by
Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | January 27, 2015
Trouble breathing is becoming an increasingly profitable problem, according to a report published by Kalorama Information.
Respiratory health worldwide is being challenged by poor air quality, substandard living conditions, and economic development. One result of which is a spike in sleep apnea medical device sales.
The prevalence of sleep apnea is not surprising given its risk factors including age, body weight, diabetes, and smoking, said the report.

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Among U.S. men aged 30 to 60 years old, the prevalence of sleep apnea is estimated at 9-24%, but only 4-9% for U.S. women in the same age group. Sleep apnea prevalence in diabetics is estimated at almost 50%, 77% for obese individuals, and 87% among obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.
All of that trouble breathing, difficulty sleeping, and general fatigue are contributing to the sales margins for sleep apnea systems. The majority of those devices are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems consisting of a flow generator that feeds air into the patient via a hose and mask over the nose.