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Sleep Apnea and Arthritis
September is Arthritis Awareness month, and there is a lot to be said for its connection to sleep apnea, and of sleep problems in general.A study done in the UK in 2012 states that heavy snorers are twice as likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. It also mentions that a large portion of arthritis patients who have sleep problems, also develop sleep apnea. So how do we put these two together? Let’s start with what we know: according to the arthritis society of Canada, over 4.6 million Canadian adults report having arthritis, and this number will grow to about 7.5 million in 2036. We often think of arthritis only affecting senior citizens, but it can happen to people at any age (cases have been reported as young as the teen years!) It is known as “joint inflammation” and it has no cure. People who have this condition often experience a lot of pain as a result. While medication does help to alleviate the pain in some cases, it can only do so much. This is why sleep problems are so common in arthritis patients. And when you combine the symptoms of arthritis with what we know about sleep apnea, having a decent night’s sleep can be very difficult for arthritis patients. For this reason, getting proper treatment to sleep apnea is crucial. Too many people, weather they have arthritis or not, miss out on this. Sleep apnea is a very serious condition that has too many negative consequences if left untreated. So many people may think that it doesn’t affect them, or they may feel too overwhelmed with their arthritis treatments and appointments to even think about seeing a sleep specialist. Remember this: sleep has a huge impact on how you live your day to day life, and lack of sleep (or a bad night’s sleep) affects your productivity levels, your energy levels and more. If you have arthritis and you are experiencing problems sleeping, simply start by asking your doctor for advice. They may either give you some tips, or refer you to a specialist if it’s something more serious. Shop now and save up to 50% off our entire inventory!
Learn more about Sleep Apnea and ArthritisSleep Apnea and your Relationship
So you’ve been snoring for months, probably driving your spouse crazy, and you have now been diagnosed with sleep apnea. While you both may feel relieved that there IS a treatment to the snoring problems, now a whole new challenge lies ahead. In situations like these, there is a lot more that affects your relationship than just your sleeping patterns. The National Sleep Foundation has reported that 23 percent of couples sleep separately due to snoring and other sleep-related issues. When couples have trouble in the bedroom, it can affect many aspects of their relationship, including intimacy, communication, and irritability towards your partner. Now that you are being treated with a CPAP machine, your partner may be concerned about the noise of the machine and trying to be intimate with a big mask on your face. These are all just worries though, and there are ways that you can overcome your sleep problems that will not interfere with your relationship. Take some time for you and your partner to sit down and discuss the issues you are having. Communication is an important part in any relationship and the only way to start to solve the problem is if you actually talk about it. Seek each other out for support in your frustrations: being angry or upset with your partner for snoring or not understanding the need for a CPAP mask will not do any good. Instead, try to understand your partner’s point of view and WHY they are frustrated or upset, and try to work through it. Do not let your partner’s apprehensions with your CPAP treatment let you stop using the mask all together, as things will only get worse. Research has indeed shown that people who follow through with their CPAP treatment have a better sex life than those who do not If all else fails, there is nothing wrong with having the two of you sleep in separate rooms temporarily. Sometimes a bit of a break can actually do some good for relationships, and leave you both feeling well-rested and happier throughout the day. However keeping this up for too long may put even more of a strain on your relationship as the intimacy, or the “spark” in your relationship could fizzle out Don’t be afraid to seek the help or advice from your doctor, or even a therapist about the problems with your relationship. Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
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5 Tips for New CPAP Users
So you’ve just been diagnosed with sleep apnea and you’ve been told by your doctor that you have to use a CPAP mask every night, in order to treat this condition. Needless to say, you’re probably feeling a little nervous and apprehensive about this and you’re worried about a number of things: is it worth it wearing that big mask? Will my partner still want to be intimate with me? Am I going to have to deal with red marks all over my face for the rest of my life? Like any big change in life, it is normal to have apprehensions about this and it is okay to be worried about what is to come. But what is important it focusing on the positive aspects of this: in this case, your ability to get a much better sleep at night. Here are five tips to help you adjust to your new CPAP mask: Take your time selecting a mask! Most people who buy eye glasses don’t usually go with the first pair they see, they take their time to try on many pairs, until they find one that is just right. A tip from the Mayo clinic suggests that you place a new mask on your face without any straps. Once it feels comfortable, add the straps and then see how you feel. Try wearing just the mask around the house for a few hours to get used to it. If you still feel some anxiety, try to practice some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing. Start small: if the idea of forcing air down your airway makes you cringe, try using your mask on the lowest air pressure setting to start, and increase it as you become more used to the mask. Keep moisturized! It is very common for CPAP users to experience a dry mouth or nose when they wake up, especially in the winter months. Let’s face it: it’s not a comfortable or pleasant feeling to have a dry mouth. Try to use a nasal spray before you go to bed, or think about getting a humidifier for your CPAP mask. If it feels weird at first, resist the urge to discontinue it after just one night. Remember that this is a device that could very well be saving your life, and your quality of sleep will get much better with time! Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns. Get Set Up with a New CPAP Machine
Learn more about 5 Tips for New CPAP UsersDaylight savings time and your CPAP mask
Now that February has passed, we can now look forward to the snow melting and spring making its way into our lives. As great as this all sounds, early March also brings us the great Daylight Savings time change, where we set out clocks one hour ahead. For the average human being, this can wreak havoc on our sleep schedules. When you regularly use a CPAP mask, this time change can throw your sleep schedule off course even more. The CPAP therapy relies heavily on following a scheduled bed time and throwing that off can cause a rift in your sleep patterns, and it can also make you wake up feeling overtired and groggy in the morning. Coincidentally, the effects of untreated sleep apnea are similar to the effects that daylight savings time changes can create. Here are some tips to overcome this change and embrace the longer days: Go to bed earlier. Even if it’s only 15 minutes earlier, it will still make a positive difference in your CPAP therapy. And you will wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. Practice good sleep hygiene: avoid watching TV or using any electronics right before bedtime and stick to a routine. If you brush your teeth at the same time every night, keep this up, even if it doesn’t feel like it’s time for bed. Get some sunlight during the day. As bizarre as this may sound, this is something that will actually help your internal clock, which regulates your body’s sleep patterns. If you feel overtired in any way, do NOT drive or attempt to operate any heavy machinery. Statistics show that the rate for car accidents increases after the spring time change. The cause of these accidents? You guessed it: drowsy driving. As irritating as the time change may feel at first, have faith that you WILL adjust to it in no time and in just a week, it will feel like the clocks didn’t change at all. Save Big During the PAPSmart Fall Sale
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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
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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 more about OSA and CSA: do you know the difference?Evolution 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
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Feeling Blue? It may be sleep apnea
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? 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Shop at Papsmart.com - The #1 Online CPAP Store. Sleep Apnea Linked to Depression, Study Finds
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Sleep Apnea and your heart
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. 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. 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! 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. If you think you have sleep apnea, seek treatment! Your heart will thank you. Shop Reliable CPAP Machines Sleep Foundation: Sleep apnea and heart disease
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