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Obesity
is the single biggest risk factor for obstructive
sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). It is defined as having a
body mass index (BMI) of 30
or greater. It is now estimated that 22.3% of the population
ages 20 to 80+ is considered obese. Approximately two thirds
of patients with OSAS are obese.
Weight loss is associated with clinical improvement in OSAS
as measured by a decrease in respiratory
disturbance index (RDI). In fact weight loss can be curative.
However, the relationship between weight loss and decreased
RDI is not linear. Small amounts of weight loss may have a
significant impact on RDI.
Morbid obesity is a serious chronic disease process that is
defined as being 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight
or having a BMI of 40 or greater. Patients with this level
of obesity are at particular risk for developing the serious
complications of obesity such as hypertension, cardiovascular
disease, and diabetes.
Across the nation, bariatric surgical centers are now specializing
in advanced surgical treatments for morbidly obese patients.
These surgeries alter the digestive tract in one of a number
of ways so as to promote weight loss. Sleep Data has been
performing sleep studies for bariatric surgical centers since
1995 and has more experience providing home sleep studies
for bariatric surgery patients than any other organization.
Our sleep study protocols are used by several bariatric centers
nationwide. Sleep Data can provide testing for patients anywhere
in the country in a matter of days. You will be able to have
the testing performed in the comfort and privacy of your own
home. There will be no technicians watching you sleep. You
will be able to perform the entire study on your own with
the assistance of the materials included with the recorder.
Sleep Data is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions.
The sleep recorder is delivered to and picked up from your
home or office and all of the shipping paperwork is already
completed for you. How Will I
Perform the Sleep Study?
Here are some actual comments from bariatric surgical patients
across the nation.
"I felt very comfortable performing
the test in my home. I would not have been able to sleep somewhere
else." Bariatric surgical patient, Anchorage,
AK
"This was the best medical experience
I've had in my 56 years!"
Bariatric surgical patient, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Most medical insurers and health plans cover sleep apnea studies.
The diagnosis of OSAS represents a severe complication of
obesity and therefore, can aid in expediting insurance authorization
for bariatric surgery.
The accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of sleep apnea
may help to reduce possible operative complications that bariatric
patients may encounter. Furthermore, the presence of sleep
apnea impacts on decision making during anesthesia and postoperative
patient management. Studies have shown that morbidly obese
patients with breathing difficulties have a higher surgical
complication rate than those without.
Most importantly, if you are diagnosed and treated for sleep
apnea, you can begin leading a healthier life immediately
and may see dramatic improvement in your overall well-being.
"The medical community is understanding,
more and more, the significance of sleep apnea. It poses a
major health risk. Home based sleep studies have assisted
us in obtaining insurance authorization".
Alan Wittgrove, M.D. Bariatric Surgeon
"For patients suspected of having
obstructive airflow, a preoperative sleep study can provide
objective documentation of the clinical need for weight reduction
surgery. These studies also represent a baseline for measuring
post-surgical improvement." Leslie Jester,
CRNP, Bariatric Nurse Practitioner
Sleep Data has been working very closely with Doctors Clark
and Wittgrove of the Alvarado
Center for Surgical Weight Control for several years.
Sleep Data participated in a study of forty-five of their
bariatric patients. Home based studies were performed pre-surgery
and at least three months post-surgery. We found that sleep
apnea was completely resolved or was dramatically improved
following
weight reduction surgery .
Learn more about obstructive sleep
apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Learn more
about obesity.
Learn more about
bariatric physicians.
Learn more about
bariatric surgery.
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