Does anyone know a good alternative for my sleep apnea CPAP?
Written by admin on March 9, 2010 – 8:51 pm -
I am very uncomfortable at night because of my CPAP.
Tags: anyone, apnea, cpap, good, Know, sleep
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8 Physical Conditions That Can Cause Sleep Disorders
Written by admin on March 8, 2010 – 8:57 pm -
Sleep disorders usually have their roots in a medical problem or a prescription drug taken to treat a disease. The common diseases leading to sleep disorders are cardiovascular, neurological, mental, kidney, and gastroesopheal disorders as well as arthritis.
1. Cardiovascular Disorders
The most common cardiovascular disorders that cause sleep disorders are coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure. Both these disorders can cause obstructive sleep apnea.
Congestive heart failure is characterized by the inability of the heart to pump sufficient blood to satisfy the requirements of the body. As a result of this, blood accumulates in the veins leading to the kidneys, and the resulting edema inflicts a lot of damange to the organs of the body.
Coronary heart disease is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries that carry blood to the heart, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis.
2. Endocrine Disorders
Sleep disorders are also the result of endocrine malfunction such as thryroid disorder and diabetes. Diabetes affects the way in which the body stores and uses carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. People who do not manage and control their diabetic condition often suffer from restless leg syndrome.
The hormones released by the thyroid gland regulates the energy levels of the body. A person suffering from hyperthyroidism sweats profusely at night and is unable to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest.
3. Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, strokes, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease are also responsible for sleep disorders.
Parkinson’s disease affects the central nervous system. It’s symptoms include difficulties in movement, tremors, unstable posture, slow movements, stiffness in the muscles, and difficulties in walking. Parkinson’s disease causes sleep disorders such as sleep onset insomnia and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Alzhiemer’s disease impairs the intellectual functions of the brain and causes dementia. It also causes a sleep disorder called fragmentation.
Epilepsy affects the normal electrical functions of the brain and leads to short, sudden changes in it that are recurrent. People suffering from epilepsy are more likely to suffer from insomnia.
Usually, stroke is associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
4. Respiratory Disorders
Those suffering from a respiratory disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma usually suffer from an accompanying sleep disorder such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
The air passages of those suffering from asthma are inflamed. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders that cause untold damage to the lungs and lead to difficulties in breathing.
5. Mental Disorders
People suffering from psychological disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, depression, and schizophrenia also suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep fragmentation.
6. GERD
In gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD, the juices in the stomach flow back into the esophagus, and this leads to sleep fragmentation.
7. Kidney Disorders
In most kidney disorders, the kidneys are unable to filter the waste substances from the blood. They are also unable to maintain a proper balance between salt and water. Such a kidney disorder could lead to insomnia and restless leg syndrome.
8. Arthritis
The intense pain suffered by arthritis patients drives away sleep, resulting in insomnia.
If a sleep disorder is due to a medical condition, the medical condition should be treated first, not the sleep disorder. When the primary cause of a sleep disorder is succesfully treated, it disappears, and the patient finds that he or she can enjoy good sleep.
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Tags: cause, conditions, disorders, physical, sleep
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What is the difference b/w sleep insomnia and sleep apnea?
Written by admin on March 8, 2010 – 8:57 pm -Tags: apnea, Difference, Insomnia, sleep
Posted in sleep apnea insomnia | 2 Comments »
My 6 month old is on an Apnea Monitor, and has learned how to unplug it at night. Any suggestions?
Written by admin on March 8, 2010 – 6:04 am -My 6 month old son wears an Apnea monitor, only when he is sleeping during the night. (He wears it because of the sudden loss of our first son, and because he also has breath holding spells.) During the night, he has started to grab the wires from the electrodes and pull them out. Of course, this sets of the Loose-Lead alarm. The alarms on the Apnea Monitor are VERY loud, and the only way to make them stop is to fix it. My husband and i are having to get up almost every hour to fix him doing this, and loosing much sleep. Since he is old enough to roll around now, he can find a way to get a hold of the wires; it seems to be a game to him. My husband jokingly said to buy a baby straight-jacket, so he cant grab the wires….lol (i dont think they make those). What can i do? He has to stay on the monitor until age 1!
(Okay, for those of you who dont know, and Apnea Monitor monitors his heart and breath rate, and if he stops breathing or his hear rate changes, an alarm goes off.)
Tags: apnea, learned, monitor, month, Night, suggestions, unplug
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Sleep Apnea – Symptoms and Treatment
Written by admin on March 2, 2010 – 9:19 am -Sleep Apnea is a debilitating and oftentimes life-threatening disorder characterized by breathing cessation during slumber. Apnea literally means to stop breathing. In sleep apnea sufferers, breathing can cease for just a few seconds or last for minutes. The first signs of sleep apnea are usually noticed by family members and include snoring and gagging.
Sleep apnea sufferers are usually tired all day, complain of headaches, and wake with sore throats. It reduces the amount of quality sleep the body gets. Quality sleep is needed for the body and brain to recoup from the days activities. The most dangerous symptom is respiration cessation. This symptom can lead to death.
There are two major types of non-surgical treatments for the symptoms of sleep apnea: oral appliances and CPAP equipment. Each have drawbacks and both require monitoring by a physician.
Which one works best is based on personal preference, severity and cause of the sleep apnea, and treatment compliance.
The traditional method involves the use of a CPAP machine. This machine continuously blows air into the oral cavity effectively splinting open the airway. The machine airflow pressure can be titred (set) to the individual patients needs. They are available as home based units or portable units. Some come with humidifiers and some do not. Heated humidifiers are recommended to prevent the drying out of the nasal and oral passages.
CPAP machines require power. A backup power supply should be available. For standard 120 volt AC power, self-contained battery powered inverters are available that can help with this problem. Be sure to keep the battery charged so it’s ready when needed.
A headgear and mask is used in conjunction with the CPAP machine and is tailored to each individual. Many patients do well with just a nose mask or nasal pillows while others need a full face mask due to mouth breathing.
Hoses may need to be rigged above the sleeper to prevent tangling and drainage of condensation into the users face. Usually condensation problems can be managed by experimenting with which heat setting works best in your bedroom environment.
Remember hot + cold = wet. If the heat setting is too high and the bedroom is cool or visa versa, condensation will build up.
The drawbacks associated with the CPAP include the patient’s inability to adjust to sleeping with a mask and getting tangled in the hose with restless sleep.
For most people with severe sleep apnea these are non-issues. The body is craving sleep so fiercely that the patient will fall asleep and stay asleep.
Another drawback is if a patient is a mouth breather, the nose mask is not effective. They may need a chin strap to keep the mouth shut or a full face mask that covers the nose and mouth. Some people find the care of headgear daunting.
Headgear and hoses should be washed in hot soapy water daily to prevent inspiration of germs, possibly causing respiratory illnesses.
For patients that have a hard time accepting the CPAP, there are oral sleep apnea appliances available. These are most effective for mild to moderate sleep apnea and people within normal weight ranges.
Oral appliances attach to the teeth and realign the jaw to hold the tongue forward, capture the tongue to prevent it from falling back into the throat, or increases the airspace.
Most oral appliances need to be fitted and maintained by a dentist. Oral appliances are very portable and do not require electricity to use.
Oral appliances are easily misplaced or lost. Take care to store it in the same place each morning. Use a room humidifier to prevent airway passages from drying.
It may be difficult to find a dentist well versed in sleep apnea. A physician will be able to give an appropriate referral.
Occasionally oral appliances may make the sleep apnea worse. Close monitoring by self or a family member is paramount.
Whichever external treatment a patient chooses needs to be complied with in order to get the full benefits. Sleep apnea is very dangerous, but is also extremely treatable. The sleep apnea sufferer should work closely with a doctor and find the option that is best for his/her needs and lifestyle.
For all the important facts about sleep apnea symptoms and treatment, including information about possible surgical procedures and natural cures, visit the new website http://www.SleepApneaOSA.com
Tags: apnea, sleep, symptoms, Treatment
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How much do you know about Sleep Apnea?
Written by admin on March 1, 2010 – 8:59 pm -Did you know that Sleep Apnea is a serious and deadly disease which affects many Americans who aren’t even aware of it? The symptoms include snoring, daytime drowsiness/sleepiness, cessation of breathing during sleep, night sweats, morning headaches, loss of concentration and many others. I have lost two friends in the past two years to Sleep Apnea. Both were diagnosed and refused to use their CPAP machines. I was diagnosed in 2000 and use a CPAP every time I sleep.
Tags: apnea, Know, much, sleep
Posted in cpap, sleep apnea death | 6 Comments »
have i got sleep apnea syndrome?
Written by admin on March 1, 2010 – 8:53 pm -hey im 15 and sometimes at night i feel like i forget to breath ( i know this is impossible but this is the only way of describing it) and im wondering if this could be sleep apnea syndrome?
.im not overweight
.athletic
.dont snore
.i have only noticed it in the past few days
.i sometimes feel tired in the day
.this past week i have been staying up till around 3 am because its half term
can anyone help me?
Tags: apnea, sleep, Syndrome
Posted in sleep apnea syndrome | 1 Comment »