The inability to breathe properly can have a detrimental effect on people’s health, and the Maltese population is not immune to the respiratory effects of pollution, obesity, genetics or, even, long-COVID. This knowledge lies at the heart of the offering provided by Sidroc Services, a small, family-run enterprise which boasts solutions – such as lung training, oxygen therapy, and the management of sleep apnoea – which can make all the difference to someone’s life, whether they are suffering from a chronic condition or simply wanting to improve their lung capacity with the goal of increasing their stamina.
Indeed, with regards to the latter, the firm provides Inspiratory Muscle Trainers (IMT), a form of resistance weight training which strengthens the breathing muscles used to breathe.
“When these muscles are strengthened regularly for a period of only a few weeks they adapt, becoming stronger and are able to work for longer,” the company’s director, and CEO, George Bonello explains. Additionally, though this type of lung training, clients “are able to exercise more without getting so breathless.” These products are not only used by those who are sick, but also for athletes, those suffering from post-COVID symptoms, and even people who play wind instruments, would benefit from strengthening their lung capacity.
In order to gather information on a patient’s inhalation volume, Sidroc also boasts an instrument known as an incentive spirometer, which provides visual feedback on their inspiratory effort, and has been shown to maintain or increase inhaled lung volume, prevent lung infection following surgery, and improve sputum expectoration. “The incentive spirometer can be used in rehabilitation as a favourable tool, as it is inexpensive and easy to manage with no known side effects,” Mr Bonello explains further. “It is simple to train and does not require assistance once a patient has learned how to use it properly. Furthermore, the visual feedback encourages patient compliance.”
Moreover, the company also provides products such as nebulisers, spacers and peak flow meters to aid those seeking to manage their asthma. Oxygen therapy is catered for through the provision of stationary or portable oxygen concentrators as well as liquid oxygen in the case of the need for high flow oxygen. “Oxygen therapy is carried out as per a physician’s prescription,” Mr Bonello underscores, saying that the patient is “shown and taught how to take care of and use the equipment, as well as to use oxygen as prescribed and how to check their oxygen levels with the use of pulse oximeters.”
The firm also caters to those suffering from sleep apnoea, a potentially serious condition in which the airway collapses and obstructs the flow of air to the lungs during sleep. “Unless this is treated well, there is an increased risk of a heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure, an irregular heartbeat or arrythmias, stroke and also Type 2 diabetes,” Mr Bonello explains.
To help diagnose sleep apnoea, Sidroc offers a sleep study, called the polysomnography test, in which the quality of a patient’s sleep is tested from the comfort of their own home. Treatment is also available in the form of an automatic CPAP machine – which monitors and alters airflow pressure during the night to ensure consistency – and a BiPap, which offers ventilation support through a face mask.
“To accompany this, a full range of face interfaces are there to suit different facial characteristics as well as clients’ likes, dislikes and phobias. The use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the recommended treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea, which will prevent the upper airway from collapsing during sleep by providing a flow of air through the nose or mouth using a facial interface (mask),” Mr Bonello insists.
To find out more of Sidroc’s offering, and book a consultation, visit https://sidroc.com/
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