Best Sleep Apnea Treatments.com

Roughly 45% of adults snore, at the very least occasionally. 25% are regular snorers. Snoring that represents a problem tends to be more likely with overweight people and males, getting steadily worse with age. Towards the back areas of the nose and mouth, if there are any obstructions to the airways, snoring is created.

It has come to light recently that there are long term detrimental health effects from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and also Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS). A range of techniques are available with which to combat this problem. One of these methods is known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP.

CPAP is a contraption that moves air into your airways via a purpose built nasal mask. Enough pressure is maintained by the air flow, during your in-breathing, to keep your airways open. Only you do the breathing though, the machine is literally a facilitator! A range of mask types exist, from minimal lightweight masks positioned more around your nose and jaw area, to larger and heavier types, some looking more like a pair of goggles. Most models have a strap that stretches around the head and a pipe that comes from a pressurizing machine to your nose. Accessories like air filters or humidifiers exist. CPAP is currently the most effective non-surgical method of alleviating problematic snoring.

Your local otolaryngologist will advise if CPAP is suitable for you. If it is you can expect to wear it every night. Additionally a change in lifestyle may well be necessary e.g. quitting smoking, starting a new exercise program or loosing weight.

CPAP has been seen to be almost 100% effective at completely reducing OSA/ UARS. Studies do exist where long-term CPAP use has been less effective, around 70%. Some people have been known to find the equipment quite claustrophobic or hard to use at the time of traveling. In these cases surgery has often been decided upon.

CPAP may be the answer to your sleeping problems if:
– Your friends and family are frequently disturbed by your loud snoring – During the day you are often tired – You frequently wake up during the night – Headaches and tiredness is common in the morning – You have frequent bouts of obstructed breathing whilst asleep

A number of considerations are made regarding lifestyle factors (e.g. cigarettes and alcohol), your cardiovascular condition and your past medical history. In addition your airways will be assessed by a physical and also otorhinolaryngological (throat, nose and ears) examination.

A sleep study will be required, before the CPAP mask is given to you, to set the correct CPAP pressure. Once this final procedure is completed all the appropriate requirements for your condition and usage of CPAP will be understood.

Do you suffer from sleep deprivation? You know by now how you feel without a good night sleep: tiredness, irritability and a loss of concentration are high on the side effects list for insomnia. Therefore, it is very important that you find your cause of insomnia and an insomnia cure as soon as possible.

Sleep deprivation and sleep apnea affects our nervous systems by leaving us drowsy and unable to concentrate. Even losing sleep a few nights a week can significantly impair your ability to function and decrease the quality of your life. Not getting enough sleep also leads to poor memory. If sleep deprivation continues, hallucinations and mood swings will develop. In the same vein, sleeping problems are common in both mental and physical disorders including schizophrenia and depression, stroke, cancer, and head injuries.

Insomnia treatment and cure: For getting a proper sleep at night, do the following:

Sleep only when sleepy. This reduces the time you are awake in bed.

If you can not fall asleep within 25 minutes, just get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy. Sit quietly in the dark listen to some nice relaxing music. Do not expose yourself to bright light while you are up.

Do not take naps. This will make you tired at bedtime. If you just cannot make it through the day without a power nap, sleep less than one hour, before 4 pm.

Go to bed and get up the same time every day. When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel much better.

Refrain from exercise at least four hours before bedtime. Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with your sleep.

Develop sleep rituals. Listen to relaxing cds, read something soothing for twenty minutes, have a cup of warm milk, and do relaxation exercises.

Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol at least four hours before bed. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Alcohol may seem to help you sleep in the beginning as it slows brain activity, but you will end up having a restless night.

Have a light snack before you go to bed. If your tummy is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a big meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well.

Take a hot bath ninety minutes before bedtime. This will relax your body and will help you fall asleep.

Make sure your bedroom and bed are quiet and comfortable.

Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as having a proper healthy diet and exercising to keep a healthy body. A good night sleep makes your skin look fresh and it also helps make your brain more alert. Though in a busy lifestyle we always try to sacrifice sleep for work but it is very important that you set aside enough hours for some good old-fashioned beauty sleep. The average person needs eight hours of sleep, while infants need sixteen hours of sleep, and teenagers need about nine hours.

Scientists believe that sleep maintains and repairs our bodies and minds. Every night we cycle through three stages of sleep ranging from light sleep to deep sleep, and finally, to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. A complete sleep cycle takes ninety to one hundred minutes on average. While we sleep our brains are using important neuronal connections that might otherwise get worse from lack of activity. During deep sleep, brain activity that control emotions, decision-making processes, and social interaction stops, allowing us to maintain optimal emotional and social functioning when we are awake. Cell repair and cell growth takes place to combat the affects of stress and UV rays in this stage as well. Hence, deep sleep is really beauty sleep.

Sleep also strengthens our immune system and helps our bodies fight infection. This is because our immune system releases a sleep inducing chemical while fighting a flu or an infection. Sleep helps the body conserve energy and other resources that the immune system requires to mount an effective attack. Start your insomnia treatment as soon as possible to prevent sleep deprivation.

It may be difficult to know whether you suffer from typical or excessive snoring. A large part of the problem comes from the fact that it can be difficult to diagnose your own snoring habits while you are asleep. Perhaps the most useful information would come from a spouse, who may be awoken through the night as a result of the snoring. He/she will be more familiar with your snoring and may be able to offer an opinion as to whether they notice excessive snoring.
So, just what is excessive snoring? Perhaps it could best be defined as repetitive, loud, disruptive and continual. Regular snoring is often the result of the airway passages becoming restricted through the night. This is generally caused by the fatty tissues relaxing in the back of the throat and causing a vibration, which is snoring. Excessive snoring, however, may be a sign of something much more serious. In fact, excessive snoring is a direct symptom of sleep apnea. Sufferers of this disorder actually stop breathing on more than one occasion during the night. This results from the airways becoming completely blocked and, if left untreated, sleep apnea may lead to heart disease, a stroke or other serious medical problem.
If you suffer from excessive snoring, it may be time to consider visiting the doctor for a proper diagnosis. If it is determined that you have sleep apnea, you may need treatment to prevent the disorder from causing further problems. If you simply suffer from excessive snoring, there may be various snoring remedies that can curb your nighttime nuisance. Among them, sleeping on your side instead of your back, ridding your home of allergens, losing weight if previously diagnosed with obesity, giving up cigarettes and alcohol, etc. In addition, some anti-snoring devices may be able to stop snoring immediately. One such device, known as the Sleep Genie, is doctor approved and comfortably supports the jaw while keeping the mouth closed during sleep. It is virtually impossible to snore with your mouth closed, which is why the Sleep Genie is popular among snoring sufferers. It is important to remember that the Sleep Genie is not intended to cure sleep apnea, but rather help to eliminate snoring and add better quality sleep.
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.
One of the most effective ways to cure sleep apnea is through weight loss. Obesity is one of the leading causes of sleep apnea and, therefore, is a large part of it’s cure. By beginning a well-balanced program consisting of diet and exercise, you will not only be helping to cure sleep apnea, but also taking a big step toward warding off future illnesses associated with obesity.
It is important to remember that only a physician can properly diagnose sleep apnea. This is confirmed through a series of questions and possibly a sleep study, which is when the patient spends the night at a sleep center where there breathing patterns are monitored. After every possible attempt to cure sleep apnea has proven unsuccessful, a physician may recommend surgery. Before electing for surgery, the patient should be aware of all risks associated with the procedure. At the same time, it is very important to cure sleep apnea or suffer the increased risks of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. Many physicians will recommend use of a device called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device, which provides continual air pressure for the sufferer throughout the night. Some users of the CPAP machine find additional comfort with the Sleep Genie, which helps the mouth to remain closed and prevents the escape of the CPAP air treatments. While not intended as a cure for sleep apnea, the Sleep Genie often provides for better quality sleep to sufferers.
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be used as, or in place of, professional medical advice. Before beginning any treatment for snoring, please consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and remedy.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor s book (Irish Proverb). However, getting to sleep is sometimes the problem. With all our pressures, problems and pains of everyday living, it is no wonder that millions suffer from sleep disorders. According to a national survey, 54% of adults said they have experienced insomnia at one time or another. Additionally, back pain, neck stiffness, muscle injuries and menopause can add to sleeplessness.

Today, pillows are not just something fluffy to place beneath our head at night. They are chiropractor approved, sleep doctor designed and specifically created to assist in pain relief, snoring cessation, spinal alignment, neck support, headache relief, joint strain pain, arthritis relief, sleep apnea and much more, while accommodating and stabilizing injuries and conditions. The basic sleeping pillow filled with foam or feathers is a thing of the past.

The fillings for pillows have also changed. Feathers and foam are still available, but new materials have been introduced such as buckwheat hulls, mustard seeds, memory foam and new types of fiber. Added to that are pillows filled with air and/or water and magnetic therapy pillows. These different surfaces provide different types and levels of support for the body and can, over time, heal and correct certain conditions such as degenerative discs, sleep apnea, snoring, insomnia, etc.

How often have you had to punch your pillow into a shape that supports your neck and is comfortable for sleeping? Most of us have had to do this at one time or another. Now, pillows are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Listed below are a few specific pillows designed to aid sleep:

• Econo Wave Pillow: this pillow has a wavy surface to allow air to circulate while soothing and supporting the neck.

• Buckwheat Hull or Mustard Seed Pillows: these pillows can conform to any shape, come in a multitude of sizes, provide air circulation, help reduce stiff neck and insomnia and come in a variety of scents. Mustard seeds are also believed to relieve backache, joint pain, muscle aches, rheumatism or migraine headaches, while buckwheat hulls provide support and cooling of the head and neck and can help reduce stiff neck and insomnia.

• Air Core Adjustable Pillow: a cervical fiber pillow with a trapezoid shaped center that adjusts the level of support using an air pump and can reduce snoring by correcting blocked airways.

• AquaCore 3 in 1 Pillow: This pillow consists of fiber, resilient foam, plus and easy, fill to your level water cushion that addresses the cause of pain and restores proper neck curvature.

• Leg Spacer: This specialty pillow helps relieve pressure and strain on the lower back, knees and ankles and helps relax muscles while sleeping by placing the pillow between your knees.

• Headache Ice Pillo: This pillow uses medically recommended cold therapy in treating dull, moderate and severe tension or migraine headaches.

• Dreamzz Magnetic Sleeping Pillow: Get a great sleep and wake up refreshed while sleeping on this pillow that produces a calming therapeutic magnetic field that soothes away tension and stress while sleeping.

Pillows are also available for neck support, back support and headache relief:

• The Magnetic Lumbar Pillow is a half roll foam pillow that relieves pain due to muscle strains, sprains, sciatica and herniated discs by delivering a deep penetrating bio north magnetic field.

• The Jackson Roll is a versatile fiber filled support pillow that provides comfort and support for muscle and joint pain, as well as adding curvature to your spine. (I can personally attest that this works to help relieve the pain of degenerative discs.)

• The Soothe A Ciser foam pillow helps relieve headaches and neck pain.

These are just a few of the pillows offered on the market today, along with many others that address specific conditions or injuries. The response of the public to these specialty pillows has been tremendous and will grow in popularity as sleep conditions, sleep disorders and aches and pains multiply. Also, these pillows provide a noninvasive method of relieving and perhaps eliminating pain without medication or surgery.

http://www.spineshoppe.com

You or someone you know may suffer from a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This is a breathing disorder during sleep that can have a negative effect on your quality of life when left untreated. The best treatment for OSA is a therapy that utilizes a machine called a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device (CPAP). This air pressure is delivered to your airway by a mask that covers your nose and sometimes both your nose and mouth. The success of your treatment with CPAP will depend on your ability to find the mask that works best for you. One size does not fit all with CPAP masks.

Several different brands and designs of CPAP masks exist. There are nasal masks that fit over the nose and full face masks that fit over both the nose and the mouth, usually preferred by those who tend to breathe through their mouths when they sleep. Nasal “pillows” are inserted into the nares and provide the least claustrophobic effect. With so many choices here are some things to consider before choosing the mask that is best for you.

Do you have a nasal blockage of any type? If you answer yes, then you will probably be better served to use a full face mask as mentioned in the above section.

Do you naturally breathe through your nose or your mouth? Choosing a mask that fits your needs based on this answer will aid in a more natural transition to CPAP therapy.

Do you breathe through your nose and your mouth? Using a full face mask will allow mixed delivery of air to both your nose and your mouth as your breathing patterns change during the night.

Do you ever feel claustrophobic? If so, a mask that provides a free field of vision may suit you better. Masks with obtrusive interfaces may not work well for you.

Do you scuba dive or snorkel? An oral mask slips into your mouth in a similar manner to what you are used to with a diver’s mouthpiece.

Are you comfortable with the feel of a hat or a cap? Masks with headgear are similar in feel to wearing a hat. They are generally lightweight and comfortable.

Would you prefer the freedom of little or no headgear? If so, a direct nasal or oral mask may work for you the best.

Using CPAP to treat sleep apnea can change your life for the better in so many ways. You will feel rested during the day. Your blood pressure can get under control. You will have energy and a desire to get out and enjoy life again. Your organs will get the oxygen they need while you sleep at night. But to enjoy all of these benefits you must choose the best path to success with your machine. This begins and ends with CPAP masks.

It’s not just the economy that keeps many of us wide-awake in the dark – although it certainly doesn’t help!

Sleep disorders are becoming more and more common in todays’ ‘hurry-hurry, busy-busy’ world. With so much to do, and so little time, sleep is starting to be seen as a luxury rather than a necessity. But your body disagrees wholeheartedly.

Sleep is absolutely necessary to your physical and emotional health, and when we don’t pay attention to our bodys’ need for our full 8 hours of sleep, there’s a price to pay.

INSOMNIA

A dictionary definition of insomnia is… ‘a prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep’. This could mean you have difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep. You may climb into bed and then lie awake until 1am staring at the ceiling. Or maybe you fall asleep right away, but wake up at 1am….and again at 2am…. and again at 3:30am… you get the picture. You may even fall asleep, stay that way for a few hours and then wake at 4am and stay that way until your alarm clock goes off.

All these scenarios can be covered by the term ‘insomnia’, and this sleep disorder can have physical or emotional causes. When we’re stressed to the max, or going through an emotional upheaval, it can interfere with our sleep patterns. Many cases of insomnia fall under the ‘Transient Insomnia’ heading, and can last for just a couple of nights, to one week. ‘Short-term Insomnia’ covers sleep disturbances lasting anywhere between one week and one month, while ‘Chronic Insomnia’ can go on indefinitely.

And it’s not just adults that suffer from insomnia, increasing numbers of teenagers and younger children are also finding sleep difficult to come by. There are many approaches to treating insomnia, these include :

Improving your sleep hygiene and setting up a regular bedtime routine/sleep schedule

Paying close attention to your diet – certain drinks/foods/activities can make it more difficult to sleep well. It’s also been found that other foods/drinks can increase your chances of getting a good nights’ sleep

Reducing stress and anxiety levels with alternative remedies such as relaxation or hypnotherapy techniques, aromatherapy and more

SLEEP APNEA

This sleep disorders’ name is derived from the Greek word ‘apnoia’, which simply translated, means ‘without breath’. And that describes it pretty well. Sleep apnea sufferers literally stop breathing multiple times during sleep, and they may or may not, be aware of it! Excessive snoring, accompanied by snorting/grunting/gasping sounds, is the prime symptom of this disorder, and is often most easily recognized by the sufferers’ sleeping partner or roommate. If you think you are getting a full nights’ sleep, but feel constantly exhausted, sleep apnea may be be the culprit.

There are serious health issues which can result from untreated sleep apnea, in addition to chronic daytime sleepiness, these may include often waking up with a sore/dry throat, recurrent/persistent heartburn, frequent waking during the night with the feeling that you’re gasping for breath, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart irregularities (such as palpitations or ‘pounding’) and more.

Luckily, sleep apnea is easily treated using CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure). Sufferers wear a mask attached to a machine that provides a constant flow of air into their lungs while asleep. This keeps the airways open and prevents the episodes of apnea.

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME

Also known as RLS, this sleep disorders’ name is pretty self-explanatory. People with RLS experience an uncomfortable sensation in their legs (it can vary from person to person and has been described as a ‘crawling/prickling/cramping feeling (and other similar terms).

This feeling makes it extremely uncomfortable, even impossible, to keep your legs still…. hence the name! Although scientists and researchers still have a lot to learn about this disorder, there are certain conditions and activities that they believe cause (or contribute to) Restless Leg Syndrome, they include ;

Being overweight or obese

Having ADHD

Hormonal fluctuations – such as during pregnancy, or menopause

Certain illnesses including anemia, arthritis, diabetes and others

There are a few medications that are available to treat RLS, but for many people finding (and eliminating) the ‘trigger’ behind their restless legs, and/or using massage, relaxation or exercise techniques are very effective.

SNORING

Researchers estimate that about half of all the adults in the US snore, and about 50% of them do so chronically (on a regular basis). Quite a number of children and teens also experience this. Although snoring is sometimes thought of as a bit of a joke, it’s not funny to the sufferer and most definitely not amusing to his sleeping partner or room mate/s!

The most common causes of snoring are enlarged tonsils or adenoids, being overweight or obese, allergies and poor muscle tone in the throat due to smoking/alcohol/aging. There are also several others.

Figuring out what is causing you to snore is vital, and your doctor can help here. If your snoring is severe, or accompanied by gasping/snorting/coughing and so on, consider Sleep Apnea as a possibility.

There are all kinds of treatments for snoring, from losing weight or giving up alcohol, to dental appliances, minor surgery and more.

NARCOLEPSY

This sleep disorder is much less common than the ones mentioned above, but it is pretty disruptive and often scary for people who experience it.

It’s characterized by an overwhelming desire to sleep, and narcolepsy sufferers are at risk of falling asleep at any time whether they’re working, driving or participating in any other daily activity. This is obviously a dangerous situation.

Other symptoms of narcolepsy sometimes include sudden muscle weakness or sleep paralysis, and vivid hallucination-like dreams which occur just as they fall asleep or wake up. Although there isn’t a cure for narcolepsy just yet, there are various treatment options which are effective at controlling the symptoms so that sufferers can live their lives normally (and safely!).

Sleep is so important to the human body that you will actually die if you’re deprived of sleep indefinitely. Even on a less dramatic scale, it’s certainly very destructive to your health to go without adequate sleep on a regular basis.

If you are always exhausted, you’re emotions are volatile, your patience/temper is short, you seem to be extra ‘clumsy’ or are always having minor accidents, if you frequently feel drowsy when driving…………… or there are any other signs that you are not getting enough restful sleep, it’s very important to see your doctor.

He/she will be able to find out what is causing the problem and prescribe treatment, or even refer you to a sleep lab or sleep clinic for further evaluation.

Have you ever noticed how often snoring is used to get a laugh on TV sitcoms and cartoons? Actually, thereâ??s nothing funny about it. Snoring is a serious medical and social problem that can cause social ridicule, sleeplessness, and a host of serious health problems including obstructive sleep apnea. 25% of adults snore habitually. And without treatment, it doesnâ??t get any better. While overweight males are at the greatest risk, women are not immune, and the problem only grows worse as we age.

Why Do We Snore?

Snoring occurs when the passages at the back of the mouth and nose do not have a free flow of air. This is called â??obstructionâ?? and usually occurs when the soft tissues in that area collapse during sleep, causing the tongue to meet briefly with the soft palate (top part of your mouth in the back) and the uvula (the â??bellâ?? in the back of your throat). The vibrations are what cause the snoring sound.

Snorers may also suffer from:

· Poor oral muscle tone. Relaxed tongue and throat muscles can cut off airflow. Deep sleep, alcohol and sleep medications can contribute to poor muscle tone.

· Large tonsils and adenoids. Excess throat tissue can cause snoring. This is why children sometimes snore. Being overweight can cause excess neck tissue, which is why snoring is more common in overweight individuals. Rarely, a cyst or tumors can be the problem.

· Long uvula and/or soft palate. Individuals with a â??long palateâ?? have a narrower opening between the nose and throat that can create noise during the relaxed breathing of deep sleep. A longer than normal uvula worsens the situation.

· Nasal airway obstruction. Stuffy noses do not have a free flow of air. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a stuffed up nose creates a strong pull on floppy throat tissues, causing a snoring sound. That is why some people experience snoring only during hay fever attacks, a cold or a sinus infection.

· Nose or nasal septum deformities, such as a deviated septum, can cause obstruction.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea often begins with snoring, but can be far more serious. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when snoring is punctuated by long absences of sound lasting ten seconds or more that can happen up to 300 times per night. This lack of sound means the individual is not breathing in between bursts of snoring. Health risks are great and include low blood oxygen levels that make the heart work much harder to bring oxygen to the blood.

Individuals affected with sleep apnea sleep lightly and cannot relax deeply enough to allow sufficient airflow to the lungs. The snorer is left with night after night of poor rest, as well as:

· Daytime sleepiness

· Increased mood swings

· Depression

· Impaired job performance

· Hazardous driving, especially if the individual operates heavy equipment

· Elevated blood pressure

· Enlargement of the heart

Have you ever noticed how often snoring is used to get a laugh on TV sitcoms and cartoons? Actually, thereâ??s nothing funny about it. Snoring is a serious medical and social problem that can cause social ridicule, sleeplessness, and a host of serious health problems including obstructive sleep apnea. 25% of adults snore habitually. And without treatment, it doesnâ??t get any better. While overweight males are at the greatest risk, women are not immune, and the problem only grows worse as we age.

Why Do We Snore?

Snoring occurs when the passages at the back of the mouth and nose do not have a free flow of air. This is called â??obstructionâ?? and usually occurs when the soft tissues in that area collapse during sleep, causing the tongue to meet briefly with the soft palate (top part of your mouth in the back) and the uvula (the â??bellâ?? in the back of your throat). The vibrations are what cause the snoring sound.

Snorers may also suffer from:

· Poor oral muscle tone. Relaxed tongue and throat muscles can cut off airflow. Deep sleep, alcohol and sleep medications can contribute to poor muscle tone.

· Large tonsils and adenoids. Excess throat tissue can cause snoring. This is why children sometimes snore. Being overweight can cause excess neck tissue, which is why snoring is more common in overweight individuals. Rarely, a cyst or tumors can be the problem.

· Long uvula and/or soft palate. Individuals with a â??long palateâ?? have a narrower opening between the nose and throat that can create noise during the relaxed breathing of deep sleep. A longer than normal uvula worsens the situation.

· Nasal airway obstruction. Stuffy noses do not have a free flow of air. The extra effort it takes to breathe through a stuffed up nose creates a strong pull on floppy throat tissues, causing a snoring sound. That is why some people experience snoring only during hay fever attacks, a cold or a sinus infection.

· Nose or nasal septum deformities, such as a deviated septum, can cause obstruction.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea often begins with snoring, but can be far more serious. Obstructive sleep apnea occurs when snoring is punctuated by long absences of sound lasting ten seconds or more that can happen up to 300 times per night. This lack of sound means the individual is not breathing in between bursts of snoring. Health risks are great and include low blood oxygen levels that make the heart work much harder to bring oxygen to the blood.

Individuals affected with sleep apnea sleep lightly and cannot relax deeply enough to allow sufficient airflow to the lungs. The snorer is left with night after night of poor rest, as well as:

· Daytime sleepiness

· Increased mood swings

· Depression

· Impaired job performance

· Hazardous driving, especially if the individual operates heavy equipment

· Elevated blood pressure

· Enlargement of the heart

Sleep Apnea is a serious condition that causes the patient to stop breathing for short periods throughout the night. It keeps the patient from getting a good night sleep but it also has more serious repercussions. It has been estimated that 104 people die each day from sleep apnea related cardiovascular disease. It is also estimated that there are 18 million sleep apnea sufferers in the United States and only 10 – 15% are even diagnosed. Even more significant is that those who comply with their treatment may only be 40% of those who were prescribed treatment.
Admittedly, a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is difficult to get used to. It requires the sleep apnea patient to wear a mask while sleeping that provides a pressurized airflow. Pillows are often a hindrance to using the mask for the CPAP sufferer. The problem is not as significant when sleeping on one’s back but many people prefer to sleep on their sides. This is difficult with a normal bed pillow and a CPAP machine. The pillow will often push against the mask of the CPAP aparatus putting pressure on the mask and face of the wearer. This will cause discomfort but more importantly it can break the seal of the mask making treatment ineffective.
A new patent pending pillow to help eliminate these problems for CPAP users is now available. The designer of this pillow is a CPAP user himself so he is very aware of the issues and problems associated with sleeping with the CPAP mask. He knows the difficulty of getting used to the CPAP machine and he determined to eliminate more complications from rectangular pillows placed on the CPAP wearer.
Key in this specially designed CPAP pillow is the strategic shape to eliminate the pressure on the mask from the pillow when sleeping on one’s side while wearing a CPAP mask. This pillow is contoured in the shape of a butterfly to effectively eliminate pressure caused by a rectangular pillow. The Psyche Pillow is an attractive pillow unlike other CPAP pillows that are scooped out rectangular pillows. The neck support is also an important design feature. Whether the user is sleeping on her side or her back, proper neck support is important in comfort and in providing clear air passageways for breathing.
The pillow is made from a very high quality, American memory foam. Cheaper memory foam from overseas did not meet the quality, longevity and comfort standards like quality foam made in the United States. The inventor strongly supports products made in the U.S. Therefore he has used high quality materials made in the U.S.
CPAP users are also concerned about managing the hose connected to the CPAP mask. A hose that gets tangled or flops around at night is a bother to the apnea sufferer and to his or her partner. Therefore this pillow was designed to hold the hose securely enough not to get tangled or to be a nuisance but it holds the hose loosely enough for the sleeper to move comfortably.
Finally the pillow was designed with an advanced quilted wicking material to minimize heat and perspiration on warm nights while remaining warm and comfortable on cool nights. This pillow also by design helps to manage the body temperature and perspiration of the sleepers face.
If you or someone you love is a CPAP user, you know or need to know the importance of following through with CPAP treatment. There are serious health problems associated with untreated sleep apnea which can shorten the life of the sufferer and diminish his or her quality of life as well. The designer of the Psyche CPAP Pillow decided that something as simple as a pillow should not stand in the way of effective treatment. This pillow is already getting outstanding praise. See what others are saying, purchase this pillow or learn more about it at the website below.

Snoring has long been a prevalent condition upsetting many people’s lives. Nearly 50% of middle-aged adults have some episode of snoring in their lifetime. Let’s see, that is about 75 million Americans. Talk about making a lot of noise!

Some people are regular snorers; others not so much. The degree of loudness also varies with each individual. The odd thing about it is that snoring is accepted as normal. People don’t often think about it as anything more than an inconvenience maybe because it’s difficult to find ways to stop snoring. We tend to think it is an accepted part of growing older.

Well how many of us have slept with someone that keeps them up all night with their snoring? It can be a nightmare. And, no one talks about the consequences it has on a person’s health. There is more evidence that snoring is not just a nuisance but is connected to increased morbidity rates including cardiovascular disease, impaired cognitive function, sleep apnea, diabetes and obesity. Not to mention not being able to stay awake at your day job and the accidents that can happen as a result!

Several factors can influence the snoring as well as its intensity such as:

- Age

- Alcohol

- Prolonged inactivity

- Tobacco smoking

- Sedative drugs

- Narcotics

- Sleep position, and

- Stages of sleep

Sleep position, sleep architecture, and breathing routes provide some clues as to what structures are restricting airflow which in turn leads to increased respiratory resistance, or snoring. For instance, if you are sleeping on your back with your mouth closed, the most likely airway obstruction is the result of your tongue falling into the back of your throat caused by gravity.

If you are sleeping on your back with your mouth open, the lower jaw and tongue as also subjected to gravity and this can cause a subsequent collapse of the airway which magnifies the obstruction. Sleeping on your side lessens the influence of gravity but does not necessarily stop snoring.

It’s natural for people to change sleep position during the night. In response, the snoring mechanism also changes. Multiple parts of the upper airway can obstruct the airflow differently. This is one reason doctors find it difficult to recommend surgery because it’s hard to identify the exact offending structure. In part, this could be why surgery success rates for snoring are so low.

We tend to laugh at snorers and make jokes about them. But in reality, snoring is not a laughing matter. It can be a serious and even life-threatening situation.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is considered a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep. Each episode lasts long enough so that one or more breaths are missed. This can happen repeatedly throughout the night and the interval between breaths is typically at least 10 seconds. Clinically significant levels of sleep apnea are defined as five or more episodes per hour.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common category of sleep-disordered breathing, and it requires treatment to prevent sleep deprivation and other complications including congestive heart failure. Combine OSA with being overweight, and you have an even bigger problem.

Breathing can continue to become shallower until it actually stops for a period of time, at first short periods of time that can become longer, with the cycle repeating all night long. This can lead to more serious health problems.

How is Snoring and Sleep Apnea Treated?

Some treatments involve lifestyle changes such as avoiding alcohol or muscle relaxants. You will probably be told to lose weight and quit smoking. Many people benefit from sleeping at a 30 degree angle or higher as if in a recliner because gravity has less of a chance to get at your breathing patterns and collapse your airway.

Sleeping on your side as opposed to your back is recommended but rarely solves the whole problem. Some people find benefit from various kinds of oral appliances that are used in the mouth during sleep and help keep the airway open.

Equipment called “breathing machines” like the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may help also. And, there are surgical procedures that can be used to remove and tighten tissue and/or widen your airway. Of course, surgery should be a last resort.

Dr. Walter Fong in Southern California believes there currently are no products that can cure snoring. He has developed a method called the Silent Night Treatment which involves retraining your muscles that he claims has had a significant impact on snoring for many of his patients.

One patient, Tom Burton, who tried Dr. Fong’s method said, “I went from being a 30+ year strong snorer to a light, occasional snorer from the first day of using the Silent Night Treatment.”

As we pay more attention to snoring and its affects on our health, it’s clear that taking the time to deal with the cause of snoring is very important if we want to age gracefully.