News
CPAP masks that fit your lifestyle
wp:paragraph So you’re just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you’ve been told that using a CPAP machine will be essential for your treatment. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Needless to say, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed, and uneasy about these changes in your life that you are about to make. That is completely understandable, who wouldn’t be? Probably what may freak you out the most is the idea of having to wear a big mask over your face all night, and having your partner never look at you the same way again. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph However, what is important to remember, is that the positive aspects of a CPAP machine outweigh the negative aspects by far. Imagine how nice it would be to wake up feeling refreshed, and to spend your day being productive, as opposed to only thinking about hitting the pillow at the end of the day. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Since you will be face-to-face (literally) with the CPAP mask, it is important to find the one that you feel the most comfortable with. There are three different types of CPAP masks that are sold on the Pap Smart website: /wp:paragraph wp:list Nasal masks: these masks only cover your nose, but have straps around the sides to keep it in place (great for people who move around a lot in their sleep!) There is a soft piece around the mask to help keep it sealed. Full face masks: these masks cover most of your face (mouth and nose) also held in place with side straps. This is a good choice for people who are “mouth-breathers” and have difficulty breathing through their just their nose, especially as you are sleeping. Nasal pillow masks have a cushion that goes under your nose like a “pillow”. As opposed to the larger masks that cover your face, these masks just have side straps that keep the mask in place. This is a good choice for people who may feel claustrophobic with a full face mask or who prefer a full field or vision for reading or watching TV. /wp:list wp:paragraph Visit our website at papsmart.com and find the mask that is right for you. /wp:paragraph
Learn more
OSA and CSA: do you know the difference?
wp:paragraph We all know by now that the general definition of sleep apnea is when you stop breathing while you sleep. But did you know that sleep apnea actually comes in two different forms? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The two main types of sleep apnea are called Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). While they are both forms of sleep apnea, the cause for the pause in breathing is actually different, and they each have different characteristics associated with them. /wp:paragraph wp:list Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common form of sleep apnea, occurs when your airway gets blocked, either completely or partially, causing you to stop breathing. When breathing resumes, there is often a loud gasp or snort, which can interfere with a deep sleep. It is often overweight, middle-aged men who get sleep apnea, especially this type. The CPAP machine, in addition to other lifestyle changes, is the best form of treatment for OSA. Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) occurs when your brain doesn’t send the proper signals to the muscles that control your breathing. This is different from OSA as there is not a blockage in the airway, but a neurological issue that causes you to stop breathing in your sleep. CSA is often brought on by other medical conditions and it is less common than OSA. /wp:list wp:paragraph The main difference is that with OSA, the effort is made to try and inhale as you stop breathing, yet no air can get into the lungs. With CSA, no effort is made at all by the body to restart your breathing. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Experts also acknowledge that it is not uncommon to have both forms of sleep apnea. So this is why it is important to seek help from your doctor if you think you have either form of sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreEvolution of Snoring Treatments
wp:paragraph Snoring, or “sleep disordered breathing,” can be quite a nuisance to many people. Many couples end up sleeping in separate rooms, or even splitting up as a result of loud snoring. But the good news is that there are many ways, nowadays, to treat nighttime snoring. Flash back to 30 years ago, and the treatment for snoring was, well, not much at all. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3595,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph It’s important to remember that just because you snore at night doesn’t mean that you are always going to be a snorer. There are ways to treat it. Medical research has also come a long way in figuring out what causes snoring in the first place. People often assume that they have sleep apnea if they snore, but this is not always the case. Other factors, such as stress, drugs, alcohol or even a common cold can cause you to sound like a bulldozer at night. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The most common sleep apnea treatment, CPAP, first came into effect in the 1980’s. This is what a lot of snoring problems end up coming back to. The treatment for sleep apnea is generally a CPAP, or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure mask. This helps to open your airway and keep you breathing all night when you sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If your doctor has done the tests and has rules out sleep apnea, they may recommend other treatments to prevent the snoring. Needless to say, if your snoring is caused by a lifestyle factor, then eliminating or changing that factor would be the ideal prevention. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If your snoring is something that is recurring, then it’s time to see a doctor and see if anything can be done for you. And be glad that there are ways to solve this! Treating your snoring problem can help you live a happy and productive life and save your relationship too! /wp:paragraph
Learn more
Feeling Blue? It may be sleep apnea
wp:paragraph It’s no secret that living with undiagnosed sleep apnea can be, well, depressing. But did you know that studies have shown a link between both obstructive sleep apnea and major depressive disorder? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For all you sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea, if you find yourself feeling down in the dumps and not yourself during the day, there is a good chance that you may have depression. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Believe it or not, depression and sleep apnea actually have a very close relationship. We all know by now that sleep apnea can make a person stop breathing for short periods of time in their sleep. This causes them to feel tired and exhausted the next morning, which can trigger some symptoms of depression. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph A study done from 2005 to 2008 in the U.S. by Anne Wheaton, PhD, has indicated that the more a person stops breathing in their sleep, the more likely they are to show symptoms of major depressive disorder. And according to an article from the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, people who suffer from depression also tend to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The estimated ratio is approximately 5 to 1 for those with depression who also have sleep apnea, as oppose to those who don’t. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph While that last statistic may sound alarmingly high, it does not mean that you are doomed for life. Simply seeking medical treatment before it gets worse can help a lot. While research has not yet indicated that treating for depression will help you sleep better, a good start would be to treat the sleep apnea so that you sleep better at night and can have a happier and more productive day. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is why it is important to seek medical treatment if you exhibit symptoms of depression or sleep apnea (or both). As overwhelming as it may be now, treating sleep apnea is something that could also save your life in the long run. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:core-embed/wordpress {"url":"http://curemysleepapnea.com/depression-obstructive-sleep-apnea/","type":"wp-embed","providerNameSlug":"sleep-apnea-treatment-centers-of-america","className":""} http://curemysleepapnea.com/depression-obstructive-sleep-apnea/ /wp:core-embed/wordpress wp:paragraph http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/news/20120330/sleep-apnea-linked-depression /wp:paragraph
Learn more
Sleep Apnea and your heart
wp:paragraph By now, you know that sleep apnea can have some negative effects on your body if it is left untreated. One of those effects has to do with one of the most important organs in your body: your heart. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph According to an interview with Dr. Virend K Somers with the National Sleep Foundation, the connection between sleep apnea and heart disease is evolving very rapidly. This means that many people with heart disease, high blood pressure or other similar cardiovascular issues often have sleep apnea as well. Left untreated, this could cause a massive heart attack at any time, causing even worse problems for your body. It could even kill you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Although it may sound scary, the good news is that once you treat the sleep apnea, it will significantly improve the heart risk and improve your quality of life. That’s serious motivation to seek treatment if you think you have sleep apnea! /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph More specifically, the CPAP machine can help quite a bit with improving any pre-existing cardiovascular problems you may have. For example, obstructive sleep apnea tends to raise your blood pressure if you already have another heart condition to deal with. But the CPAP machine can actually help to lower your blood pressure at night, in addition, it can also work or lowering your blood pressure throughout the day. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you think you have sleep apnea, seek treatment! Your heart will thank you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-apnea-and-heart-disease /wp:paragraph
Learn moreSleep tips for runners
wp:paragraph For all you runners out there, the night before a marathon run can feel like the night before Christmas. On the one night where getting enough sleep is crucial to your performance the next day, it’s easy to forgo sleeping in favor of tossing and turning and lying awake in anticipation. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This is no time to skimp out on the shut-eye. Tired and groggy are two things you do NOT want to feel on the day of a big race that you’ve spent countless weeks training for. Sleeping right is just as important as eating right and it is very important that you make sleep a priority, especially the week before the race. Don’t feel bad if you have to pass on some other commitments in order to get the proper 8 hours per night that you need. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3574,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph Here are some tips to keep in mind when preparing for your next big marathon: /wp:paragraph wp:list Make sure your room is the perfect sleeping environment: keep the room cool and dark and keep your electronic devices out of the room Before you go to sleep, take 5 minutes to yourself and relax. Get yourself into a position that is comfortable for you and focus on your deep breathing. Take this time to mentally compose yourself and push away any negative thoughts that are dragging you down before the race. Get organized. The week before the race, plan out exactly what you’re going to wear and exactly what you’re going to eat so you won’t have to think of it the morning of. Take it a step further by making yourself a to-do list so that you don’t forget anything. Don’t stress! While being a little bit nervous is not a bad thing at all, stressing about a race too much can impede on your final race time. Stay calm and relaxed and just imagine the pride you’ll feel once it’s all over with. /wp:list wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.runnersworld.com/health/eight-tips-for-improving-pre-race-sleep?cid=NL_TrainingExtra_1836764_09092014_EightTipsforImprovingPreRaceSleep /wp:paragraph
Learn moreWorking CPAP into your life: 10 tips to make it easier
wp:paragraph So you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you have been told by your doctor that you have to use a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine in order to treat this condition. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph This will be a bit of a change for your lifestyle and for your bedtime routine. You may feel embarrassed to have to wear this around your partner and you may feel like you’re that awkward kid with the braces in grade 7. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3571,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph However, the bottom line is this: the machine, as un-glamourous as it may be, could actually help in saving your life, and all in all, it will make your quality of life tremendously better. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Here are 10 tips to make the transition easier for integrating the CPAP machine into your sleep routine: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Think of it as a gift to your partner, who wants to sleep next to a loud snorer? This will help the snoring significantly. Learn everything you can about the machine so that it seems less intimidating. Choose the mask that’s right for YOU. There are many different types out there; it’s just about finding the right one. Keep the parts of the machine clean so that it works properly. Think about connecting with other sleep apnea sufferers who, like you, have to a CPAP machine each night. See if your doctor knows of any support groups or ways to connect with people going through the same thing as you. Think about making other lifestyle changes to make this easier, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. While it likely won’t cure the sleep apnea, it will make it much easier to deal with. Practice good sleep hygiene: avoid caffeine or large meals before bedtime, stick to a regular routine every night, and use the bed only for sleeping. Try to use earplugs to mask the sound of the machine so the noise doesn’t bother you. Use a humidifier to decrease dryness and skin irritation. Focus on the positive outcome of using the CPAP machine, and avoid thinking about the negative parts that may be prominent at this time. With time, you will get used to this and this will help you in the long run. /wp:list wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.helpguide.org/life/sleep_apnea.htm /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/features/cpap-machine /wp:paragraph
Learn more
Caffeine and Sleep: How much is Too Much?
wp:paragraph Ah coffee, most of us can’t live without it, and others could easily drink it all day every day, no matter what time it is. But as much as you may rely on it heavily, caffeine can be problematic when it comes time to go to sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you think that just one more cup of java is not an issue, think again. Caffeine can be found in many things we consume every day, such as coffee, tea, chocolate and some soft drinks. Everyone tolerates the effects of caffeine differently; some people feel the effects more excessively than others, so it is important that you know what your limit is. Some of the effects that caffeine can have on our bodies include: /wp:paragraph wp:list Increased alertness Headaches Nervousness Dizziness Anxiety Excessive urination Sleep disturbances. /wp:list wp:paragraph Let’s look at that last point a little more in depth. Caffeine indeed does not do good things when you are trying to go to sleep. It can cause insomnia and restlessness, and all in all, a bad night’s sleep making you feel tired and irritable the next morning. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Interestingly enough, research from the National Sleep Foundation does admit that there isn’t actually a great need for caffeine in our diets, but at the same time, it doesn’t pose any great risk for our overall health. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Many studies over time have proven that caffeine can cause a great dependence in many of us. And just any addiction, once we try to part ways with it, many of us actually go through withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and muscle pain. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Doctors say that it takes around 6 hours for the effects of just one cup of coffee to wear off. This is why doctors recommend that you avoid caffeine before bedtime, so that it’s easier for you to wind down when it is time to go to sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So be sure to put down that coffee and maybe have a glass of water before bed instead. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://sleepfoundation.org/sleep-topics/caffeine-and-sleep /wp:paragraph
Learn moreSleep and Risk of Disease
wp:paragraph The relationship between sleep and your overall health is a very important one. It’s one that we all cherish. When things get rocky with that relationship, it begins to affect how you live your daily life, much like any other relationship. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Having a bad night’s sleep can put you in a bad mood and it can also cause you to lose focus on many simple daily tasks. Healthwise, however, having consistently bad sleep patterns can put you at risk for more serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"id":3565,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph According to a study from Harvard University, there are many factors about your overall health that can put you at risk for developing chronic diseases. Just a few of these include: /wp:paragraph wp:list Obesity: insufficient sleep has a very strong link to weight gain. Your body recharges itself as you sleep, so the less sleep you get, the more weight you are likely to gain. Heart disease: studies have found that just one night of bad sleep can elevate your blood pressure the next day. Keep this up night after night and you can find yourself at risk for heart disease and stroke. Mood disorders: most of us tend to find ourselves in a bad mood after we’ve had a night of bad sleep, but keeping this up consistently can lead to more serious mental illness such as depression and anxiety Immune function: when you have a bad cold, your Mom always told you to get some rest right? Well it rings true as sleep when you are sick can do wonders for your body to fight off illnesses /wp:list wp:paragraph Find the right CPAP Machine Today >> /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/consequences/sleep-and-disease-risk /wp:paragraph
Learn more