Stop My Snores

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.

Posted October 29, 2008 Comments(0)

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.

Posted October 29, 2008 Comments(0)

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.

Posted October 29, 2008 Comments(0)

Snoring is sometimes as simple to stop as changing the body position to reduce the restrictions in the airways. That is the premise of anti-snoring sleep pillows. They were designed to support and perhaps elongate the neck area of the snoring sleeper, opening the breathing passages. There are many pillows that claim they can stop your snoring, and some also claim to work for mild sleep apnea. This is a review of some of the more popular brands.

Therapeutica Sleeping Pillows

Therapeutica Sleeping
Pillows

Therapeutica Sleeping Pillows were designed to work whether you are normally a back sleeper or a side sleeper. When sleeping on your back, the center cavity gives proper support, while the cervical contour gives your neck the proper natural curve. For the side sleeper, the raised side sections accommodate shoulder height, and the contoured head rests keep your head and neck level.

The pillow is made of a non-allergenic and environmentally friendly foam, and comes with a washable pillow cover. It will fit in a standard pillow case.

While it was developed for other reasons, such as spinal problems, Therapeutica does claim that this pillow will reduce snoring.

Obus Forme Anti-Snore Pillow

Obus Forme
Anti-Snore Pillow

The Obus Forme Anti-Snore Pillow has an elevated panel designed to gently shift the head to the side, and therefore reduce restrictions in the airway. It was designed with the back sleeper in mind.

Reviews are mixed on the Obus Forme Anti-Snore Pillow’s effectiveness and comfort. The dense foam means little give, which some have said was uncomfortable, and others have said is the reason for its effectiveness.

This pillow is made from memory foam, and comes with a pillow cover. It will fit any standard size pillow case.

Snore-No-More® Pillow

Snore-No-More®
Pillow

Designed by a doctor to reduce snoring and promote deep sleep, the Snore-No-More® Pillow is meant for both the side sleeper and the back sleeper. Its design will raise the jaw off of the chest, thereby reducing any restrictions in the airways.

For the side sleeper, the Snore-No-More® Pillow not only keeps the jaw forward, it also keeps the head from rolling and the neck from kinking.

The Snore-No-More® Pillow is made from memory foam, and has also been noted as being fairly uncomfortable, due to its denseness.

Again, this pillow comes with a cover and fits a standard pillow case.

Splintek SleepRight Memory Foam Side Sleeping Pillow

Splintek SleepRight
Memory Foam Side
Sleeping Pillow

The Splintek SleepRight Memory Foam Side Sleeping Pillow was actually designed for proper spinal alignment for the person who typically sleeps on their side, but as a result of the left and right airway system, reduction in snoring has been noted.

The SleepRight Side Sleeping Pillow is also, as the name implies, made from memory foam, so it will conform to each individuals facial and neck features, ensuring the spine is kept in the right position.

This pillow comes in both a three inch and a four inch depth, with the shorter pillow recommended for people less than 5′4″ or shorter. Both sizes will fit in most standard pillow cases and both come with a pillow cover.

Contour Anti-Snore Pillow

Contour Anti-Snore
Pillow

The Contour Anti-Snore Pillow, unlike most of the rest of the pillows in this review, uses air to adjust to the individual snorer.

The Contour pillow is curved to comfortably position the head and neck and improve airway alignment, reducing the most common causes of snoring. A built-in air chamber in the center of this pillow allows adjustable support to help keep you off your back during the night. The air bubble can be inflated to the proper height and comfort levels with the connected tube.

The Contour Anti-Snore Pillow is made with a natural latex foam, comes with a queen size cover, and will fit most queen side pillow cases.

There are many pillows that claim to eliminate or reduce snoring, and some where the snoring reduction is a side affect of the proper positioning of the head and neck. The right pillow for your snoring problem may just be one of the ones I introduced above!

Until next time
Sleep well!

Posted October 26, 2008 Comments(1)

Friday night was my second night in Pinehurst, having a sleep study done to determine if the Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) treatment would help me deal with my sleep apnea.

The sleep study itself was much like the one I had last month, with the exception of no sensors being used to monitor the air flow from my nose (that would be monitored with the CPAP machine itself). The technician brought in five different nose masks and three nose and mouth masks to have me try. I found the most comfortable of the nose masks, as well as a backup, and the most comfortable of the nose and mouth masks. The backup nose mask was in case the initial one proved to be too uncomfortable after I went to bed, and the nose and mouth mask was in case my mouth did not stay shut during my study.

During the fittings, I was accustomed to the positive air pressure from the machine, as well as the feel if my mouth were to open while using the machine. Believe me, it was uncomfortable with my mouth open, since all the air that was going into my nose immediately came out my mouth, leaving me with a gagging feeling and no air to the lungs! As the tech said, it was better to find this out while awake, than to be surprised by the feeling after going to sleep!

So, I went to sleep. It took me a little longer to actually fall asleep with the strange feeling of a mask around my nose, and the increased pressure during breathing, but overall the discomfort was minimal. I never had to go to the backup nose mask or the nose and mouth mask. My mouth stayed closed the entire nite (per the tech, as long as a person is breathing well through the nose, the mouth will typically stay shut).

During the night, the tech adjusted the pressure produced by the CPAP, to find the ultimate pressure that would both stop my snoring, and more importantly, my sleep apnea events. I cannot tell you what the results were, other than it obviously worked. I will find out about the actual results on my next visit with my neurologist. The tech did go as far as to say the CPAP was successful, but that was all he could discuss.

I felt I may have woken more, but that is the conscious waking, not the awakening events caused by sleep apnea, which in my case had averaged almost once a minute without the CPAP. I did awaken more refreshed than I can remember previously, so I have high confidence in success.

I will update you on this as soon as I have more information, but until then, sleep well

Posted October 20, 2008 Comments(1)

The modern practice of traditional Chinese medicine combines many thousands of years of Chinese medical practice which includes using Chinese medicine to cure insomnia naturally. The term ‘traditional Chinese medicine’ is a quite modern term that was first coined by the People’s Republic of China during the 1950s when that country was attempting to build a substantial export trade for its time honored medicines and practices.

Nowadays, traditional Chinese medicine does not merely cover medicinal products, but also covers things like herbal preparations and several practices including acupuncture and massage. The basis of Chinese medicine is that the body works because of various interconnected processes that are in constant interaction with the environment around us. While these processes stay in balance you are healthy however, if these processes are not running alongside one another smoothly, then your health will suffer.

There are a number of different philosophies which govern Chinese medicine including such things as the theory of Yin-Yang which examines the role of the five elements (earth, water, fire, metal and wood), energy flow through the meridians of the body and the relationships between the body’s organs which are outlined in the theory of Zang-Fu.

For some considerable time there has been considerable conflict between those people who believe in traditional Chinese medical practices and those who believe in the science-based practice of Western medicine. Now however traditional Chinese medicine, as well as other forms of Oriental and Asian medicine, is increasingly being accepted in the West and we usually refer to such practices as alternative medicine.

For the many millions of sufferers herbal remedies have long proved to be effective in curing insomnia, or in relieving the symptoms of insomnia, and such things as lavender, chamomile, lemon balm and passion flower are well known for their medicinal properties. There cannot be many insomnia sufferers who have not had a drink of hot honey and lemon at bedtime.

An increasing number of people are also making use of acupuncture or, for people who do not fancy the idea of needles, acupressure. Both of these arts have been practiced for centuries and were born out of the Chinese practice of adjusting the energy in the body by controlling its flow along the meridian lines of the body.

Despite its growing acceptance there are still many people who are suspicious of Chinese medicine. But anyone who has first-hand experience of it in action, especially those people who have been lucky enough as I have to live in the Far East, will certainly vouch for its effectiveness.

If you suffer from insomnia then Chinese medicine is one route which you should consider seriously and a good place to start is with a simple insomnia herbal remedy.

Posted October 13, 2008 Comments(0)