Method and composition for treating sleep apnea

Abstract

Application of synthetic or naturally occurring lung surfactant to the posterior pharyngeal region prior to a period of sleep significantly reduces episodes of sleep disturbance resulting in apnea or hypopnea. The present invention provides lung surfactant in a convenient applicator container for easy use and storage. Incidents of oxygen desaturation are reduced, thereby lowering the risks of apnea-associated pathologies.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating sleep apnea comprising 
 applying a pulmonary alveolar surfactant preparation in a pharmacologically effective dose to the posterior pharyngeal region of a patient prior to a period of sleep.    
     
     
         2 . A method for treating sleep apnea comprising 
 applying a phospholipid-containing surfactant preparation capable of lowering the surface tension of water to about 15-50 mN* −1  in a pharmacologically effective dose to the posterior pharyngeal region of a patient prior to a period of sleep.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said surfactant preparation further includes a protein portion selected from the group consisting of SP-A, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D in pharmacologically effective doses.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said phospholipid is selected from the group consisting of saturated phosphatidylcholine, unsaturated phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, dipalmitoylphosphatidylchloine, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said surfactant preparation further includes neutral lipids.  
     
     
         6 . An article of manufacture for treating sleep apnea comprising 
 an inhaler vessel having a reservoir portion and a nozzle portion, said inhaler vessel being capable of propelling a liquid in an aerosol;    a liquid contained in said vessel having the composition of a phospholipid surfactant; and    a label affixed to said inhaler vessel providing direction for use in treating sleep apnea    whereby when said nozzle portion is aligned to direct said aerosol to provide a coating of the posterior pharyngeal region of a patient.    
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for treating sleep apnea comprising: 
 an inhaler vessel capable of propelling a liquid in an aerosol, said inhaler vessel comprising: 
 a reservoir portion capable of holding a liquid;  
 a nozzle portion capable of being aligned to direct the aerosol toward the posterior pharyngeal region of a patient;  
 a liquid having the composition of a phospholipid surfactant; and  
 a label affixed to said reservoir providing direction for use in treating sleep apnea.