CPAP Continues to Help Sleep Apnea Patients Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Admin

Despite the success of vaccination programs in many areas throughout the world, there have been a series of spikes in cases that have been especially harmful to those with underlying conditions such as sleep apnea. Sleep health specialists have been warning since the COVID-19 pandemic began that sleep apnea and other sleep disordered breathing (SDB) conditions could potentially lead to compromised immune responses, making some individuals more susceptible to COVID-19 illness. At the same time, using CPAP regularly as recommended by a healthcare provider can greatly reduce this risk.

While studies from the initial outbreak confirmed the link between SDB and hospitalizations due to COVID-19, later studies on the use of CPAP determined that prior or immediate use of PAP therapy upon admission to a hospital can potentially save the lives of COVID-19 patients. These findings came at a time when many sleep health specialists were already recommending safe and persistent PAP-therapy treatment during the crisis. Even as the COVID pandemic wanes, this increased attention on sleep and respiratory health should not be forgotten. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reiterates on their website resources, every precaution should be taken, including both vaccinations and proper treatment for underlying conditions. Even if you have received your vaccinations, proper sleep and treatment will continue to keep you safe, both from COVID and from the potential effects of the conditions themselves.

CPAP, Immune Response, and Comorbidity

As a result of studies conducted during the first two years of the pandemic, we know that sleep apnea may increase risks for progressive COVID-19 illness. While this does not ensure that a sleep apnea diagnosis makes you more susceptible to infection, it does show that SDB could be a risk factor in the more progressive cases of COVID-19 illness. More specifically, the studies highlight the effects of SDB, including those of sleep apnea, on the body’s immune system during existing COVID-19 illnesses, making it more difficult to fight off the pathogen once infected.

The issue of COVID-19 illness may be more of a concern for those who have not been vaccinated, but immune responses are also important for any pathogen you come in contact with. It has already been established that consistent use of CPAP aids in the reduction of common sleep apnea comorbidities, which can further limit the body’s ability to fight an infection. And the additional benefits to immune response make it even more critical to continue treatment not only through the end of the pandemic, but also for the remaining years of your life as a sleep apnea patient.

CPAP and Disease Prevention

CPAP devices are readily available, both in ICU wards and in home environments. Due to CPAP’s popularity as an effective treatment for sleep apnea, the devices are in much higher supply than other forms of respiratory support. Most hospitals and clinics are stocked with a plentitude of CPAP devices on hand, and CPAP manufacturing companies like ResMed and Philips Respironics have increased production in response to the pandemic.

As of the date of this publication, over 100 million U.S. adults (roughly one third of the population) have been vaccinated for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 illness, but as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website explains, this effort needs to continue to achieve nation-wide immunity and to end the rapid infection rates that continue to endanger lives throughout the U.S. and abroad. In the meantime, every form of treatment currently available should be used to help those who are sick. And every form of prevention should be employed.

A New Era

Due to these unprecedented challenges among sleep apnea patients and their medical providers, some researchers have described the post-COVID-19 world as a “New Era” in sleep medicine. Citing issues such as sleep health and hygiene difficulties, underlying conditions, safety concerns, and overtaxed medical resources, sleep specialists are emphasizing the need to adapt rapidly to the changes in order to provide the best possible care for patients with SDB. In this context, new developments in areas such as telemedicine and virtual care may play an increasingly important role in the management of patients with SDB, both during the pandemic and after. More remote access to patients, both at home and in clinical environments, can allow more continuous supervision and support.

CPAP manufacturing company Philips Respironics conducted a survey for last year’s World COPD Day, held in November. The results of the survey, though focused primarily on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a type of SDB involving damage to the lungs over time, many respondents cited problems from the coronavirus pandemic as a primary reason for their difficulties in either providing or accessing care. In response to these problems, both patients and providers mentioned virtual care options as a means of working through the current health crisis. When in-person care is less accessible, for example, during periodic spikes in COVID-19 cases, one of the only available options for many services is through telehealth monitoring. This type of monitoring is especially valuable as a follow-up option for patients with chronic conditions, including SDB. According to a press release on the survey results, 55 percent of respondents were willing to use telehealth visits before the pandemic, and now over 60 percent are open to the idea.

Sleep apnea, like COPD, is a condition that affects millions, even without the additional concerns of a COVID-19 pandemic. While further studies are needed to better understand the relationship between viruses like COVID-19, sleep apnea, and other related conditions, it is clear that some additional risks do exist for those already dealing with SDB, particularly for moderate to severe cases, and especially when left untreated. Even as more and more people receive vaccinations to protect them from the coronavirus, the need for proper sleep and regular treatment adherence for sleep apnea continues to be a life-saving choice for millions of Americans.