'Zzoma' is here to give sleep apnea sufferers relief and rest

Washington, Sept 27 : Sleep apnea sufferers tired of spending sleepless night would soon get relief, courtesy Zzoma, a new device developed by scientists from Temple University School.

People suffering from positional sleep apnea often struggle for breath in bouts throughout the night.

Positional sleep apnea refers to patients who have episodes where they stop breathing when they're on their back, but when they are on their side, the abnormal breathing resolves.

About fifty percent of patients with mild sleep apnea, those who experience anywhere from five to 15 events an hour and 20 percent of people with moderate sleep apnea, with 15 to 30 events an hour have positional sleep apnea.

"They don't make the connection between the fact that they snore loudly at night and they complain about being tired during the day," says Samuel Krachman, D.O. , professor of medicine and director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital.

"They think that they're just tired, not getting enough sleep or just working too hard. But in reality, it's related to the sleep apnea," he added.

Krachman explains how wearing the device, called Zzoma, works to reduce those episodes. The device was created by former Temple Fellow Joseph G. Crocetti.

"Zzoma is a device which is worn around the chest area like a belt, with a device on the back, which is a firm, foam material wrapped in canvas to keep them from moving on their backs.

"Over the last year, we've been studying its use in treating patients with mild to moderate positional sleep apnea," he added.

The study has shown that the Zzoma is less obtrusive and easier to use than the leading alternative, a continuous positive airway pressure machine or CPAP, a mask that blows air on a person's face to keep the airway open.

"Although CPAP is very effective, the best studies have shown it's only used correctly 50 percent of the time," says Krachman. "That leaves many diagnosed with sleep apnea but not treated."

ANI