Philips Respironics has issued a recall for certain PAP devices including DreamStation PAP devices manufactured before April 26, 2021.  The newer DreamStation 2 is not affected. The recall relates to the type of foam used to reduce the noise made by the devices. Over time, the foam inside the machine may degrade into particles. These particles can enter the humidifier, tubing and mask and patients may inhale the particles when using the device. Philips reports that the potential risks include headache, skin or eye irritation and asthma.  Philips also found that the foam can produce u ..read more

What have you heard about sleep apnea? Misconceptions about sleep apnea can be dangerous if it stops individuals from seeking treatment. It’s time to tackle these most common myths and promote healthy sleep! MYTH: If you snore, you probably have sleep apnea. TRUTH: This is one of the biggest misconceptions about sleep apnea. While snoring is often a symptom of sleep apnea, it’s not guaranteed. In fact, 40 percent1 of adults snore and 26 percent of adults have sleep apnea. Snoring occurs when the tissues vibrate in the throat. However, it can be caused by congestion, nasal structure, alcohol or ..read more

Hypersomnia is a serious sleep condition that, if left untreated, may contribute to poor physical and mental health. Fortunately, it is diagnosable and treatable. It’s important to note that although hypersomnia and sleep apnea may overlap with certain characteristics, they are not the same. Here’s everything you need to know about the relation between the two sleep disorders. Hypersomnia Idiopathic hypersomnia is a sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness during the day, even when you think you have gotten plenty of sleep. It makes it incredibly difficult to get up after sleeping and t ..read more

Jonathan Sherrill, left and Dr. Said Mostafavi lead quality efforts at Advanced Sleep Medicine Services. Both are CSS board members. How can sleep centers help improve patient safety during the current crisis? Jonathan Sherrill has answers. Jonathan, who is the General Manager and Technical Director for Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, presented on patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic at the California Sleep Society’s COVID-19 Town Hall Webinar May 29, 2020. We’re fortunate to have Jonathan and our Chief Medical Officer, Said Mostafavi, MD, leading our quality and patient safety effo ..read more

Making sure you have the right CPAP machine is essential to treatment compliance and overall sleep quality. With there being over 22 million people in need of a CPAP device, there are many different choices available depending on personal preference and comfort. In order to make the right decision for yourself, it helps to know what all is available. Make a choice that you can sleep well with by reviewing our top CPAP machines.  CPAP Machines APAP APAP stands for automatic positive airway pressure. They accommodate breathing throughout the night, so the minimal amount of pressure is alway ..read more

Sleep apnea is not only frustrating to experience, but it also negatively impacts your physical and mental health. It’s a very serious condition, so if you find yourself experiencing any of the signs of sleep apnea, it’s important to get it checked out by a healthcare professional and begin treatment.  It has been estimated that 1 in 12 persons have obstructive sleep apnea. It’s very common but often goes undiagnosed and untreated. These symptoms can be mistaken or written off as a situational event such as workday stress, poor eating habits or an uncomfortable sleeping environment. While ..read more

You may have heard the term “REM” sleep. REM stands for rapid eye movement. During REM sleep, your eyes move quickly in different directions. That doesn’t happen during non-REM sleep. It’s a commonly used phrase but what many may not realize is the impact that it has on sleep quality. Whether or not it’s attained in a sleep cycle is imperative to a person’s overall health. Here’s what you should know about the type of sleep you may or may not be getting.  The Stages of Sleep Stage 1: This is the first and lightest stage of sleep. It is non-REM. You might enter this stage as you nod off wh ..read more

February is Heart Health Month, so it’s time to learn about how getting quality sleep is one of the best things you can do for your heart.  Sleep and Your Heart The Basics Each night, an adult should be getting an average of seven to nine hours of sleep. This amount increases as age decreases. Some people think that they are fine if they only get a few hours of sleep each night, but the research shows this is not the case. Throughout life, one may experience changes such as pregnancy or sleep deprivation that makes it more difficult to get a good night’s rest. Yet, the body still needs th ..read more

When it comes to sleep, being a male or female is not the same, or equal. There are a lot of expectations about sleep and even more about the amount that women and men need versus how much they get. In order to get quality sleep, it’s important to understand what hindrances or advantages men and women have.  How Sleep Occurs Out of the many differences between men and women’s sleep patterns, the most basic difference is their circadian rhythms1. Circadian rhythms are “are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an ..read more

Dreams may not be so sweet if they are impacting your quality of sleep. We all dream each night, whether the dreams are remembered or not. Many Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. It’s important to have an understanding of ideal sleep and how our sleeping patterns may impact overall health and wellness.  How Dreams Work Everyone dreams anywhere from 3 to 6 times each night. Dreaming is normal and a healthy part of sleeping. Dreams are a series of images, stories, emotions and feelings that occur throughout the stages of sleep. The dreams that you remember happen during the REM cycle ..read more