Treatment for
sleep disorders may well be helped by findings of a recent study carried out by the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Researchers have discovered that patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were more responsive to therapy after taking a short course of the drug eszopiclone.
In a presentation to the American Thoracic Society's International Conference in San Diego that took place yesterday, the scientists found that the benefits were significant but the take-up of the drug was poor among sufferers.
Report author Anita Shah commented: "To date, the only consistently reliable predictor of long-term use has been compliance with CPAP at treatment initiation. Studies suggest that long-term adherence patterns may be established very early in the course of therapy."
Sleep apnea is characterised by pauses in inhalation and exhalation while a person is sleeping.
Snoring is one symptom of OSA but in most cases that individual with the condition is quite unaware they are experiencing disturbed breathing.
