Posted on Friday, June 19th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
Researchers in Finland have found a connection between sleep apnea and COVID-19. A disproportionate number of coronavirus patients were admitted to hospitals in Finland who also suffered from obstructive sleep apnea or OSA. This is somewhat expected since the coronavirus is known to affect older people, especially those with pre-existing conditions, more severely than younger people.
The University of Turku and Turku University Hospital researchers in Finland found that reduced oxygen saturation in a patient’s body may be an indicator of whether that patient will need critical care. Twenty-nine percent of the 28 patients studied had a pre-existing condition of sleep apnea when they were admitted to the hospital for coronavirus.
People with sleep apnea often suffer from other health problems, such as heart disease, obesity, older age, and diabetes. The virus naturally affects people with these conditions more than it does otherwise healthy patients, so those with sleep apnea and respiratory diseases are at a higher risk of needing to be hospitalized.
If you are using a CPAP machine, there are a few tips you can follow to better protect your health.
- Move your CPAP machine out of the way of others who might sneeze or cough on it. Because you are using the machine to breathe, any pathogens on the machine are more likely to travel into your respiratory system.
- Sanitize your CPAP machine daily. Thoroughly clean the tubing, mask, and humidifying chamber with warm soapy water. Wash your hands before putting the mask on before sleep.
- Replace the CPAP machine filter as directed in the instructions.
Contact a Sleep Apnea Specialist
Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep and assurance that they are doing everything in their power to maintain their optimal health. If you are worried that your sleep apnea might put you at a higher risk of suffering critically from the coronavirus, the team at Silent Night Therapy is here to help you.
We are currently offering virtual consultations to ensure the safety and comfort of our patients during these difficult times. Additionally, we can send you an at-home sleep study kit to determine whether you have sleep apnea. If you have any questions about our services at Silent Night Therapy, please do not hesitate to call us at (631) 983-2463 or fill out a contact form today.
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