Researchers have conducted a study on the added benefits of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines for individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). CPAP machines are designed to assist these individuals by delivering air into their upper airway through a connected tube and mask while they sleep.
People with OSA often experience symptoms such as loud snoring, interrupted breathing during sleep, and frequent awakenings throughout the night. These symptoms can lead to fatigue and an increased risk of various health conditions including high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
A team of researchers from the National University Hospital of Iceland in Reykjavik analyzed data from the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort study, involving 822 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA. These patients completed sleep questionnaires before starting CPAP treatment and were reassessed two years later.
The study revealed that individuals who consistently used CPAP machines were approximately 42% less likely to experience heartburn during the night compared to those who used the machines infrequently or not at all.
Moreover, the reduction in reflux among regular CPAP machine users resulted in a more than four-fold decrease in the risk of productive morning cough and an almost four-fold decrease in the risk of chronic bronchitis.
Furthermore, participants who regularly used the machines were also less likely to experience wheezing. The data suggests that this improvement was directly related to the CPAP treatment rather than solely being attributed to the reduction in night-time reflux.
Lead researcher Professor Thorarinn Gislason stated, “Individuals with obstructive sleep apnea are three times more likely to experience frequent night-time heartburn. Respiratory symptoms, including coughing and wheezing, are also more common in these individuals.” He added, “Obstructive sleep apnea is a prevalent condition, and while we have effective ways to diagnose and treat it, many people remain unaware of their condition. Recognizing symptoms such as snoring, frequent awakenings, and daytime tiredness are important indicators of OSA.”
The results of the study have been published in the journal ERJ Open Research.
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