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2 Sleep Apnea Devices That’ll Help You Get the Sleep You Need

Apnea — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:40:26 +0000

Sleep apnea affects millions of people every night. Many have found that sleep apnea devices dramatically decrease their symptoms and allow them to be more alert and rested during the day. If you suffer from apnea, you’ll want to investigate the following two devices developed to alleviate the symptoms of this potentially debilitating condition.

First off, what is sleep apnea? It is the condition that occurs when during sleep; the airway becomes blocked or collapses. Generally then the person will awaken with a snort, or loud breath. This can happen many times during the night. The disrupted sleep pattern causes poor sleep quality, and tiredness during the day is often the result. Many people have this condition and not know it. Often their spouse will notice the person snorting awake, and snoring.

The first sleep apnea device is the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. CPAP machines blow continuous air into the airway to keep it open. The three principle parts of a CPAP machine are the mask which fits over the patient’s nose and mouth, the hose which carries air from the pump to the mask, and the pump. Many times the air pumped to the mask will be humidified so the throat of the patient will not dry out. CPAP machines are quiet, but many people find the mask uncomfortable or embarrassing.

The second sleep apnea device is the TAP (Thornton adjustable positioner). This device is fitted into the mouth and holds the lower jaw forward in relation to the upper jaw. This positioning keeps the airway open. The benefits to this device are: it is less expensive, less bulky, and possibly easier to use.

The right sleep apnea device for you will depend on many factors such as the severity of your condition, and just what you’re comfortable wearing.

Sleep Apnea Devices

Apnea — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:46:26 +0000

Fortunately for sleep apnea sufferers there are solutions. In fact, there are more sleep apnea devices available now than ever before. In this article, we’re going to explore some of these devices, how they work, and the benefits they provide.
Sleep apnea is defined as “a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.” These interruptions of sleep are referred to as apneas. They generally span a period of ten seconds or more and can take place any number of times throughout the course of a night. Those who suffer from this condition often wake throughout the night as a result of their struggles to catch their breath. Often, they will have no recollection of these events.
The CPAP Machine
The most common of the sleep apnea devices is the CPAP machine. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of therapy that creates a steady stream of air flow into the lungs in order to make it possible for “uninterrupted breathing and unobstructed airways during sleep.”
This is accomplished with the use of a CPAP machine and a mask worn over the face. The CPAP machine pumps a consistent flow of air into the mask, which keeps your throat open throughout the night. The result is a reduction of snoring, which is often one of the most common signs of this condition.
A CPAP sleep apnea device should be used whenever you sleep, even for naps. And while a CPAP device will generally reduce the number of apneas throughout the night, it does not cure this condition. It simply allows for a better night’s sleep, with more REM sleep. The lack of REM sleep can be one of this condition’s most destructive results.
Some people have difficulty with CPAP devices. They find them too noisy or too uncomfortable, or in some cases they wake up with a dry, stuffy nose every morning (there are sleep apnea devices equipped with a heated humidifier that can minimize this last problem).
The Oral Appliance
The next of the most common device for this condition is the oral appliance. Originally, oral appliances were designed to decrease the incidence of snoring and they did an excellent job. However, with improvements in their design they’ve also become helpful for those who suffer from mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.
There are a variety of oral devices available. Two of the most popular include the splint and the mandibular advancement device (MAD). The splint keeps the tongue in a particular position throughout the night. By so doing, it allows the air passage to remain open and clear.
The mandibular advancement device (MAD) looks similar to the sports mouth guards that athletes wear for protection. This apparatus forces the lower jaw in a backward direction, which allows for plenty of room for air flow. This encourages you to sleep on your back. It also improves the flow of air into and out of the lungs (although this is less the case for those who suffer from severe forms of this condition).
The oral appliance and the CPAP machine are two of the most common sleep apnea devices. They are also two of the most effective devices. If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, ask your doctor about the best treatments for you in your particular situation.

What Are Sleep Apnea Causes?

Apnea — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:17:21 +0000

If you have been sleeping and suddenly you wake up because you cannot breathe, you probably have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea happens when air cannot get into your lungs when you are sleeping. Either your throat stays open and air cannot inhale or your throat will temporary collapse causing you to wake up without breath. This is a scary experience and can cause loss of sleep unless controlled. The sleep apnea usually happens when you are lying on your back, but there have been some cases where it can happen in any sleeping position.
What are some sleep apnea causes? One cause of sleep apnea is when your throat or tongue muscles relax more than normal. If you are sleeping on your back, your throat muscle could relax enough so that your mouth is agape. This will cause your tongue to relax also. Your tongue can slip upwards and backwards inside your mouth and cause you to stop breathing. You will awake gasping for air and feel like you have not breathed in awhile. If this is the cause of your sleep apnea, you could try not to sleep on your back. Sleep on your side or stomach. This could allow you to get a good night’s sleep.
Your tonsils or adenoids being to large is another sleep apnea cause. Surgery is the best treatment if this is your problem, but ask your doctor before you make this decision. Uvulopalatopharryngoplasty is the name of the surgery that removes your tonsils or your uvula. Open your mouth and look into the mirror. The soft piece of tissue is your uvula. Run your finger in your mouth and feel the soft tissue around the uvula. That is another section that can be removed from your mouth so that it will not cover your bronchial tubes while sleeping. This surgery may not help all people with sleep apnea, but it can help some.
Another of the sleep apnea causes is that you are overweight. When you gain weight, you gain weight everywhere. Even the soft tissue in your mouth and at the back of your throat can have fatty deposits that can collapse and block your breathing while you are sleeping. You can get a mouth piece fitted and use this device is you have mild sleep apnea, the mouth piece will keep your tongue down and position your jaw so that the you will be able to breathe properly and get a good nights sleep.
The final cause for sleep apnea causes is that the size of your skull and neck bones is shaped in such a way that when you lie down the bones will force the muscles to close over the throat and your peaceful night’s sleep will be ruined. You can ask your doctor to have a continuous airway device prescribed for you. This is an air mask that you wear while you sleep to keep fresh air going into your throat and lungs. This is for extreme cases of sleep apnea, and it could become quite costly.