Abstract: An apparatus for use in diagnosing the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a patient includes a sensing module structured to measure a parameter indicative of a tremor in the patient's neck, tongue and/or throat muscles while the patient is awake, the parameter not being airflow through the patient's airway. The sensing module generates one or more electrical signals based on the measured parameter. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensing module, the processor being structured to receive the one or more electrical signals, perform an analysis of the one or more electrical signals, and based on the analysis determine whether the tremor has a frequency in at least one predetermined frequency range that is indicative of OSA.

Abstract: A respiration appliance (10) is configured to entrain the breathing of the subject. The breathing of the subject is entrained to modulate the autonomic nervous system of the subject to decrease sympathetic nerve activity and/or to reduce sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in order to provide relaxation to the subject. The respiration appliance (10) restricts the exhalation of the subject, while permitting substantially unencumbered inhalation, to impact the breathing of the subject in a manner that enhances relaxation.

Abstract: A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising reducing an effective amount of extracellular fluid of a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in diagnosing the presence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a patient includes a sensing module structured to measure a parameter indicative of a tremor in the patient's neck, tongue and/or throat muscles while the patient is awake, the parameter not being airflow through the patient's airway. The sensing module generates one or more electrical signals based on the measured parameter. The apparatus also includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensing module, the processor being structured to receive the one or more electrical signals, perform an analysis of the one or more electrical signals, and based on the analysis determine whether the transducer tremor has a frequency in at least one predetermined frequency range that is indicative of OSA.

Abstract: A method of treating obstructive sleep apnea comprising reducing an effective amount of extracellular fluid of a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for providing integrated paced breathing and inhalation therapy to a patient. Paced breathing includes alternately providing a high and a low airway pressure to a respiratory system of the patient using a breathing circuit, wherein the high airway pressure coincides with inhalation by the patient and the low airway pressure coincides with exhalation by the patient. A therapeutic substance is delivered to the respiratory system of the patient during the provision of high airway pressure to the respiratory system of the patient, wherein delivery of the compound to the respiratory system of the patient is discontinued during provision of low airway pressure to the respiratory system of the patient.

Abstract: A respiration appliance (10) is configured to entrain the breathing of the subject. The breathing of the subject is entrained to modulate the autonomic nervous system of the subject to decrease sympathetic nerve activity and/or to reduce sympathetic/parasympathetic balance in order to provide relaxation to the subject. The respiration appliance (10) restricts the exhalation of the subject, while permitting substantially unencumbered inhalation, to impact the breathing of the subject in a manner that enhances relaxation.