable. Some patients are nervous about staying overnight at the Florida Sleep Disorder Center, and they imagine it’s probably like spending the night at a hospital. But, the accommodations are actually very relaxing and comfortable! Each bedroom is furnished with a queen-sized bed, reading material, a lamplight, and a television. It is almost like staying in a hotel.

4. The Florida Sleep Disorder Center offers both in-lab and at home diagnostic testing. If you’re lucky enough, you may be able to take the diagnostic test at home.

5. An accredited sleep specialist can determine which disorder is affecting you. The specialists at the Florida Sleep Disorder Center are uniquely qualified to analyze your symptoms and determine which sleep condition may be impacting your life. They have many diagnostic tools and years of experience at their disposal.

6. It may be hard to determine which sleep disorder you have elsewhere. The term “sleep disorder” is an umbrella term that encompasses many different conditions such as sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), narcolepsy, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome (RLS). There are hundreds of sleep-related disorders, and unless your regular doctor also specializes in Pulmonology or Sleep Medicine then it’s unlikely that they’ll be able to identify which sleep disorder you have. It’s better to visit a specialist who’s been studying sleep disorders for decades and is specifically trained to diagnose and treat these types of conditions.

7. Loud snoring can be more serious than expected. Snoring loudly is certainly a bother to one’s partner, but it could also be a serious sign of breathing complications or stress on vital organs. So, whether or not you think it’s serious, it’s probably best to let a specialist decide.

8. Treating your sleep disorder will benefit your waking life. Jobs, relationships, health, safety, and productivity are all negatively impacted by fatigue. If these areas are suffering, then it may be because you are not getting enough restful sleep. We can help you regain your energy, motivation, and drive simply by addressing and improving the way in which your sleep.

9. More than 100 million Americans fail to get adequate sleep. A variety of sleep disorders affect people of all ages, and these disorders affect patients in a myriad of different ways from depression to heart problems. These causes are very serious and should be prevented as much as possible, let us help!

10. A good night’s sleep is more important than you may realize. Not only does restful sleep help your mood and appearance, it also benefits your heart, weight, and mind. Sleep is a basic necessity of life, as important as food, air, or water.

We hope we have convinced you to try out our sleep research studies if you think you may be suffering from a sleep disorder. In any case, you’re probably more informed now then you were before! Unsure whether you have a sleep disorder, want to improve your sleep and live a healthier life? Book an appointment and give us a visit!

7 Ways Our Sleep Center Can Help Improve Your Daily Life

24 agosto, 2017/in Sleep Medicine

Lack of sleep causes both men and women of all ages problems with concentration, performing daily tasks, mood, and even your general health. You probably already know that sleep is essential for physical and mental health, but did you know that it can also impact things like your weight and memory loss? Our Florida Pulmonary Associates & Sleep Centers can help you tackle difficult sleep disorders that affect your daily life and help you live a happier, healthier life.

Our sleep centers have been providing sleep disorder treatments for over 30 years. We treat a variety of common sleep disorders including chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome and even excessive snoring. We use a variety of treatments to help patients develop a regular night time routine, explore possible treatment options and also support patients as they make lifestyle changes that can drastically improve their sleep health.

If you suffer from lack of sleep every night or you regularly wake up late for work due to tossing and turning all night, it might be time to consider a sleep study. When working to perform daily tasks, if you have trouble concentrating and finishing projects or your moods are erratic and your energy level is consistently low, it’s time. Lack of sleep has started taking its toll on your daily life, but we can help get you back on track.

Below are seven ways our sleep center can change your life for the better.

7 Ways Participating in a Sleep Study Can Improve Your Life:

Better Memory and Concentration

Treatment for your sleep disorder leads to improved memory and concentration. Oftentimes, lack of sleep leads to increased trouble studying, working and performing daily tasks. When you start your treatment, you will start to find it easier to focus on completing tasks and projects, and you’ll realize that you make fewer mistakes. Bonus, better sleep health can also help you feel more creative!

Improved Emotional Wellbeing

Lack of sleep can often lead to feeling irritable and poor judgment when making decisions. You may find yourself getting angry more easily with family and co-workers. Sometimes you may get so upset that you cry over the simplest things. The right sleep therapy can help you improve your emotional stability. This will restore your peace of mind and help you to feel better during the day.

Increased Natural Energy Levels

If you feel like you have to drag yourself through the day drinking copious amounts of coffee and eating sugary, junk food to keep you going – you’re not living your healthiest life. Due to your lack of sleep, it may also be hard to find the inspiration to exercise or even perform your daily tasks and chores. Our sleep studies help us also devise a treatment plan for you that will include diet, exercise and lifestyle changes that lead to increased natural energy levels.

Sleep Study Costs: Does Insurance Pay for Sleep Studies?

4 agosto, 2017/in Sleep Medicine

Polysomnography? Oh gosh, that sounds expensive.

Well really, it is just the fancy word doctors use for a sleep study. Sleep studies are overnight exams that doctors conduct to diagnose sleep disorders. During the study, REM cycles, non-REM cycles, oxygen levels, eye movements, and heart rates are all observed by our sleep specialists who evaluate any issues the patient has during sleep. The most common sleep disorders our doctors find in patients during sleep studies are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy.

So, if sleep studies help answer important questions about a patient’s sleep health and are integral to creating a treatment plan… does insurance cover the sleep studies and if not, how much do the studies cost?

How much does a sleep study cost?

Yes, sleep studies are usually covered by health insurance.

Most sleep disorder centers are just like a regular doctor’s office and accept multiple insurance plans. This can make the entire process of going through a sleep study much easier, though it is always smart to check with your insurance company and plan first to see if they cover sleep study costs. Insurance companies are there to help, so never be afraid to ask questions.

There is no real estimate of how much a sleep study could cost. Some sleep disorder clinics could charge as little as $600 while some charge up to $5,000 a night. Because of the varying prices of studies, the amount of money insurance covers also varies.

When a patient pays their deductible for their insurance can affect how much money they are paying out of pocket as well.

Co-Payments for Sleep Studies

Co-payments are always due at the times of service, however. These co-payments can vary depending on the services being provided and how often they are being provided. These co-payments are not covered by any insurance plans and can be made with cash, check, or credit card.

Other Fees

Other fees that can come up while going through the process of a sleep study are ones that come with further testing. The doctor might want x-rays or labs that some insurance companies might not cover. Once again, it is always smart to check first, so there is no surprise when the bill comes.

The Importance of Sleep

If an insurance company is giving a patient a hard time, most sleep disorder centers will help back up the patient on the importance of the process. Not only does sleep help mental health, but it is also important for a person’s physical health. Sleep deficiency caused by disorders is found to increase heart and kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Sleep studies that pinpoint a patient’s problem can be the first step in the process to prevent these further and more serious issues.

Fees Down the Road

Remember, a sleep study is to figure out what is going wrong with your sleep cycle. Because of this, there could be more fees for treatment, medication or other types of solutions. Sleep Apnea, for example, requires additional sleep studies and tests because of the severity of the problem. Keep this in mind and plan ahead with your insurance company.