Sleep Apnea Articles

Sleep Apnea Mask Solutions To Improve Sleep Apnea Therapy

How can a sleep apnea mask help improve sleep apnea therapy? What is the secret to a successful sleep apnea therapy? Patience, discipline and a very comfortable sleep apnea mask. Uncomfortable sleep apnea masks can make a person give up on sleep apnea therapy. When this happens, they are subjected to the nightly dangers of an apnea attack. Continuous positive airway pressure (cpap) therapy is often a nightly challenge for a sleep apnea sufferer. Although cpap therapy has been proven to be 100% effective, discomfort is the main problem. However, these sleep apnea mask discomforts have solutions.

Dilemma #1 – Sleep apnea mask discomfort due to incorrect size

If your sleep apnea mask feels uncomfortable, the size and fit might be the problem.

A sleep apnea mask comes in sizes small, medium, large and extra large. One rule when it comes to buying sleep apnea mask is: when in doubt, choose the smaller size. A smaller sized mask is the safer choice to ensure that the fit would be snug. This is important to prevent leaks. However, sometimes, even a smaller size just won’t fit. The problem might be that the contour of your face really doesn’t fit the mask.

Solution: If your current sleep apnea mask is really uncomfortable, then prepare your wallet. You might need to purchase a new one. But this time, you have to be smarter when buying a new sleep apnea mask. If you are claustrophobic and your current mask is making you feel uncomfortable, try a new design. You can opt for a nasal mask or a nasal pillow.

If you have been prescribed with a high cpap pressure, then nasal pillows are not recommended. If you want to stick to the standard full face mask, be aware of your face structure. Measure the length of your nose and mouth. Be sure that you get the correct size this time. Try on several designs and sizes. It would be best to consult with your doctor for alternative options. If everything still doesn’t work out, you can try customized sleep apnea masks. This sleep apnea mask is custom-made and molded specifically to the shape of your face. Prepare to pay more but it just might be worth it. In fact, anything that would help you maintain cpap therapy is always worth it.

Dilemma #2 – Pressure sores, skin irritation and skin redness

Leaks, ill fitting masks and dirty masks can all lead to sores, irritation and redness. When the air leaks it dries the skin causing it to get sores. The tendency of most users when leaks occur is to tighten the sleep apnea mask. Tightening the mask can lead to pressure sores and skin redness. A mask that is not regularly cleaned can lead to irritation and infection.

Solution:

A sleep apnea mask can easily breed gems and bacteria. That’s why it is very important to wash it daily and thoroughly clean it once a week. You can use warm water to rinse it daily. For your once a week thorough cleaning, don’t use harsh chemicals to clean it. Do not use alcohol based product. There are special cleaning solutions for sleep apnea masks available in the market. You can also use a very mild liquid soap and warm water. Let it air dry in a very clean area. You can also try getting a sleep apnea pillow. It effectively prevents leaks by keeping your mask in place even if you change sleeping position.

Dilemma#3 – Nasal congestion and dry mouth when using a sleep apnea mask

Dry mouth and stuffy nose are common to sleep apnea patients during treatment. Mouth breathers usually wake up with a dry mouth. Air tends to escape when they unconsciously open their mouth while sleeping. This reduces the success rate of your sleep apnea treatment. The correct air pressure is not being received by your airway reducing effectiveness of the treatment.

Solution: A humidifier can help lessen dryness and prevent nosebleeds. For nasal congestion, you can take a decongestant tablet an hour prior to sleeping. A saline nasal spray can also help to unclog nasal stuffiness. A chin strap is recommended for mouth breathers to prevent them from opening their mouths while asleep.

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Sleep Apnea Testing

by marsmet522

Article by T. Houser

Sleep apnea (apnea from Greek for “without breath”), a chronic sleep disorder involving cessation of breathing during sleeps, can be difficult to diagnose. The sufferer is rarely aware of the breathless episodes, and the daytime symptoms are drowsiness, morning headache, dry mouth and raw throat. The most recognizable symptom, usually noticed by family or friends, is loud and excessive snoring. To diagnose sleep apnea, though, requires sleep apnea testing.

Sleep apnea testing is most often performed by polysomnography (PSG), which monitors heart rate, state of sleep, levels of oxygen in the blood, any difficulty in breathing, eye movement and muscle activity. PSG can be performed at home with the help of a special monitor, and a sleep technologist to hook up the machine, but the optimal method is for PSG in a sleep lab.

Sleep apnea testing in a lab consists of monitoring the patient during sleep, and is usually done overnight. The patient performs normal bedtime habits, teeth brushing, gets into pajamas, etc., and is then hooked up to the machines that will measure activities during the night. The set up requires several minutes and includes the following:

A. Surface electrodes: Placed on the skin and scalp to record the electrical energy present during muscle or brain activity.

B. Electroencephalogram, EEG: A major part of the sleep apnea testing, measuring and recording four types of brain activity: alpha, beta, delta and theta waves. Each type of brain wave is associated with a different stage of sleep.

C. Electromyogram, EMG: Records muscle activity including facial tics, grinding of teeth, and leg movements. EMG also helps recognize REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, important in diagnosing sleep apnea.

D. Electro-oculogram, EOG: Records eye movements important in recognizing stages of sleep, especially REM.

E. Electrocardiogram, EKG: Tracks and records heart rate and rhythm.

F. Nasal Airflow Sensor: Records breath temperature, airflow, apnea and hypopnea (abnormally slow or shallow breathing).

G. Oximeter: Monitors oxygen levels in the blood.

H. Video: To visually track the movements and positions of the body.

I. Snore Microphone: Records snoring, a major symptom of sleep apnea.

Once the monitors are all hooked up, the patient goes to sleep, on his/her own timetable. How long it takes a patient to fall asleep is also an important part of the sleep apnea testing.

Sleep is a complex activity, so sleep apnea testing must monitor everything related to sleeping, especially the transitions and changes that occur. During sleep the body cycles between NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM sleep every 90 minutes or so. Heart rate, eye movement, muscle and brain activity, etc., change as well. Sleep apnea testing helps to detect abnormal changes that take place during these transitions. Sleep apnea is generally worse during REM sleep, so watching the patient for abnormalities while in REM is particularly important.

Once the sleep apnea testing is complete, the sleep specialist reads the data, and if sleep apnea exists, works with the patient and the patient’s physician to plan an appropriate treatment.

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Treating Sleep Apnea can Control Weight Gain

Article by Dr Michael Cohen

Nearly 900,000 Australians suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Most often, this disorder occurs when the upper airway musculature collapses, which restricts airflow. Other times, the brain fails to send the message to the muscles to breathe. In either case, the result is fragmented sleep. The most common symptom is excessive snoring. Left untreated, OSA can lead to a host of health problems, such as elevated blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, impotence, depression, fatigue, and weight gain.This issue of weight gain is particularly interesting because obesity is one of the factors that can also lead to the onset of OSA. Because excess weight can trigger sleep apnea, a physician often prescribes diet and exercise to the OSA patient; however, the condition itself restricts that patient’s ability to lowlight. A 2010 study of 35,000 employees of a Japanese electric power company showed that those who slept five hours or less per night were twice as likely to gain weight as those who slept seven to eight hours.Case Western Reserve University in the United States conducted a 16-year study of the relationship between sleep deprivation and weight gain. Published in 2006, the results showed that over the course of the research, women who slept less than five hours a night were 32 percent more likely than those who slept seven or more hours to gain 33 pounds or more. So, which do you treat first? It is a chicken-and-egg quandary!Sleep and weight gainSeveral factors connect weight gain with lack of quality sleep. The level of leptin, the protein that regulates appetite, is reduced when sleep is lacking, while ghrelin, the protein that stimulates appetite, increases. As a result, an individual who does not get sufficient sleep has an increased appetite. His body triggers the hunger sensation, so he eats more, which leads to weight gain.The fatigue that results from disrupted sleep is another contributor to weight gain in OSA sufferers. Without the energy to exercise or even prepare healthier foods, these individuals have difficulty taking the necessary steps to lose the weight needed to get relief from their sleep disorder. In addition, some people misread their exhaustion as the result of low blood sugar and literally feed the symptom, which compounds the weight problem. While sleep apnea is most common in men over the age of 40 (particularly those who are overweight or obese), postmenopausal women are also at high risk of sleep apnea and the accompanying weight gain. A study of 53 women ranging in age between 24 and 72 showed that women with the lowest amounts of progesterone and astradiol experienced the most severe sleep disorders.[1]“The hypothalamus is the center for nervous system regulation of hormonal production, and because sleep is basically regulated by the hypothalamus, which also regulates feeding desires, thirst, body temperature – or metabolism in general – it has the greatest demand for oxygen and glucose and fuel in general,” explains neurology specialist Gail Henry, DC, DABCN, DACNB.[2]The chiropractic solution to sleep apneaChiropractic has been proven to effectively treat OSA patients. Treating the subluxations in the thoracicand upper cervical spine areas increase oxygen capacity and nerve function. Gentle joint mobilization and adjustments enhance the function of chest muscles and increases blood flow. Stretching and strengthening exercises for the neck also help to improve oxygen flow.It’s also important for the OSA patient to work with a nutritionist while treating the physical challenges of sleep apnea. While resolving the problems that arise from OSA can boost weight loss, the best avenue for getting maximum results comes from a healthier diet and more exercise. As the patient’s apnea improves, energy increases and the hormones that trigger appetite become more controlled. By simultaneously managing both sides of the weight, equation, – apnea and diet/exercise – patients will gain vitality and renewed vigor.About the Authors

Michelle Thomas is an accredited Nutritionist who recently completed over five years with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, a world leader in biomedical research. She joined Chirosports in Coogee in 2011. With particular interest in detoxification, weight loss, pre-conception care, and mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, Michelle keeps up to date with current research, and uses the latest screening tools to bring bodies, back into balance. Mike Schlamp completed his Chiropractic Masters Degree in Sydney at Macquarie University. He has since been invited back to teach anatomy at both Macquarie University and the Macquarie University Hospital. Mike currently plays national level ice hockey in Australia after many years of top-level competition back in Canada. His special interests now lie in applied anatomy and the rehabilitation aspects of Chiropractic. Mike has also done extra studies in musculoskeletal acupuncture, rehabilitation, muscle releases and sports chiropractic. He joined Chirosports Coogee in 2010.[1] Netzer, N.C., Eliasson, A.H., Strohl, K.P., “Women with sleep apnea have lower levels of hormones,”Sleep Breath. 2003 Mar 7(1): 25-9.[2] “What’s new about sleep?”. Journal of the American Chiropractic Association, Sep 2001.

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Gain Sleep, Lose Weight

In the past few years, Americans have been made aware that over half (65%) of the country’s population is obese. The “obesity epidemic” has been blamed on everything from fast food and trans fats to sedentary jobs and remote controls. Recent research at Stanford University and other facilities indicate that there may be a strong connection between sleep deprivation and the inability to lose weight.

When researchers at Columbia University studied the sleep habits and weight patterns of 6,115 people, they discovered that those who slept two to four hours a night were 73% more likely to be obese than those who slept seven to nine hours. People who slept five or more hours a night were 50% more likely to be obese, and those who slept six hours were 23% more likely to be obese. The researchers also found that those who got 10 or more hours of sleep a night were 11% less likely to be obese.

Getting less than eight hours of sleep a night appears to increase levels of the hormone that makes you feel hungry (ghrelin) and decreases levels of the one that makes you feel full (leptin).

You won’t necessarily crave a huge breakfast. You’ll just have a nagging feeling all day that you need to eat, and regardless of what you eat, you’ll never feel satisfied – a perfect recipe for weight gain.

The idea that poor sleep habits are to blame for weight gain goes a long way in explaining why new mothers can’t lose their “baby weight,” why college freshmen are famous for gaining the “freshman ten,” and why shift workers have higher obesity rates. Many people suffer from chronic worry and stress that interferes with sleep, and as we get older most of us develop aches and pains that can cause wakefulness and interrupt sleep.

The National Sleep Foundation estimates that 65% of Americans get less than the ideal eight hours of sleep per night.

In fact, the average during the week is just 6.9 hours a night. Most people are able to get a few more hours on the weekends, but ghrelin and leptin don’t seem to believe in playing catch-up. In a sleep-appetite study at the University of Chicago, those who slept four hours not only showed increased amounts of hunger-stimulating ghrelin (think “gremlin”), they also said that they craved high-carb foods like cake, ice cream, pasta, bread and candy.

Obviously, getting more sleep is easier for most people than eating a low-calorie diet or following a strict exercise program. Going to bed a little earlier-instead of snacking your way through another TV show-could be the easiest component of successful weight loss. If nothing else, you’ll feel more energetic in the morning, which in itself can put that extra spring in your step than can burn a few more calories.

According to Eve Van Cauter, lead investigator for a University of Chicago sleep study, “Our body is not wired for sleep deprivation. The human animal is the only one that does this.”

These new findings about sleep and weight loss give new meaning to the saying, “You snooze, you lose.”

can sleep apnea cause strokes?

by slworking2

Researchers put together data from your famous Slumber Heart Wellness Study and also looked at cerebrovascular accident risk in five,422 participants older 40 many older with no history of heart stroke. At the start of the research, participants done a standard at-home rest test which determined whether or not they had snore and, in that case, the severity of the actual sleep apnea.

Individuals were implemented for an typical of eight years. In that period, an overall total of 193 individuals had a cerebrovascular accident – Eighty five men (of two,462 men enrollment) and 108 ladies (out of Two,960 enrolled).
Research investigators discovered that the increased chance of heart stroke appeared in males with gentle sleep apnea. Their own risk associated with stroke increased if the apnea has been more severe. Guys with average to extreme sleep apnea have been nearly 3 times more likely to possess a stroke compared to men with out sleep apnea or even with moderate sleep apnea.

In women it absolutely was different.

The improved risk regarding stroke within females had been significant just with severe numbers of sleep apnea. The improved risk regarding stroke coming from sleep apnea leaned on other chance factors the ladies had for instance weight problems, smoking, contest, diabetes and also high blood pressure.

Individuals who have sleep apnea might have one or more stopages in inhaling and exhaling or short breaths when they sleep. It’s also accompanied with noisy snoring, or perhaps snorting. The breaks often take place five in order to 30 instances an hour. Often times the person is disturbed during the night, as a result of odd inhaling and exhaling habits, that may result in extreme daytime drowsiness.

The inconsistent sleeping/breathing pattern may also put severe stress around the heart, as the pauses make the flow associated with oxygen towards the vital bodily organs to gradual or even cease for a few mere seconds, which makes the center pump tougher.

Researchers thought that because males are more vulnerable to have snore earlier in everyday life, the risks associated with stroke less complicated higher than in females, who generally suffer from snore when they are expectant, overweight or perhaps are already dealing with menopause.

“It’s feasible that the cerebrovascular accident risk relates to cumulative outcomes of sleep apnea negatively influencing wellness over a long time,” said Leslie Redline, M.N., MPH.
“Our conclusions provide persuasive evidence in which obstructive sleep apnea can be a risk element for cerebrovascular accident, especially in guys,” stated Susan Redline, Michael.D., Meters.P.They would., professor of medication, pediatrics, and also epidemiology and biostatistics, from Case Traditional western Reserve College in Cleveland, Kansas, and guide author from the paper.

“Overall, the elevated risk regarding stroke in males with snore is comparable to including 10 years with a man’s grow older. Importantly, we all found that elevated stroke danger in men happens even with fairly mild amounts of sleep apnea.”
Due to the fact sleep apnea signs happen through the night, when the individual is sleeping, many don’t get they are afflicted and can move years, a lifetime, struggling with the condition and never knowing this.

So how do you realize if you have snore, or just any snoring issue? Sleep specialists recommend that for those who have a partner that notices you’re snoring greatly and gasping regarding breath while you sleep, or else you wake up each day and find you can not function throughout the day, because you the sleepy, it is best to talk to an individual doctor.

Earlier studies have demonstrated that snore can be a precursor to be able to hypertension, putting on weight, diabetes, along with heart disease as well as stroke. It’s also linked to extreme daytime drowsiness, which reduces performance on the job and at college, and boosts the risk associated with injuries as well as death coming from drowsy generating and other mishaps.

Researchers who want to find working snoring solutions begins clinical trial scientific studies that can help researchers determine if dealing with sleep apnea can easily lower an individual’s risk associated with stroke along with other diseases.
AllStopSnoringAids is a good start point for naturally stop snoring. I hope you can get some information from there.

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Provigil (modalert) medication remedy increases wakefulness as well as people today with sleep apnea

Article by Bergan Blott

From really a number of internet drug stores we merely suggest most likely the most trusted and also reliable pharmacies which have been current offered on the market for a great deal extra than ten a long time and also gained think in from numerous customers. The drug store we suggest could furthermore be shipment totally free of cost globally. Provigil generic medicine is identified for which enhancement of wakefulness in people that have sleep disorders or simply patients that need to be informed and conscious.

Provigil (modalert) medicine medication boosts wakefulness and also people with sleep apnea, shift function sleep problem along with narcolepsy disease, and even it is additionally discovered for its off-label uses, similar to for your treatment of anxiety, some exhaustion, stress as well as anxiety symptoms, jet leg as well as a lot of others. Provigil (modafinil) is even utilized as becoming a “learn” medicine and also could be utilized for which fat lowering, yet these utilizes have to be research a lot more.

Provigil (modalert) medicine similar to any several other remedies could be a trigger of certain facet results, perhaps so these kind of facet results occur in much much less than 5percent of individuals, so Generic provigil is considered to develop into secure to use. Once you have some pores and skin breakouts or even hives, it truly is suggested that you simply simply quit taking Provigil (modalert) as well as look for surprise aid, otherwise speak to a medical doctor, as some element outcomes could properly disappear by just changing the medication dosage.

Provigil (modafinil) generic is genuinely a medicine that is approved for use in adults just, so it shouldn’t be used in children age beneath 17. Persons right now which have allergic reaction to Provigil (modafinil) drug and also Modafinil ( primary elements) ought to not be having this medicine furthermore.

Generic provigil (modalert) is definitely a medication that is generally recommended by doctors for sleep difficulties. The universal title for Generic provigil (modafinil) is Modafinil, which is in addition the essential ingredient during this certain medicine. This medicine assists to reinforce wakefulness and also interest.

Generic provigil (modalert) is prescribed by doctors for the treatment of narcolepsy illness ( increased drowsiness), shift execute sleep problem and also obstructive sleep apnea. This medical treatment is proved to become specifically effective to combat those illnesses.

Provigil drug affects substance substances inside the neural, that are referred to as chemicals. It actually is thought that these chemicals are accountable for the manage of sleep phase. Provigil (modalert) drug can’t be prescribed by doctors to people that do not have sleep problems, and even this drugs only is not approved for kids.

Provigil could transform (boost or lower) the liver organ activity. The liver run within our physique would be to eliminate the medicine in the plan. Therefore the changes in liver organ exercise could decrease effectiveness from the medication along with might lessen the liver perform.

If Provigil (modalert) drug is used with other medications, it is to become reviewed particularly extremely very carefully. 1 even alot more issue to take into factor. Once you get any kind of type of contraceptive, Provigil generic might lower their practical use additionally, therefore in case you think about this medicinal drugs, you should give a few believed to a few other strategies of contraceptions. Several drugs can increase the poisoning of Provigil. It really is furthermore not obvious what the connections are in involving Provigil (modalert) medication and even alcohol.

Provigil (modafinil) has lengthy been labeled being an Agenda C medication. It indicates that there had been no exams carried out on people to verify regardless of if it’s toxic to embryos or not. Yet, the exact same analyze finished on rats have confirmed that Provigil (modafinil) medication could be poisonous to rats’ embryos, consequently if you are contemplating pregnancy, it truly is suggested to speak to a physician first to speak relating to all risks as well as benefits of getting this medication.

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Ways To Stop Sleep Apnea In Children

by Geof F. Morris

Article by A Aaronson

Everyday we’re learning more about what causes kids’ behavioral or attention problems, and nowadays researchers are looking at the way we fall asleep. Recent studies have shown that slumber disorders are a major contributor to the problems kids face-from hyperactivity to low academic performance.

If your kid has problems, the trouble might be in their sleeping patterns. It is estimated that as many as 10 percent of the nation’s kids may suffer from sleep apnea. This goes undiagnosed because most folks aren’t aware of the effects and symptoms of the disorder.

Sleep Apnea And Kids

This is a widely known problem for adults. It is a major cause for fatigue, hypertension and other problems. It is usually associated with obesity, although people of any size or shape can suffer from it.

We all take pauses in breath during sleep, but this disorder is a more extreme case where the sufferer can pause for up to 10 seconds. It is a major health concern and affects millions of Americans, most of who are over 50.

Recent research has shown an alarming number of children also suffer from the breathing disorder. The most common type that affects kids is Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. During sleep, the breath is obstructed in the airway, usually by tonsils or adenoids. When the air is obstructed, not enough oxygen gets to the brain.

The result is poor sleep, and an inability to concentrate when awake. Getting oxygen to the brain is the most important function of a night’s rest. This disorder has become recognized as a major contributor to attention span and behavioral problems among kids.

Unlike adults, it is hard to diagnose this problem in children. Often sleepiness is the only visible symptom, but other symptoms include excessive snoring, restless sleep, excessive sweating while sleeping, waking up often, sleepwalking and talking while snoozing.

How Can You Know For Sure

The only way to be absolutely certain is to conduct a test called a “polysomnography.” You must go to a special lab, where wires and probes will be attached to various points on the body. They will monitor brain waves, breathing, eye movements and other indicators.

The polysomnography is painless, but can be uncomfortable for some people, especially children. It requires sleeping in a strange place under strange conditions. Still, it is absolutely essential if you think your child has a problem. If not corrected early in life, sleep apnea can lead to hypertension, high blood pressure and other health issues in adult life.

If your child suffers from excessive sleepiness, hyperactivity or inability to concentrate, this test might be due to this disorder. The sooner this can be diagnosed and treated, the sooner your child can live a normal life. It can be treated if detected early in life.

Sleep Apnea Pillow

by Ⓖraham

Article by Tom Houser

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by frequent pauses in breathing during sleep. Three types of sleep apnea exist: central, obstructive and mixed. Obstructive is the most common, resulting from over-relaxation of throat muscles, causing the windpipe to collapse and block the airway. Treatments for sleep apnea range from simple lifestyle changes to surgery. One of the most common non-invasive treatments is the sleep apnea pillow.

A sleep apnea pillow is a pillow that is designed for snorers, since snoring is one of the most common indicators of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea pillows are designed to support the neck, to prevent patients from rolling onto their backs (where snoring and sleep apnea can worsen), to cradle the head, to elongate the neck and keep the tongue from blocking the airway, and to assist side sleepers by relieving pressure on shoulders and arms.

Several different manufacturers claim their sleep apnea pillows achieve the above objectives, but SONA pillow is the only sleep apnea pillow approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the counter treatment.

The SONA sleep apnea pillow at first looks rather odd. A two-layered triangle instead of a solid rectangle, this sleep apnea pillow resembles a padded boomerang more than a pillow. The angular design, though, is what makes this pillow helpful in treating sleep apnea. The shape is intended to maintain sleep in the side position. Two inclined surfaces make up the primary sleeping surface, with a flatter lower surface in the center.

Each lower part of the triangle of the sleep apnea pillow has a training arm sling. To properly use the pillow lie on either side, extend your arm in the open space under the pillow. Your arm should be kept extended while sleeping and the head should be maintained on the same side as the extended hand.

Initially, you may use the training arm sling to maintain this position by placing the arm in the space between the pillow and the sling. For additional sleep compliance, you can use a body pillow to hug over, or to put between the legs to help maintain the side sleeping position. Using the sleep apnea pillow in this manner allows the jaw to be pulled forward, preventing the tongue from falling backward and obstructing the throat.

Certain portions of the populations are not candidates for the SONA sleep apnea pillow. People with severe sleep apnea do not benefit from using the SONA sleep apnea pillow as a solo therapy. Obese individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 will not get the snoring relief obtained by thinner members of the population.

The SONA sleep apnea pillow, like all pillows, undergoes normal wear and tear, and should be periodically fluffed. The makers of SONA pillow also recommend replacing the sleep apnea pillow annually.

Before purchasing the SONA sleep apnea pillow, or any sleep apnea pillow, consult your physician.

SONA Pillow is a registered trademark of Sleep Devices, Inc.

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Can Sleep Apnea Cause Death?

by ramblingrovers

Article by Jonni Good

Copyright (c) 2008 Jonni Good

Sleep apnea is an extremely dangerous, and sometimes deadly disorder, if not properly treated.

How can sleep apnea cause death? Death can result directly from apneic events or indirectly from health issues adversely affected by the sleep apnea. Death can also result from accidents that are due to exhaustion from sleep apnea.

Oxygen is needed for cells to survive. Oxygen enters the body by respirations. Respirations are voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary is when you consciously control a function. Involuntary is when a body function is automatic. You can stop yourself from breathing, but only until you pass out, then your autonomic system takes over and tells the body to breathe. When sleeping, we automatically breathe.

Oxygen intake is interrupted in the patient who suffers from sleep apnea. Sometimes the apnea is caused by a short circuit in the brain. The autonomic system isn’t being told to keep the body breathing.

Other times the apnea is caused by an obstruction of the tongue or collapse of the airway. If air doesn’t enter the lungs, oxygen cannot be extracted and after about 4 minutes cells will begin to die. If enough cells die, the body will not be able to compensate and it will result in death.

Hundreds of short breathing cessations each night harms the body. Oxygen saturations drop over and over again while carbon dioxide builds up. This puts stress on the heart.

The heart will enlarge over time if the sleep apnea is allowed to go on untreated. Blood vessels constrict causing high blood pressure. Sometimes it will also result in a stroke if too much pressure causes a vessel to burst. If the bleeding from the stroke cannot be controlled, it will also result in death.

How else can sleep apnea cause death? Lack of sleep causes our bodies chemicals to become out of whack. People suffering from sleep apnea live continuously with off balance chemicals that never get a chance to regulate, therefore sleep deprived people often suffer from depression. This depression can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Impaired judgment and slow reaction times can cause accidental deaths from automobile crashes or falls. Sleepiness and inappropriately falling asleep has resulted in fires and accidental CO poisoning.

There have been athletes, actors, authors, and other famous people who have died due to sleep apnea. the most recent and well known is Reggie White, a NFL Hall-of-Famer who died at 43 years of age from an arrhythmia caused by sleep apnea.

So can sleep apnea cause death? Certainly. Can a person with sleep apnea prevent death? Definitely. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and treatment compliance is crucial for saving your own life.

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Sleep Apnea: Causes and Treatments

by marc0047

Article by Fundoodeals

Sleep apnea is a disorder in which people know-how shallow respiring or hesitations in respiring throughout their sleep. The hesitations can be for just a few seconds and they may last for a couple of minutes. They can happen anywhere between 5 to 30 times inside the span of one hour. This is a chronic disorder and most persons are never aware of the difficulty as it happens during their doze.

In a usual episode, the person’s breathing passage becomes constricted and restricts respiring. These outcomes in decreased oxygen provide to the body. When the brain notices this, it awakens the person and makes them respire one time afresh. This cycle can repeat often throughout the night, thereby initiating interruption to a person’s sleep. Although, the individual may not be cognizant of it attentively, and may only seem tired and drowsy throughout the day due to need of correct sleep at night.

Except a family constituent who dozes with the person notices the problem, the status may never get observed. Even medical practitioners may not be adept to notice it throughout a routine written test unless the persevering brings the theme up. There are no specific body-fluid tests to detect the presence of the condition either.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the most widespread kind of this disorder, where the person’s airway collapses or gets impeded throughout sleep. The blockage gives rise to superficial respiring or hesitations in breathing. particularly people who are overweight and have surplus fat under the chin may experience obstructive sleep apnea. little children who have enlarged tonsils might furthermore know-how this condition.

Causes of Sleep Apnea:

Sleep disorders are more convoluted than lost hours counting sheep. numerous health disorders engage sleeplessness. Some of the main sleeping disorders are:

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea
2. Bruxism or “teeth grinding”
3. Somnambulism or “sleep-walking”
4. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) or “uncontrollable leg action”
5. fast Eye action Behavior Disorder (RBD) or “acting out aspirations while slumbering”

Dental Treatments for Sleep Apnea:

The best remedy for patients with is the most cautious treatment that will improve his exclusive health position. What is the most conservative therapy that will help you? This is a multifaceted and personal question that should be considered by you, your sleep doctor and your family doctor. The treatment should be selected according to the kind of apnea, the severity of the symptoms, and your other health considerations. One cautious remedy that has been verified to help is the submission of diverse dental apparatus. These dental appliances are suggested for those persons who know-how gentle to moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

A number of devices are accessible depending on the need of the persevering or the prescription of a dentist( best one is http://www.aubinorthodontics.com). These devices are conceived to reposition the mandible and tongue in an anterior or forward place to enlarge pharyngeal dimension and to avert their collapse into the airways during sleep. The goals of this dental remedy encompass enhancement or tenacity of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Two kinds of oral apparatus are available for the treatment, a mandible repositioned and tongue keeping devices. The mandible advancement apparatus, referred to as angry, is the most widely utilized instrument for treatment of sleep apnea. Its characteristics are alike to a mouth guard, which forces the smaller jaw downhill and ahead to sustain an open and unobstructed airway. The TRD, or tongue-retraining apparatus, holds the airway open all the time by retaining the tongue in place.

Orthodontic Care Shrewsbury MA