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Infrared Cameras Discover Sleep Apnea Problem

There may be a new hope for sufferers of sleep apnea. Instead of also suffering from 20 or so electrodes strapped to your face and body and then being told to sleep to find out the problem, what if you could just use a camera?
An experimental infrared imaging camera has been developed in the hopes of finding breathing problems in patients with sleep apnea. Most patients end up testing while sleeping on their backs, which can make the apnea worse. The good that could come from an infrared light is that the patient can sleep normally to aid in getting an accurate result. The light would only replace a few of the electrodes, but even a few would help make the experience more comfortable for the sleep apnea sufferer.
Sleep apnea occurs when excess tissue at the back of the throat collapses on the airway, obstructing breathing and causing the sufferer to literally stop breathing multiple times per night, leaving the sufferer sleepy the next morning because the sleep quality wasn’t at its best.
When tested, the camera was able to detect breathing problems just as well as two other methods are able to. While the method is still experimental, it shows promise.
This article contains information the article “Infrared cameras show promise as sleep apnea tool” by Julie Steenhuysen, which can be found on Reuters.com at the following web address: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSN2330880920071023