Flight Socks Treating OSA?

[James @ Intus]

In the news and all over Twitter:

Wearing compression stockings could be an effective and cheap way to help people suffering with a common sleep disorder, scientists say.

Researchers from the University of Brescia in Italy, found that wearing flight socks during the day reduced the symptoms of sleep apnoea among sufferers at night.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2022720/Compression-stockings-sleep-apnea-Wearing-flight-socks-reduce-sleep-disorder-symptoms-just-week.html?ITO=1490

The idea itself isn't as far-fetched as it may seem. The relation between 'rostral fluid' and breathing has been researched for a while.

But whilst the headlines of new OSA cures are always designed to be exciting, when you read the body text, you'll notice that:

- The OSA improvement was confirmed in 6 people only
- The test subject were recruited from a special CVI Clinic.

In other words, it's a very small sample size and these people didn't just have OSA, they were at the clinic because of CVI instead.

So if they can reproduce this in your ordinary OSA sufferer, on a large scale, then it may be time to wear those socks all day long to augment your CPAP, or maybe indeed replace it.

What do you make of this claim?

[silvercarper]

Very interesting!
This means I have OSA because I broke my leg over 4 years ago.

[Tigers Fan]

Yes, well! Such a miniscule population gives rise to room for such significant statistical error that the study is useless.

The article finishes with one of the Testers/Doctors saying, "It would be interesting to see whether ....." and so it would. Good sample size of OSA patients, not CVI patients, de dah.

Pragmatically though, for the price of a pair of stockings, its easy to find if it makes a difference to oneself! (Not recommended for beach wear, though!)

TF

[silvercarper]

To be more precise 3 months after I broke my leg I got a DVT in the same leg. This has left me with CVI in it.
This means I wear support socks most of the time during the day but some days I dont bother.
It will be interesting to see if my AHI increases or sleep quality changes if I have not been wearing my socks during the day.

[James @ Intus]

This means I wear support socks most of the time during the day but some days I dont bother.
It will be interesting to see if my AHI increases or sleep quality changes if I have not been wearing my socks during the day.

Now that would be interesting (though equally on a small scale).

Perhaps we can ship some Intus-logo socks to all you APAP owners and we can do our own trial on this.

It all makes me wonder what the prevalence of leg based daytime fluid retention in OSA patients is.

[jackyk]

think its worth a try. im on my feet at work for approx 8 hours a day
<<<<off to look for my flight socks

[Berneta]

Flight Socks

Wow-- now if wearing socks was all it takes to cure OSA there will be a lot of businesses-- out of business-- unless they start a sock factory. Could become fashionable to wear brightly colored socks on the beach. And I've seen some beach goers who should wear socks right up to their necks. LOL Or at least around their middles. xx Berneta

[Tigers Fan]

Hoping for two birds with one stone

When I take my socks off at night, I find deep grooves around my ankles - fluid retention, I thought, but now realise it is this veinous sluggishness. Then I discovered that DVT stockings come in the form of long socks (still called stockings) as well as thigh length stockings. So I have some on order for delivery next week - calf girth 42cm and length floor to knee 50cm = extra long, large - and we'll see if they inprove daytime circulation and night-time AHI.

WIll I crack the AHI < 1 barrier every night?????

Why Intus logo socks to APAP owners only, may I ask, James? Do we CPAPers not have apnoeas as well?

TF

[Berneta]

TF

I don't know if you'll crack the "1" barrier but I bet you'll be a sight in your thigh high stockings. Got sexy silk shorts to wear with them? LOL. But in all seriousness -- Please let us know how you get on with them? XOX

[silvercarper]

Its no joke putting on Type 3 socks.
Its a struggle to put them on in the morning and bliss to take them off in the evening

[sheffgall]

My friend sent me this link also. She giving me a pair she not used to try it out, it better work or i know i will end up with them around my neck if i keep my partner awake after 2 years of peacefull sleep he been getting wile i been on my machine

[silvercarper]

If you do suffer from fluid retention in your legs ,like I do ,then its important to keep your legs elevated. In other words "put your feet up" when ever you can.
As this article suggests that there could be a link between CVI and OSA then it seems that its even more important to "put your feet up" for a couple of hours or more before going to bed.
As for support stockings or flight socks they must be put on straight after getting up in the morning and only removed when going to bed.

[Tigers Fan]

It's great always having an expert to hand!

And what, pray, Silvercarper, are Type 3 socks? The ones I've ordered are black, knee length (please note, Berneta) and devoid of any Type Number - as far as I know, anyway!

TF

[silvercarper]

Sorry my error.
I should have said "Class 3" not type

[Sparticus]

Stockings!

Did someone say stockings, are we to cross-dress now going to bed and is someone having a laugh:



New OSA cure is released

It seems we are guinipigs for everyone these days, well I will wait untill TF can guarentee me that they work