Jul 09, 2009 | CPAP Mask Sleep Apnea
Rosie O’Donnell and her guest, sleep doctor Michael Breus, discuss the diagnosis and treatment of her sleep apnea. Rosie discusses the process of being diagnosed via a sleep study, and demonstrates how to use her CPAP mask. Dr. Breus explains what obstructive sleep apnea is and how it can affect physical and mental health. He also explains the symptoms of OSA and talks about how women in particular often believe they have insomnia when in fact they have apnea.
Duration : 0:6:57
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Jul 04, 2009 | Continuous Positive Airway Pressure CPAP
I was just wondering if anyone knew whether the IL Fire Department carries this device. A CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device is used to help individuals suffering from congestive heart failure. I couldn’t get an answer from dispatch. Thanks in advance.
Dr. C,
Thanks for the response. My interest concerns their use in emergency situations. I have been reviewing articles (some based on JEMS reports) on the use of CPAP by fire dept paramedics in other states, wherein the use of CPAP is preferred over intubation in emergency cases (due to risk of discomfort/pain by the patient, as well as risk of serious infection).
EDIT: That should read "My interest concerns their use in emergency situations for individuals suffering from heart failure".
My apologies.
No. While CPAP may be used at home or in the hospital, they are not designed to be used in emergency situations. CPAP may be used for a variety of conditions. For heart failure, CPAP is generally used to stabilize the patient while other treatments are performed to avoid intubation. It is usually not a long-term outpatient treatment.