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My First Night Using a CPAP

November 19th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Yesterday, I got my CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure) machine from a local medical supply store. While I had underwent a sleep study to determine proper fit and pressure that would be best for me, this store still made sure that the mask fit properly, and that I could deal with the pressure buildup rate that was set.

My prescription was for 15 cmwg (centimeters water gauge), relatively high in the normal band of 2 to 20 cmwg. My CPAP is adjustable, in five minute increments, for how long it takes to build up to the final pressure. I did well with the five minute buildup time, so will probably keep that setting.

Last night, I used the CPAP for the first time at home. My Dalmatian intiially freaked at the sight of me with that strange mask on, but she quickly got used to it, and settled into her normal spot on the bed.

Since I had used the CPAP at my sleep study last month, I felt fairly confident that I would not have problems last night. However, I was mistaken. In the first three hours, I woke up almost on the hour, feeling the pressure against my lips, and being aware that I dare not open my mouth with all that pressure inside. So, after 3 hours, I turned the machine off, and continued my nights sleep without it.

This reaction is not to be unexpected. The man who fit me for the machine told me that it may take a few nights to get comfortable with it, but to keep trying. So, I will start out again tonight using the CPAP, and go from there. I will update this in about a week to let you know if I ever got used to it or not.

Until next time,

Sleep well

Sleep Apnea Is Both An Extremely Widespread and Occasionally Dangerous Sleeping Disorder

November 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Sleep apnea is perhaps the commonest sleep disorder and affects almost 18,000,000 Americans. A sleeping disorder that is characterized by interrupted breathing while sleeping, it is also undoubtedly the most dangerous of all sleeping disorders because it starves the brain of vital oxygen and can occasionally prove to be fatal.

There are two completely distinct types of sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea is in effect a neurological condition where breathing is interrupted as a result of signals sent out by the brain. Obstructive sleep apnea by contrast is in essence a mechanical problem where the windpipe is blocked either by too much tissue or as a result of the unusual collapse or relaxation of the muscles around the windpipe. In both cases however the results are basically identical with numerous interruptions to normal breathing which starve the brain of oxygen and place the sufferer at greater risk from such things as hypertension, heart attack and stroke.

Unluckily, diagnosing sleep apnea can prove to be difficult as snoring, which is a common symptom and frequently results in sleep apnea being referred to as the snoring disease, is also commonly seen as a symptom of numerous medical problems. Snoring is certainly generally present with sleep apnea as the brain responds to a drop in oxygen by waking the sufferer enough to restart the breathing process and this often leads to snoring.

This repeated awakening during the night also produces a very poor quality of sleep and it is not at all uncommon for sleep apnea sufferers to get up in the morning feeling more tired than when they went to bed. This also results in feelings of sheer exhaustion during the day and a tremendous wish to sleep.

But, tiredness resulting from poor quality sleep is only part of the problem and a range of other symptoms will almost certainly be seen including morning headaches, a lack of memory and a difficulty in concentrating.

Without treatment the increasing exhaustion from sleep apnea can produce serious psychological problems beginning with simple touchiness and progressing to depression with noticeable changes in both behavior and mood.

Both obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea are treatable and, as long as the problem is diagnosed early enough, this treatment is often quite easy. For example, a mild case of obstructive sleep apnea arising out of nasal congestion can normally be treated with nothing more than decongestants. Likewise, many cases of sleep apnea which are not particularly serious may be treated using a mask which is worn while sleeping and that provides air at a constant pressure to keep the airway open. Finally, in the most serious cases of sleep apnea surgery may be required and can be very effective, though it could also result in various complications and has to be approached with care.

Perhaps the most important thing to remember with sleep apnea is that as it carries with it the potentially fatal risk of respiratory failure sufferers should not be tempted to take sleeping pills or to use other forms of sleep enhancers without the approval of a doctor.

Natural sleep remedies without question provide an effective complement to medically prescribed treatments and herbs that are designed to improve the duration and quality of sleep may well be of assistance in the management of the excessive daytime sleepiness usually accompanying sleep apnea. Also, things like aromatherapy, chromatherapy and guided relaxation and meditation can help in reducing the insomnia and anxiety which accompany sleep apnea.

Weight Gain and Snoring Often Go Hand in Hand

November 11th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Of all the problems that one needs to consider when thinking about those pounds that seem to keep creeping on year after year, the connection between weight gain and snoring is just one more than cannot be denied. But why would a few extra pounds cause a person to snore? What is it about added pounds that can mean a connection between weight gain and snoring?

There are a few things to consider here. One is that when a person is overweight they usually have excess body fat around the throat and neck even if they're not aware of it. You don’t need a neck the size of your leg to have too much fat in this area! This connection between weight gain and snoring happens when that added weight closes or collapses the airways in the throat which can cause not only snoring but other sounds such as gasping, wheezing, choking, snorting, and noises that we usually call snoring even though technically they’re not. This is probably the most common connection between weight gain and snoring and is not always easily fixed. You can use a body pillow to put behind you and prop yourself up so that you sleep on your side; this keeps those airways more open than if you sleep on your back. Some have also found it helpful to put something under the feet of their bed so that they’re slightly elevated at their own feet; this keeps the mouth from dropping open and forces a person to keep breathing through their nose. While this isn’t always a permanent solution to the problem of weight gain and snoring it can help someone that always sleeps on their back.

The other common connection between weight gain and snoring has to do with the damage that one does to their respiratory system overall with added weight. The body is simply not meant to carry a lot of additional pounds and this body fat can collect around the area of the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, making breathing of any type that much more difficult. It’s not unusual for those that are seriously overweight to have asthma and other respiratory problems. This could be one of the most dangerous connections between weight gain and snoring as being unable to breathe freely can mean damage to every cell in the body if left unchecked.

Children and Their Sleep Apnea Symptoms

October 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Sleep apnea does not always affect adults. It can be a problem for children as well but it can be difficult to diagnose. Here are some of the symptoms of sleep apnea to look out for in children:

Children younger than 5 years old might have sleep apnea if you notice them snoring, sweating, waking up more than normal, breathing through the mouth, and general restlessness. It is difficult to tell whether they have it just by looking at them and of course you can’t ask them what the problem is. If you suspect that something is wrong, you should always consult your doctor first with a small child.

Children older than 5 years might have symptoms that include snoring, not growing at the normal rate, bed wetting, and a short attention span. It is difficult to correctly diagnose sleep alpnea from these symptoms alone but you can ask the child whether they are sleeping well and if they have any problems. Of course, even if they do have sleep apnea, they might think that it is normal and not know that the troubles they are having are not normal.

Snoring is the common symptom in almost all children of any age. Sleep apnea makes it difficult to sleep and deprives both children and adults of precious sleep time. It is usually harder to tell in children than in adults that they are sleep deprived because children naturally have so much energy. Children also have more difficulty expressing themselves and telling you that something is wrong. They might also be emvarrassed to talk about it as well.

If your child shows some of the symptoms of sleep apnea or if you are just suspicious that something may not be right, it is always advisable to go to your doctor. Getting sleep apnea help from your doctor and taking preventative measures is the best course of action. Your doctor can do his own evaluation and is better able to tell you exactly what you should be looking for in your child to determine whether your child has sleep apnea.

Try a Different Snoring Sleep Position!

October 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

 

When considering a good snoring sleep position, keep in mind that there are positions you can sleep in that help you stop snoring and those that actually encourage even more snoring! While we can’t always help the way our bodies toss and turn at night during sleep, there are some things we can do when it comes to our bed and our pillows that will encourage a good snoring sleep position, that is, one that cuts down on incidents of snoring.

People are supposed to breathe through their nose at all times; the nose has natural filters that treat this air we take in. Breathing through the mouth is unnatural and during sleep, it makes one snore. This can clue you in on the basics of a good snoring sleep position - you want to be able to keep your mouth closed during sleep. Snoring occurs when the air we breathe travels over the back of the throat and mouth causing the tissue there to vibrate excessively. Sleeping on your side is a good snoring sleep position as the mouth is less likely to drop open. If you don’t sleep on your side naturally you might want to consider a body pillow that you can either clutch to your front or can prop up behind you to keep you on your side. Some people recommend putting a tennis ball or other object in the back of your pajamas to force you into a snoring sleep position but this is usually very uncomfortable and wakes you up during the night, which defeats the purpose of avoiding snoring! Pillows are much more comfortable and usually just as effective.

You can also purchase an actual snore pillow to keep you in a good snoring sleep position. These pillows are made of firm foam and have a scoop shape in the sides which cushion and cradle your head and neck. They keep your head from falling back and your mouth from falling open even when you’re sleeping on your back. These pillows usually offer quite a bit of relief for most when it comes to snoring and are well worth the few dollars they cost. After all, you can’t always force yourself into a snoring sleep position when you’re asleep, so getting a nice pillow or bunch of pillows and propping yourself up can be the way to go.

The Importance of Melatonin Levels to Finding the Best Natural Sleep Aid

October 29th, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Choosing the right natural sleep aid is critical to anyone who is suffering from insomnia or simply having trouble getting to sleep. Finding the right natural sleep aid can also help make sure a person also gets the right type of sleep needed at the correct time of day.

Sleep is critical to human survival and people suffering from lack of sleep may end up with several problems/symptoms that are listed below;-

-Aching muscles

-Blurred vision

-Cardiovascular disease

-Dizziness

-Hand tremors

-Clinical depression

-Daytime drowsiness and naps

-Decreased mental activity and concentration

-Depersonalization

-Weakened immune system

-Headaches

-General confusion

These are the most common symptoms from lack of sleep and there are many serious more serious predicaments that can befall someone who isn’t properly rested or fall into what is commonly called “sleep debt”. It is now known that a large amount of sleep debt has only increased with the industrialisation of the West. In one drastic realization shift work particular night shift work was in December 2007 listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “probable” cause of cancer.

It is critical then to find the right natural sleep aid. The most important component in most natural remedies for insomnia is melatonin that is a compund found naturally in all living things from algae to humans and whose levels vary in lifes daily cycle. Melatonin is a natural compound produced by the body to convey message that it is night and the body needs to rest. Melatonin is vital to producing a sleep effect on the brain. The reult of a lack of melatonin in the body is that a persons body cannot tell the difference between night and day and therefore can have trouble falling asleep. The perfect way to help strengthen the bodies own biological clock and restore the natural sleep cycle is to use a supplement containing melatonin.

This is the critical bit as I have stated most herbal sleeping aids contain melatonin. The problem is that most of these natural sleep aids contain three to ten times the amount of melatonin that is actually needed.

The levels of melatonin are critical to the success of any natural sleep aid. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) undertook clinical trials which concluded large doses of melatonin proved counter productive and can actually hinder getting the right type of sleep and at the correct time.

In the United States since 1993 melatonin has been used in supplements and has been widley accepted and met with good consumer confidence and ethusiasm. Melatonin has also been found to be a wonderful ant-oxidant (gets rid of harmful free radicals within the body) and also to help stimulate the immune system.

Melatonin is a found in the body naturally so adding a supplement that contains tis compound is only going to boost the bodies natual levels and will benefit the person who chooses to take the suppplement. It has no side-effects as long as the person is aware of the melatonin levels in the supplement and is not over dosing.

In conclusion it is known that many people suffer not only from a lot of a lack of sleep but the wrong type of sleep leading to many feeling physically and mentally fatigued on a daily basis. Here I have listed some finding from 2007 survey of the National Sleep Foundation:-

-Approximately 74% of all Americans do no get enough sleep overnight

-53% of adults say they struggle sleeping at least a small number of nights each week

-Almost 33% has trouble sleeping every night

-Those with sleep problems ate twice as likely to feel stressed and tired.

The choice to take a natural sleep aid can result in the person reclaiming the night
and get the right type of sleep at the correct time therefore feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. The key is to just remember to check the melatonin levels.

There are many natural sleep aids on the market that contain melatonin but the melatrol review which offers independent advice on sleep, circadian rhythms and the bodies’ natural cycle reviews Melatrol which critically has the right amount of melatonin in it to gain a good nights sleep.

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Credits: Work From Home | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund