What is a Stop Snoring Pillow and How Does It Work?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General
Dated: 12 Jun 2011
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What Is a Stop Snoring Pillow and Just How Does It Work?

Many individuals find that a stop snoring pillow can help them and their sleeping partner get some good uninterrupted sleep at last. You need to understand that it isn’t merely the person with the snore dilemma that suffers, it’s also their sleeping lover or even other members of the family in other rooms. So every person may perhaps benefit from a snore pillow. However, is a snoring pillow suitable for every snorer? And exactly how do you use it? You will get the right answers to these queries here. ..

One of the most well-liked and efficient anti snoring devices currently available is the anti snoring pillow. Simply put, they function by placing and aligning the neck and head of the sleeper in such a manner that the airways are retained open and free of restrictions whilst sleeping.

In this way, they’re able to protect against loud snoring mainly because snoring is actually due to soft tissue which has moved into the air passages when the person is asleep. One way that this can happen is if the snorer sleeps on their back, as many do. As the muscle groups are fully relaxed, the jaw can move downwards and back. And because the tongue is coupled to the bottom jaw, it can move backwards into the throat and restrict it. So, during the night, the chief goal is on seeking to prevent the breathing passages from getting limited.

The key difference between a stop snoring pillow and your usual pillow is the fact that it has been specially designed and constructed with particular conforms . These ‘shapes’ help position our bodies, shoulders, neck and head, such that your air passages are held as open as possible. Some enable you to slumber on your side , other on the front. Some types even claim to allow you to slumber laying on your back but ‘reposition’ your neck and head to help keep the air passages open.

Now, depending on the individual actual cause of loud night breathing (e.g. sinus hypersensitivity, back sleeping, obesity, junk diet, eating to close to going to bed, alcohol consumption before bed, and so on ) these pillows may, or may not, be the best remedy for yourself.

Even if they are a good option and do give some improvement, sometimes they simply aren’t sufficient by themselves. In these instances, the wearing of an anti -snore mouthpiece, combined with the pillow, is often required.

An additional issue to note is that often these special pillows can be quite expensive because they’re often constructed from special materials. As an example, you can get ones that are crafted from specialized allergy- free materials. But even although the cost can be significant, they’re nonetheless popular with habitual snorers as well as with men and women that have problems with sleep apnea. ..

If you would like, you will get way more facts on snore mouthpieces, as well as other kinds of devices, and also, access pictures of some well-liked types at How To Stop Snoring At Night

The Most Effective Anti Snoring Gadgets

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: General
Dated: 13 Feb 2011
Comments: 0

The noise produced by a snorer could be occasionally humorous and also on occasion amusing. Even though this is true for many, people who actually live or sleep with snorers can feel rather the opposite. A snorer can awaken his / her spouse or roommate in the middle of the night because of the sounds made rendering it an annoyance. This stops the partner or roommate to experience a goodnight sleep and therefore if it happens every night, it may be pretty annoying. That is why, snorers should purchase anti snoring devices to assist their bed companions and other people close to them while asleep to experience a very good slumber.

The favorite anti-snoring products are listed below:

* Anti snore pillow

One reason why people snore is really because they’ve got an improper sleeping position. This will cause the air passage to stretch out and tighten up which makes it more difficult for air to come inside and out. To resolve this, there are anti snoring pillows that relax your airways and keep the best sleeping posture to prevent a person from loud snores at night time.

* Anti snoring herbal spray

One particular natural remedy to stop snoring will be the snoring spray. Developed with 100 % natural ingredients, snoring spray contains important oils that after sprayed about the throat, provide a lubrication that decreases that level of vibration, hence effectively decreasing snoring. Nevertheless, it is ironic that when throat spray can be used frequently, it can lead to more snoring.

Prior to using throat spray, the doctor’s assessment on the patient is necessary to avoid any other side-effect.

* Nasal dilators

Generally made of stainless steel coil or plastic material, nasal dilators help to keep the air passageway open which decrease the throat’s vibration that leads to snoring. Nasal dilators are employed by applying it into the nostrils.

* Anti snore nasal strip

Like nasal dilators, nasal strips are used to open up the breathing passages in the nasal area and keep the proper amount of airflow while asleep. Nasal strips in many cases are made from plastic material. This is one of the most popular anti-snoring devices since it is inexpensive, secure, and successful. In reality, nasal strips are utilized by sports athletes for superior air flow and respiratory system efficiency while playing.

* Sleep position monitoring machine

The sleep position monitoring device is used to prevent a snorer from sleeping on his or her back. Whenever he or she does this, a beeping sound is created from the unit that alerts the body to drop back to resting on sides. The aim of this device is to develop a fresh sleeping routine for the person who snores. Although effective it’s not a viable choice for snorers that have bed partners or roommates since they can be alerted by the beeping sound.

Once the snorer gets accustomed to resting on his or her sides, these devices could be disposed.

* Snore ball

These snore balls are placed inside the snorer’s pajama at the rear part. This helps prevent the snorer from sleeping on his back. As soon as she or he shifts on his back the snore ball then creates discomfort. With this gadget the snorer subsequently is going to be used to sleeping on the sides. The anti-snoring ball can also be made of several athletics balls for instance baseballs, tennis balls and golf balls.

All these anti snoring devices can stop a particular person from loud snoring, nevertheless, loud snoring can be caused by other medical problem that could need medical assistance. To be safe, have your relative or loved one be checked by a physician to understand exactly what treatment will he need.

The author is a multifaceted writer. She creates articles for a number of subjects such as marriage and relationship advices, CPAP and Respironics PR System one, family and parenting concerns, fashion and beauty tips and a lot more.

Can Cpap Help Me?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 15 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the “gold standard” of treatment for patients with sleep apnea. The CPAP machine works by using pressure to send air flowing through the nasal passages, keeping the throat from collapsing during sleep—the main reason why individuals with sleep apnea stop breathing periodically throughout the night.

Why is this important? Most of us are aware that a good night’s sleep is essential. REM Sleep, the time during sleep when we dream, contributes to overall health and proper body function. But during a sleep apnea event, the individual leaves REM sleep many times throughout the night to restart his or her breathing. The result is a lack of deeply restful sleep that seriously affects the body’s ability to function.

There are three different types of CPAP machines:

• CPAP: delivers one continuous air pressure

• APAP: adjusts to your need for oxygen by starting out at low pressure, senses raising the pressure during a sleep apnea event

• BiPAP: uses a higher pressure when you inhale and lower pressure when you exhale

CPAP cannot cure sleep apnea, but it does alleviate symptoms such as:

• Snoring

• Nasal dryness

• Headaches

• Irritated eyes

• Daytime fatigue

• Weight gain

• Changes in mood

• Driver impairment

Unfortunately, getting used to sleeping with a mask on your face and air flowing down your nasal passages is not the easiest thing to do. Some patients decide they cannot get used to CPAP and eventually abandon the machine. Although this can be a serious health mistake, here are some of the reasons why patients feel this way:

• CPAP is highly successful when used properly, but many patients have trouble complying with its usage. Only 23% – 45% of patients have success.

• When used as directed, the CPAP success rate is nearly 100%! Unfortunately, CPAP is difficult to stick to, since the individual must commit to wearing a mask over the nose and mouth every night.

• The mask should be worn all night. Some wear if for 4 hours or less each night and never reap the complete benefits.

• Face breakouts, eye and nasal irritation, mouth dryness, runny nose and sore throat can all be side effects of CPAP.

• Patients with allergies, ‘mouth breathers’, and patients who sleep on their stomachs may find CPAP difficult to use.

Patients who have decided CPAP is not the right treatment for them frequently benefit from alternative treatments, such as oral appliance therapy.

The Benefits Of Sleep Apnea Devices In Curing Sleep Disorder

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 10 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

When talking about snoring problem, a single thing enters our mind and that is the nuisance sound which disturbs the night. Well, it’s not just like that. In fact snoring is said to be a symptom of serious illness simply because if may lead to heart attack and respiratory disorder. So, if you notice sleep disorder with your bed partners, you have to do something. In this case, you have to consult the doctor for diagnosis. You know snoring is normal to individuals simply because we all snores maybe once in every week of our life. To tell you the truth snoring often happens to males because you know they are born with narrower throat compare to females. In some instances, snoring or sleep disorder only happens because of too much work. In addition to these, age is also said to be the factor the triggers a person to snore. So in the event that you reach higher age there is a tendency of snoring habitually. Obesity is said to be the number one factor that triggers a person to snore. Because of the fats that tend to block the air passage, the air is blocked so it cannot flows well. Thus, it is recommended to loss weight if possible. Aside from that, smoking and drinking are also big factors that trigger a person to snore. Because of the nicotine content from the cigarette the muscles tends to be relax and the throat becomes narrower. The same as when you are drinking, the throat muscles also tend to relax simply because alcohol is a stimulant. So, if you are smoking or drinking right now, it is advisable to stop it if possible. If you want to control sleep disorder, you have to do some changes in your lifestyle so that it can be more effective. Because of the hectic and busy lifestyle nowadays, people have no time to get into the doctor so they decided to purchase sleep apnea devices which are available in the market. One of the most effective devices for snoring problem is the often called as electronic bracelet. It appears in the form of bracelet which can be worn on the arms of the patient. This reduces the amount of sound that comes from the throat as well as help in maintaining the airways open. Another type of snoring device is the so called acupressure therapy; this involves a silver ring which can be inserted in the little finger. It exerts pressure to the air paths and maintains it open for overnight. People with sleep apnea is said to be irritable all the times simply because they feel sleepy at daytime and finding hard to sleep at night. Actually according to research snoring problems or sleep apnea can be resulted to broken relationship not just because of the nuisance sound that comes from the air paths. In the recent survey, it is said that people with sleep apnea is also the usual victims of road accident. So, if you want to sleep with nothing to worry you have to do something to control or even completely remove sleep apnea in your life.

Sleep Apnea Treatment â?? Ways To Cure Sleep Disorder Cheaply And Effectively

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 9 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

Snoring is not new for many people. In fact every individual snores maybe ones or thrice in some cases. For us a bed partner, snoring is only nuisance sound coming from the airways of our husband. But we donâ??t have any idea that it may lead to some serious cases such as kidney trouble and heart attack. According to experts, snoring can becomes severe or the often called as sleep apnea. People with this kind of sleep disorder usually feel sleepy during day time. In addition to that, a person with sleep apnea is usually the victims of car incidents according to the recent survey. Obviously if you have this kind of sleep disorder, you have to consult the doctor for diagnosis. But then, there are snoring devices which may also help to control snoring specially at night time. Smoking and drinking also belong to the factors that trigger sleep apnea happen. The smoke from cigarette contains tar and nicotine which may increase the blockage in your throat. The same as when youâ??re drinking, the muscles in your throat tend to be relaxed so the air will not circulate well wherein snoring happen. Aside from that, obesity is said to be the number one cause of sleep apnea. Of course if you are overweight, there is a great chance of having sleep apnea. Remember that the number one cause of it is the blockage of airways. So, it is recommended to loss excess weight if possibleYou know there are lots of snoring devices available in the market and some of these products are Noiselezz and Sommo guard. It is said that these products is said to be the best when it comes to treating snoring problems. The good thing about these types of devices is that these are cheap when it comes to price. Other than that, these are the easiest used devices. Noiselezz is suited for people who snore with open mouth. It lessens the nuisance sound coming from the airways of the patient. While the Sommo Guard is then suited for people who snore with close mouth. As Iâ??ve said, these products are very effective and easy to use. Only then you have to follow certain instruction attached to it. Another type of snoring device is the so called Nasovent. This kind of device also cures snoring problem easily and effectively. It helps in letting the airways open as well as help in reducing nose congestion. Of course the air paths are open, there are chances that you will avoid nose congestion which tend to reduce snoring problem at the same time. In the event that you canâ??t afford to purchase anti snoring devices because you are lack in money. You can prepare to have magnetic treatment as an alternative solution for snoring problem. This cheap and effective solution for snoring problem is composed of plastic nose ring with earth magnets on both ends. This helps to let the nose open which tends to reduce snoring problem. These are only some of the sleep apnea treatment; you can find lots more by browsing some pages in the internet or by reading magazines and ads. You know in order for you to succeed you have to do some changes in your lifestyle so that it will be more effective.

Sleep Apnea Treatment â?? 4 Ways To Cure Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Cures For Sleep Apnea
Dated: 9 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

When talking about health topics, sleep apnea is a type of disorder that many people are still wondering. Some said that it is only as simple sound that comes from the airways of our bed partners. But according to scientist, snoring or sleep disorder can be a symptom of serious illness such as diabetes and heart attack. In some researches, sleep apnea can be resulted to broken relationships because of poor sexual performance. Since you are lack in sleep you cannot work well and it is not impossible to involve in car incidents in not treat properly. Obviously when talking about sleep apnea, thereâ??s something that enters our mind â?? sleep apnea treatment. Sleep apnea is physical blocking of airways due to the excess tissues from the fats. Of course if you are overweight, there is a great chance of having sleep apnea. Remember that the number one cause of it is the blockage of airways. So, it is recommended to loss excess weight if possible. Anyways, snoring or sleep apnea is very common for males. This is because they are naturally born with narrower treat compare to females. And take note, sleep apnea can often happen as you become older and older. Smoking and drinking also belong to the factors that trigger sleep apnea happen. The smoke from cigarette contains tar and nicotine which may increase the blockage in your throat. the same as when youâ??re drinking, the muscles in your throat tends to be relax so the air will not circulate well wherein snoring keeps on triggering. You know there are lots of sleep apnea treatments available in the market. Hence, you have to consult the doctor first in the sense that you will be informed what type of sleep apnea treatment is suitable for you. It is said that oral appliances is very effective in curing snoring problems or even sleep apnea. An oral appliance can helps in reposition of the lower jaw and the tongue. There are also oral appliances that help in preventing the tongue from falling away; this is called MAD or Manibular Advancement device or MAD. Whether what type of oral appliance you want it is better if you ask for experts to give you some advice in using it properly. Another type of sleep apnea treatment which is done in clinic is the so called UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty). This type of minor operation involves a couple of dollars simply because it is quite expensive when it comes to price. The process is actually very simple. This only involves minor surgery to remove the excess fats and tissues that blocks the airways. In the modern world, UPPP has now use laser beam to completely remove not only the excess tissues but also the things which may affect the circulating of air inside including tonsils and adenoids. For you to succeed in using sleep apnea treatment, you have to do certain changes in your lifestyle so that it can be more effective. There are also natural remedies for sleep apnea in the event that you canâ??t afford to buy sleep apnea device. On of these is by maintaining the right food. Avoid those fatty one and those that are rich in carbohydrates. On the other hand, you have to maintain you weight to go back to normal. but if you are drinking or smoking right now, then better stop it event if it is early.

How Can I Stop My Sleep Apena?

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 8 Dec 2009
Comments: 0

The most commonly prescribed treatment for diagnosed sleep apnea is the CPAP machine. CPAP stands for ‘continuous positive airway pressure’. The sleep apnea patient wears a specially designed mask when sleeping that uses pressure to send air flowing through the nasal passages. The influx of air keeps the throat from collapsing during sleep and allows the patient to breathe freely without stopping. CPAP minimizes or eliminates snoring so your partner can also get a better night’s rest, and other effects of sleep apnea, such as nasal dryness, headaches and irritated eyes can be reduced or eliminated. Many people find the CPAP difficult to use. With time and patience, however, today’s lighter, quieter CPAP machines have helped thousands of sleep apnea sufferers end their symptoms and sleep peacefully again.

Other treatments include specially designed dental devices that prevent airway obstruction, anti-snoring medications and surgery to prevent obstruction in more severe cases.

Dental Appliances

Most dental appliances are made from acrylic and fit inside your mouth like an athletic mouth guard or braces. Some appliances fit around your head and chin to help reposition your lower jaw. All dental appliances are designed to open your airway, bringing your jaw or tongue forward during sleep to reduce obstruction. Unfortunately, individuals suffering from more severe forms of sleep apnea cannot find relief with these devices.

Side effects from dental appliances include:

• Mouth soreness

• Permanent changes or damage to the jaw, teeth, or mouth

• Build up of saliva

• Nausea

Anti-Snoring Medications

Specialized medication may help curb the effects of sleep apnea or complement more aggressive treatment options when taken before bedtime. Natural plant enzymes and herbs reduce congestion and swelling in the nose and throat and minimize snoring. Special nose drops or nasal sprays, and aromatherapy, have proven beneficial.

Surgery

Surgery can increase airway size by surgically removing excess tissue inside the nose or back of the throat, and may include the removal of tonsils and adenoids. The jaw may be reconstructed to enlarge the upper airway. Surgery certainly carries risks, but for some, this is the best option.

There are things you can do at home to help alleviate your symptoms:

• Avoid alcohol

• Avoid sedatives

• Experiment with sleeping in a new position

• Strategic use of pillows may help

• Lose weight

• Eat a low fat diet

At home remedies are never a substitute for proper medical care.

Sleep Apnea Treatment Alternatives to Cpap

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

If you’ve been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), characterized by stoppages in breathing as you sleep, one of the treatments you may be offered is CPAP. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatment is usually the first choice prescribed by many OSA specialists. While it is a successful way to treat OSA, many people have problems with continuing to use it.

Because it requires a mask that fits over the mouth and nose each night while the OSA sufferer sleeps, there are several unwanted side-effects of using it. Many CPAP users report they can only tolerate it for four hours a night. Users complain of facial breakouts due to the straps, eye irritation, runny nose, dry mouth, and sore throats. Because the mask is hooked up to a machine by an attached hose, patients who are more comfortable sleeping on their stomachs may also have trouble. The noise coming from the machine is also problematic to many.

Alternatives

After being diagnosed with OSA, discussing your treatment options with a sleep apnea specialist or sleep apnea dentist is your best bet to avoiding CPAP. And there are several options available.

Oral Appliance Therapy – These are devices that are custom-fitted to minimize OSA and snoring (one of the symptoms of OSA). They are worn like an orthodontic appliance, or mouth guard, and keep the soft tissue from collapsing and blocking your airway. They are also designed to keep your tongue in place and out of the way of your throat. Devices such as SomnoMed MAS, Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP), and many more are highly successful in treating OSA.

Behavioral Therapy – Many patients with OSA may find that simply changing behaviors in their lifestyle can cut down or completely eliminate instances of sleep interruption. Individuals who smoke, consume alcohol on a regular basis, or are overweight may find that giving up these habits or losing weight will help. Improving your diet, avoiding certain antihistamines before bed, or putting a humidifier in your bedroom are also easy improvements.

Medication – Snoring is not necessarily an indication that you have OSA, but it is a symptom. There are herbal medicines that use natural plant enzymes or herbs to help eliminate snoring. These “anti-snoring pills” reduce congestion and swelling in the nose and throat. When you are able to breathe easier, you are less likely to snore or awake unable to breathe. Other medications include prescribed nose drops or sprays and aromatherapy.

Surgery – Though surgery should be the last resort in treating OSA, this may be the most beneficial treatment for some people. The goal of OSA surgery is to increase the size of the airway. This makes it easier for you to breathe as you sleep without interruption. Different surgical procedures include a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, tongue reduction surgery, or a tracheotomy in severe cases of OSA.

OSA is a potentially dangerous condition. The risks of having an untreated condition may increase your chances of heart attack or stroke. If you believe you may have obstructive sleep apnea, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Sleep Apnea and Surgery: What You Need to Know

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

 

Do you wake up in the morning feeling as if you haven’t slept at all? Are you cranky, irritable, or depressed? Do you find yourself dozing off during movies or while performing routine tasks, including driving? Are you suddenly having difficulty with short-term memory or complex cognitive tasks?

If any of these are the case, you may have sleep apnea, and if even minor surgery is in your future, you need to determine whether you have sleep apnea or you could be putting your life at risk.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common condition in which breathing stops during sleep. As your body realizes it is suffocating, it wakens partially, which restores airflow, but disrupts sleep. Both parts of sleep apnea are harmful–reduced oxygen supply can lead to high blood pressure and increased risk of heart failure as the heart tries to compensate for low oxygen saturation. Sleep disruption decreases the amount of rest a person receives, reducing the level of rest a person receives during sleep.

Sleep Apnea Surgical Risks

According to studies, surgical patients with sleep apnea face highly increased risks. These risks are described as being periopoerative, meaning that they occur not only during surgery, but also following surgery and throughout recovery.

Surgical Risks include

· Difficulty in mask ventilation tracheal intubation, or laryngoscopic view

· Adverse response to anesthesia including apneic events where the waking response is inhibited, which can lead to dangerously low oxygen levels

Immediate Postsurgical Risks include

· Low blood oxygen levels

· High or low blood pressure

· Irregular heartbeat

· Pneumonia

· Collapsed lung

· Mental confusion

· Wound breakdown

· Oxygen starvation of the heart

· Stroke

· Death

· Brain damage

Recovery Period Risks include

· Shortness of breath

· Chest pain

· Abnormal post-surgical chest x-ray

· Transfer to ICU

· Necessity of mechanical ventilation

· Cardiac arrest

· Congestive heart failure

· Coma

· Death

In all, people with untreated sleep apnea have double the risk of perioperative complications and triple the risk of serious complications. And patients with untreated sleep apnea have, on average, 33 % longer hospital stays than other patients.

Get Tested

Although the rate for sleep apnea in the general population is only 2-4 %, studies found that as many as 19 % of the adult surgical population suffer from sleep apnea. The increase is due to the serious health complications resulting from sleep apnea, making sufferers disproportionately represented in the surgical population. Although many hospitals now pre-screen all surgical patients for sleep apnea, the screening tools are cursory and may not catch you. If you suffer from any of the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as daytime sleepiness, wake feeling poorly rested, experience excessive moodiness, or have difficulty with memory or cognitive tasks, you should consider being screened for sleep apnea before any surgery.

How to Know if You Have Sleep Apnea

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea
Dated: 13 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

 

Sleep apnea is the temporary stoppage of breathing during sleep. Technically, a person is said to have sleep apnea if breathing stops for at least ten seconds, five times an hour. Your body responds to the stoppage of breathing by waking you, which leads to sleep apnea sufferers experiencing very poor sleep. In addition, sleep apnea sufferers tend to experience serious health complications including an increased risk for:

· High blood pressure

· Heart attack

· Stroke

· Arrhythmia

In addition, sleep apnea sufferers are liable to experience a number of psychological effects, including:

· Loss of short-term memory

· Poor work performance

· Severe anxiety

· Mood swings

· Depression

· Impotence

Finally, sleep apnea sufferers can suffer serious complications following surgery and are at an increased risk of dying in an automobile accident. Obviously, this is a very serious condition, and discovering whether you have it is very important.

See the Signs

Anyone can suffer from sleep apnea, but the people most at risk for sleep apnea are overweight men over the age of 50. In addition, anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is at an increased risk for sleep apnea.

Although sleep apnea occurs when you are sleeping, it has a number of daytime manifestations. First, if you are experiencing any of the above psychological effects, consider the possibility that you are suffering sleep apnea. In addition, consider your level of daytime sleepiness. You may take a quick test like the Epworth Sleepiness Test which can help you determine whether you have an excessive level of daytime sleepiness. In addition, if you have a cosleeper, ask him or her about snoring, which is commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. More important, ask if they notice you gasping or suffering a stoppage of breathing during the night.

Once you begin to suspect sleep apnea, you might begin a sleep journal. A sleep journal should include at least the time you went to bed, the time you woke up, any waking events you have, insomnia, and note days when you feel sleepy, unrested, or irritable during the day. Also, have your cosleeper record any events he or she notes during the night. With this journal, you can develop a comprehensive picture of your sleep habits.

Definite Diagnosis

Once you begin to suspect that you have sleep apnea, you should seek positive diagnosis. Diagnosis of sleep apnea is the first stage in treatment of this completely remediable disease. Diagnosis of sleep apnea is performed by the use of a polysomnogram. A polysomnogram is a comprehensive test of the way you sleep. It monitors:

· Brain activity (via an electroencephalogram (EEG))

· Air flow, chest and abdomen movement

· Continuous oxygen saturation

· Chin and leg movements

· Eye movements and the onset of Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep

· Heart rate and rhythm

By monitoring all these elements simultaneously, the polysomnogram can definitively establish whether you suffer from sleep apnea or not by identifying the number of breathing interruptions you suffer during your sleep. It can tell the amount of time you spend in stage 1, 2,3, and 4 sleep, as well as the amount of time you spend in REM sleep. For diagnosing all sleep problems, the polysomnogram is the gold standard of tests, but it does require an overnight stay in the laboratory.