Suffering from sleepiness as a result of sleep apnea? A recent trial conducted in Hattiesburg, USA, has suggested that the medication Armodanifil, also known as Nuvigil, can help to alleviate this problem.
One of the problems with snoring, sleep apnea or disturbed sleep is that not only is it unpleasant for partners, it can also leave you exhausted during the day. This can make suffering from sleep disorders something of a living hell, and can lead to anxiety and depression.
John Harsh, Phd, of Southern Mississipi, stated that ‘you want to jump in there right away and find the underlying problem or… at least treat the sleepiness so you can improve their functioning, improve their safety, and improve their quality of life.”
This trial seems to have been a success, showing general improvements on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire for the trial group, without much in the way of side-effects.
This is all well and good, and any positive developments in the treatment of sleep disorders are to be encouraged, but it’s my feeling that a lot of people will be a little resistant to simply medicating the results of their bad sleep away. Surely getting good sleep in the first place is more important?
By all means, take medication to alleviate symptoms. It’s always going to be better, however, to get good sleep in the first place. It’s also worth noting that this study was sponsored by the company that makes Armodafinil, and two of the co-authors of the study hold stocks in that company.
The whole issue of corporate-sponsored scientific studies is too big to go into here. One thing that is worth saying, is that what works for you, is what’s best for you. More choice is a good thing, always.
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