News
I think I have sleep apnea, now what?
wp:paragraph For many people, a sleep apnea diagnosis, or even the possibility of having sleep apnea without a proper diagnosis can feel overwhelming and scary. It is important to know that this is a condition that is very treatable and can put you on track to getting a good night’s sleep again. Not treating a possible sleep apnea diagnosis can lead to many serious health problems. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph When to see a doctor; /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Some of the symptoms, such as loud snoring, insomnia, and waking up with a dry mouth or headache in the morning can be an occasional occurrence, however if this is something that is happening very consistently and affects how you function in the daytime, then it is time to make an appointment with your doctor. Also, if you are having episodes in which you stop breathing during sleep, this can be very serious and needs to be addressed by a medical professional. Too often, sleep apnea patients have no idea this is happening and it is another person (such as your spouse) that is observing this. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph How to treat sleep apnea; /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Most mild cases of sleep apnea can be treated with lifestyle changes such as loosing weight or quitting smoking. Everyday allergies can also cause mild forms of sleep apnea, in which an allergy treatment will address it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a therapy called Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). This is a mask that is worn overnight and is designed to deliver air pressure that will keep the passages of your airway open throughout the night, and will address any breathing episodes you may have while sleeping. The CPAP machine may seem overwhelming at first, but this has proven to be an extremely effective option for those who suffer from more severe forms of sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There are lots of different types of masks, machines and accessories out there, and you will need to find the one that is the best fit for you. Your doctor will have the best advice on this, or will be able to recommend you to a specialist who can answer any questions you have about the CPAP machine and how it works. There are also tons of options available on CPAP Machines - PAPSmart Canada, including masks, machines and other supplies and accessories. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreHow Serious Is Snoring And Sleep Apnea?
wp:paragraph If you are a snorer, then you could make sleep difficult for others around you. But the problem with snoring that, if it is a symptom of sleep apnea, your own health could be at risk – and not simply due to a poor sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align":"center","id":3753,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph Sleep apnea is a condition where your airways are constantly blocked when you are sleeping. That means during the night, you experience quick yet frequent interruptions. These nightly interruptions can have serious consequences for your overall health and well-being. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Just how serious is sleep apnea? Here are some of the affects you could experience: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Increased blood pressure: Sleep apnea can increase your blood pressure, which can be detrimental for those whose pressure is already high. The frequent wakeups stress your body, causing your hormones to increase, which raises your blood pressure levels. Type 2 diabetes: Here's a noteworthy fact: more than 50% of people with diabetes have sleep apnea as well. The lack of restful sleep disrupts your body’s use of insulin, which leads to diabetes. Heart disease: Constantly interrupted sleep affects how your body takes in oxygen. This means your brain and heart have to work harder to get the blood flowing around your body. Over time, this added stress can lead to heart disease or stroke. Extra weight: The lack of a good night’s sleep can leave you with a lack of energy, making it more difficult to exercise. What’s worse is those extra pounds can raise increase the likelihood of worsening your sleep apnea. Lack of concentration: Night after night, poor sleep can affect your ability to function and focus during the day. That inattention can be deadly for tasks where you need to be especially alert, such as driving or operating equipment. /wp:list wp:paragraph While it may sound ominous, the good news is that there are ways to treat sleep apnea. Your doctor may recommend a CPAP machine, which sends a gentle pressure along your airways to keep them open while you snooze. Along with general care about your overall health, you can prevent or reduce the likelihood of getting the associated health issues of sleep apnea. Make an appointment with your doctor today and enjoy restful sleeps for years to come /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn more
When Snoring Gets Serious.
wp:paragraph It doesn’t take long for regular old snoring to become quite annoying, particularly for someone who has to listen to it while trying to sleep. However, it is possible that that annoying snoring is actually indicative of a more serious health issue, which can be life-threatening. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph One such condition is sleep apnea. It can cause someone to experience pauses in their sleep repeatedly through the night. You could wake up, gasping for air. This can occur when the weight of your neck and upper chest restricts the flow of air through your airways. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph There are some basic and obvious signs that you may have sleep apnea. Snoring, feeling fatigued even after waking up, and constant irritability are some common symptoms. But there are other, more serious, symptoms that you should not ignore. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph For example, did you know that untreated sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure? When your breathing stops throughout the night, the walls of your blood vessels can get damaged. This reduces the ability for your body to regulate your blood pressure. Over time, this can cause a ripple effect for other, more severe issues, such as extreme sleep deprivation, obesity, stroke, and heart disease. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph These are some serious health risks of sleep apnea that you cannot ignore. But there is treatment you can get to minimize these serious health consequences. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph In addition to losing weight, and limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, you can also get a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. Using a mask that fits over your face and a tube, the machine sends a gentle pressure of air to keep your airways open while you sleep. You will get more oxygen to your body, get a better sleep, and slow down any serious side effects of many poor nights’ sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you believe you could have a sleep disorder, make an appointment with your doctor right away. Take care of yourself, both while awake and asleep. It’s worth it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn more
Five Steps To Selecting the Right CPAP
wp:paragraph After you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor probably prescribed a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to help you sleep at night. This machine sends a gentle stream of air through your airways to keep them open while you sleep. But there isn’t just one single type of CPAP machine. You need to choose masks, tubes, the actual machine, as well as any upgrades you can optionally add. So how do you find the one that’s perfect for you? Below are five steps to help you select the right one: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} Get a prescription: The first thing you need to do is get a prescription. This means being tested and diagnosed with sleep apnea by a medical professional. This typically involves a medical exam and most likely a sleep test. Your prescription will indicate the type of sleep device – such as a CPAP – that you need, as well as the proper pressure level for you. Shop around: While you may be inclined to get your CPAP from the clinic where you had your sleep test, your best bet is to shop around. But before you start, ask your insurance company about reimbursement. Then, talk to different suppliers about their prices, features, and options. If searching online, look for a company based in Canada and make sure they ask for your prescription. Find the right mask: After you have your prescription and have purchased your machine with the correct pressure, you need to find a mask that fits both properly and comfortably. You may need to try different brands and styles until you find the one you like. You could want several masks so that you can rotate among them to minimize pressure and irritation. The little extras: Some users are content with a basic CPAP while others prefer to have some extras. These can include a humidifier to alleviate dryness, battery backup, a device to reduce condensation in the tubes, or hose extensions for greater mobility. Ask your insurance company in case you can be reimbursed, but if not, ask vendors if they have deals or promotions. It could make your CPAP experience that much better. PAP therapy types: Even with the best CPAP, you just may not be able to find it comfortable enough to use. Instead, you may need to look into other machines such as APAP or BiPap to get the help you need. /wp:list wp:paragraph Looking For A New CPAP Machine & Mask? View Our All-In-One CPAP Package On Sale Today! /wp:paragraph
Learn more
The Health Risks of Snoring
wp:paragraph It happens to many of us: we snore. Often, it is purely situational, due to nasal congestion or sleeping in a wrong position. But consistent snoring can, over time, affect the quality of your sleep to the detriment of your health. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What causes snoring? Simply, you will snore when the air you breathe through your nose or mouth is physically blocked in some way. Sleep apnea is one common condition that causes snoring, which causes you to have frequent interruptions of stopped breathing while you sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph If you are a habitual snoring due to sleep apnea or other issues, you are at risk for a number of health problems, including: /wp:paragraph wp:list Poor sleep: With snoring or sleep apnea, the quality of your sleep is affected, either by interrupted sleep or only light sleeping. Chronic daytime fatigue and irritability: Poor sleeps will cause havoc with your wakeful times too. You may be irritable and tired all the time. This can lead to lack of focus for daily tasks, especially ones where you need to focus – like driving. Obesity: When you have a poor sleep, you have no energy during the day. And that, along with other related factors, will affect your desire to exercise, as well as your body’s metabolism. This can lead to obesity and its associated issues. Frequent headaches: When your body doesn’t get enough of a chance to recharge, it may signal that lack through frequent headaches. High blood pressure: Sleep apnea can be a cause of lower oxygen levels in your blood. This can be a factor in constricted blood vessels, which is a cause of higher blood pressure. Heart issues: That higher blood pressure can cause your heart to become enlarged. This leads to a higher risk of both heart attack and stroke. /wp:list wp:paragraph Snoring can be quite annoying, but if ignored, that snoring can lead to serious health issues. Make an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause of your snoring, and stop any side effects before they can take hold. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreWays to Treat Sleep Apnea
wp:paragraph However elusive, getting a good night’s sleep is a crucial part of your health and well-being. If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, then you know how difficult getting a quality sleep can be. If lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and cutting back on alcohol, have not had the effect you were hoping for, then your next step is get a machine to help you. Most of us have heard of a CPAP machine, but there is another type that also addresses sleep apnea, and that is the BiPAP. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align":"center","id":3727,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph CPAP versus BiPAP. Both treat sleep apnea by using gentle pressure to move air through your airway, which reduces the breaks in your sleep. But which machine should you get? What are the differences? Here are some basics of both types of sleep apnea machines. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What is CPAP? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, or CPAP, is a very common treatment for sleep apnea. A machine sends a single pressure stream of air through a tube to a mask that you wear over your mouth and/or nose to keep your airways open while you sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What is BiPAP? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Bilevel (or two-level) Positive Airway Pressure, or BiPAP, also sends air from the machine to your airways. The difference is that BiPAP sends two pressures – an inhale pressure and an exhale pressure. The reason for the two pressures is to remove any extra carbon dioxide gas from your body. BiPAP is often suggested when CPAP is not working as well as could be for the user, or for people who have lung issues, such as COPD. On the other hand, because its technology is newer, BiPAP tends to be more expensive at the moment. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Which Should You Use? /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph As with anything, the machine that is better for you really depends on you, your health, and your comfort. Ask your doctor for suggestions. After all, your sleep depends on it. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreUnderstanding CPAP
wp:paragraph If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, you may wonder what your treatment options are. If you have already made lifestyle changes with little to no success, your next choice may be to get a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. You may be concerned about what it is and how it works; after all, with tubes, a mask, and the machine itself, being able to get a good night’s sleep could seem impossible. But once you understand the components of sleep apnea machines, that elusive sleep is actually just around the corner. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align":"center","id":3724,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph The goal of your CPAP machine is to send a gentle yet constant stream of air through your airways to keep your throat from collapsing, which disrupts your sleep. To do this, your CPAP consists of the following major parts: /wp:paragraph wp:list {"ordered":true} The motor: The motor of sleep apnea machines is a small compressor that draws in air and adds light pressure to clear any obstruction in our airways while you breathe. The air intake component has a filter, which you can replace, that screens out particulates. More modern machines have humidifiers to moisten the air to prevent dryness. Best of all, the motor is very quiet – you may forget it is even on! The hose: The hose delivers the pressurized air from the motor to the mask that you wear. While the diameter of the hose can vary based on the machine, most hoses are about 6 feet long. The mask: To get the air into your body, you need to wear a mask. To promote comfort, you can find masks in different sizes and shapes to fit most variations in facial size. There are three main types of mask: nasal pillows, nasal masks, and masks for your entire face. You may need to try several different masks until you find the one that gives you the best sleep. /wp:list wp:paragraph Once you have a CPAP machine, the most important factor is using it! It may look daunting, but as with everything, once you start using it, you will get used to it. Not using it can actually cause your symptoms to come back. Get acquainted with your CPAP machine, and you will begin to feel well rested sooner than you realize. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn moreI have sleep apnea: what do I do next?
wp:paragraph So you’ve finally found out what is causing your snoring problems and many bad night’s sleep and your doctor has just diagnosed you with sleep apnea. While there may be some relief as to knowing what has been causing your sleep problems, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed, and you may have questions and apprehensions as to what happens next. /wp:paragraph wp:image {"align":"center","id":3674,"sizeSlug":"large"} /wp:image wp:paragraph First of all: it is important to know that you are not alone. Sleep apnea affects thousands of Canadian men and women each year. It is also important to know that while there is no actual cure for sleep apnea, there are ways to alleviate your symptoms so that you sleep much better at night and you have a better quality of life overall. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Sleep is one of the most important factors in living a healthy lifestyle along with eating right and getting exercise. So without it, many people experience a lot of problems with daytime fatigue and drowsiness. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The two main types of sleep apnea are: /wp:paragraph wp:list Obstructive sleep apnea: the most common type, where the tissue at the back of your airway relaxes to the point where it can become blocked. Many people snore loudly as a result of this. Central sleep apnea: where your brain does not signal to the muscles that control your airway, often resulting in it becoming blocked. /wp:list wp:paragraph If you have not done so already, be sure to sit down with your doctor or sleep specialist and discuss that the next steps are in treating your condition. This is the perfect time to ask any questions that you may have and the two of you can figure out the best treatment plan for you. Some people have a milder case of sleep apnea than others do, so the way one person deals with it may be vastly different from other people. Your doctor will know best as to what type of sleep apnea you have, and what kind of treatment plan will work best for you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph One of the most popular, and recommended treatments is the Continuous Positive Airway (CPAP) machine. This is a mask that you wear at night, connected to a machine that exerts a continuous flow of air, so that your airway stays open as you sleep. This is known to be very successful for providing relief almost immediately, and many CPAP users have testified to having more mental and physical energy during the daytime. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Your doctor may also recommend that you make some changes to your lifestyle in order to help alleviate your sleep apnea, including healthy eating and getting regular exercise. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So you see, sleep apnea is treatable and you are not alone! Be sure to confide in your doctor as to your next steps towards getting a good night’s sleep. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Download the FREE Beginners Guide to Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. /wp:paragraph
Learn more
CPAP usagein the post-secondary student
wp:paragraph /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The American College of Health reports that approximately four percent of college students have sleep apnea. This is vital to how a person functions throughout the daytime. As we all know, sleep apnea causes a person to repeatedly stop and start breathing while they are sleeping, causing someone to be tired and groggy throughout the day. As a result, they don’t pay attention in class, it disrupts their studies (either by developing poor study habits or skipping it altogether) and it can interfere with their social lives. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph So how does this occur in college students in the first place? As mentioned above, college students arguably have the worst sleeping habits between the late study nights, heavy drinking and the occasional all-nighter. This can mess with the body’s internal clock, which regulates when you sleep, when you wake up and more. This can lead to something called “circadian rhythm disorder,” and this, in turn, can lead to more serious problems, such as sleep apnea. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph The CPAP machine is the safest, and most effective form of treatment for sleep apnea, weather you are 18 or 58. But admittedly, many students in that “college age” bracket may feel too embarrassed to use their CPAP machine, in fear that their friends will make fun of them. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph What’s important to remember here is the end result: a better night’s sleep for you, the ability to function normally throughout the day, and a happier, and more productive college experience. This age is about entering adulthood head first, and coming to terms with your CPAP machine is a huge part of that. The awkwardness of high school is now over and if you explain your condition to your friends, they should be accepting of it, and of you. /wp:paragraph wp:paragraph Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. /wp:paragraph
Learn more