Life Pharmacy Howick
We are located centrally in picturesque Howick in East Auckland. Our pharmacy has been serving the community for nearly 100 years
Sleep Apnoea affects more than 3 in 10 men and nearly 1 in 5 women and what is concerning is that most people don't know they have it.
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea is a condition wherein the soft tissues of the throat relax so much while you are asleep that you may stop breathing,often for more than a minute at a time. You may then briefly awake , often with a gasp before returning to sleep. You are likely to be totally unaware that these brief awakenings are happening and this may happen many times during the night. This restricted air supply reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream which puts stress on your cardiovascular system.
I snore. Do I have OSA?
Not necessarily, snoring is caused by vibration of the soft palate and throat when you inspire air, but this does not mean you have OSA. However very loud snoring is a risk factor for OSA and you should do the questionnaires at the bottom of the page.
What are the Consequences of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA)
The result is a disrupted sleep that doesn't leave you feeling restored or refreshed. Depending on the severity of the condition you may experience fatigue, daytime drowsiness, headaches and other symptoms This may increase the risk of:
Overnight Level 3 Home Sleep Study - $129
If you score more than 8 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and more than 3 (females) or 4 (males) on the Stop Bang questionnaire (STOP) you should book an overnight sleep study. We also highly recommend an overnight sleep study if you are observed gasping for breath at night during sleep. Please carry out the sleep apnoea screening tests online now. http://www.pharmacysleepservices.com.au Don't forget to share your results with us so we can help. (lifepharmacyhowick@xtra.co.nz )
The SomFit Night One Sleep Kit is worn overnight and measures sleeping position, chest exertion, heart rate, oxygen saturation in the blood and air flow. We show you how to fit the testing kit in the pharmacy and then you take the sleep testing unit home to wear at bedtime. The results from your overnight sleep study are downloaded then assessed by Sleep Physician Dr Donald Lee and his team at Nepean Lung and Sleep in Sydney, Australia http://nepeanlungandsleep.com.au/ who will determine if you have obstructive sleep apnoea and grade its severity. We will provide you with a comprehensive report from Dr Lee, with recommendations.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment Trial - $250
Should our sleep physician recommend a trial with a Automatic Positive Airway Treatment machine (APAP) we will provide you with a ResMed machine (complete with humidifier) for a 4 week trial, fully train you on its use, and monitor via the cloud how effective it is, including assessment of mask leakage and reduction of sleep apnoea events. In that period we will assess and provide the most appropriate mask and swap to a different mask if needed at no extra charge during the trial period if that is needed. We will contact you each week to monitor your progress.
What is CPAP vs APAP
CPAP ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ) provides a continuous air pressure, sometimes feeling uncomfortable for some people. However APAP ( Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) varies pressure to suit need, at any particular time, within a predetermined range. APAP is considered to be much more comfortable to use, leading to improved compliance and better overall results. In the sleep apnoea world we often refer to treatment as CPAP, because that is the familiar well known term.
Sleep Apnoea Treatment Equipment and Purchase
We have the ResMed APAP machine and a wide range of masks and accessories available for purchase.
https://bookings.gettimely.com/lifepharmacyhowickvillage/bb/book
We are located centrally in picturesque Howick in East Auckland. Our pharmacy has been serving the community for nearly 100 years
