Sleep Apnea Basics: Some Prevention Tips

Posted by Apnea
Categorized Under: Sleep Apnea Breathing Machine
Dated: 29 Nov 2009
Comments: 0

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by pauses in breathing while you sleep. Basically, once you have this condition, you miss a couple of or more breaths. Although sleep apnea is largely about structural abnormalities – that is, some of the parts of your body are not working at optimum or are not designed properly – it can be prevented. Yes, there are things that you can do to still keep your body from breathing properly. Here are some of them:1. Don’t lie supine.
Sleeping on your back (supine) increases your chances of developing sleep apnea. A very simple explanation of this involves gravity. When you lie on your back, the tissues on your throat “bow down” to the pull of the earth, as such, they block your airway, causing it to narrow.
If you are pre-disposed to sleep apnea and you want to stay away from the CPAP mask – in Toronto or elsewhere – try lying on your side. Studies reveal that this condition happens more (at least twice) to those who lie on their back than to those who lie on their side. By simply doing a simple “lifestyle change,” you are getting rid of that sleep apnea mask.
Still in relation to sleeping positions, you can try using a special pillow that elevates your neck at a certain degree. Sleeping “upright” helps generate more oxygen into your brain. Of course, with more oxygen, you are less likely to wake up just to suck in air. This is indeed a simple method in keeping yourself away from the sleep apnea mask.2. Lose weight.
Obesity is a risk factor of sleep apnea. Therefore, if you are weighing beyond the limits, try losing weight. This approach would not only keep you away from a sleep apnea mask, but it will also help promote total wellness – both in your mind and body. A study conducted in 2000 contends that weight loss results to 26% reduction in risks of developing the condition. Whereas, those who gained weight increased their chances by 6 times!
Weight loss also reduces the incidence of snoring, a phenomenon that’s highly correlated with sleep apnea.3. Use Nasal Strips.
Breathe Right strips and other nasal strips are available over-the-counter. These strips are helpful in preventing snoring. Remember, snoring (at excessive levels, that is) is one of the signs of sleep apnea. Therefore, once you are able to minimize snoring, you are also able to reduce your chances of ever using a sleep apnea mask.4. Stay away from cigarettes and liquor.
Smoking worsens sleep apnea. So if you are a smoker, try quitting now. You must also avoid taking in alcohol at least 4 hours before sleeping as this also increases your chances of developing sleep apnea. By having a clean lifestyle – staying away from cigarettes and liquor – you are doing yourself a favour, as you lessen your chances of ever needing a sleep apnea mask.
Prevention is better than cure indeed! If you are pre-disposed to sleep apnea, might as well take the prevention tips discussed above. That way, you don’t have to deal with machines such as the Respironics CPAP machines – in Toronto or elsewhere. Most of all, you don’t have to worry about missing a precious breath!
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Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

Snoring Relationship? Try the Sleep Apnea Mask in Toronto, Among Other Things

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

According to a study at the University of California in San Diego, sleep apnea can cause a decrease in sexuality and intimacy between partners. Of course, you can safely surmise that this is true everywhere, including in Toronto, regardless of nationality and race precisely because the symptoms of sleep apnea and the effects on relationships are similar the world over.Symptoms that Strain Relationships
There are many symptoms of sleep apnea but the most common that strain relationships pertain to the visible signs. Consider these: Loud snoring akin to a lumberyard in full action, restlessness during sleep resulting to tossing and turning to the distress of the non-sufferer, nighttime choking spells that serve as frightening wake-up calls, and morning and night headaches that get in the way of sexual relations and intimate talks.
All these symptoms on a long-term basis can and will adversely affect a relationship, whether both parties like it or not. It is thus imperative that measures be taken at the soonest time possible!Shore Up a Snoring Relationship
Fortunately, there are treatments for sleep apnea that will help your relationship become better despite your condition.
First, consult a doctor about using a sleep apnea mask. In Toronto, there are many manufacturers that sell these health contraptions that can and will help you breathe better, sleep better and function better.
Of course, using a sleep apnea mask in Toronto, or anywhere else for that matter, requires some adjustments on both your part and that of your partner. You can talk about it to discuss the measures necessary to make it work, let each other know what you feel about this gadget, and work your way towards being comfortable with it.
In time, that sleep apnea mask in Toronto you first wore to bed, in any other places outside of Toronto you shall be comfortable to tote around. After all, it is your health and your relationship at stake here!
Second, you can ask your partner to sleep with you so as to ensure that you can and you will use your sleep apnea mask. In Toronto, with its cold winters and languid summers, it is not difficult to cuddle up especially when the snores go away! No more sleeping in separate quarters, no more being lonely but not alone in the house.
The above mentioned measure is a clinical fact. It has been found out when couples sleep together in the same bed, the sufferer used the sleep apnea mask three-fourths of the time than when they did not sleep together.
Third, and in addition to using the sleep apnea mask, in Toronto doctors will recommend lifestyle changes like weight management, regular sleeping time, quit smoking, avoiding alcohol and specific medicines, and immediately treating nose problems like colds.
Fourth, to reduce the use of the sleep apnea mask, physicians can recommend surgery like a tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. You will, however, be made to undergo further sleep studies to determine if you really need surgery.
When you have been cured of your need for gadgets like the sleep apnea mask, in Toronto and everywhere else you shall have a good night’s sleep! And that would bode well for your relationship suffering the snores of boredom and bad experience.