Who Has the Highest Risk for Sleep Apnea?

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Sleep apnea can affect people from any demographic, but there are certain things that can put you at greater risk.  Severe snoring on its own should not worry you, but when it is combined with one of the following characteristics, it may be time to seek a diagnosis and start the sleep apnea treatments!

-  If a relative has sleep apnea, you are more likely to develop it genetically.

-  If you have naturally small airways, then you have likely experienced severe snoring for a while, but this can also lead to the complete stoppage of breath associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

-  Being overweight greatly increases the chances of sleep apnea.

-  You are at greater risk if you are a man, as women are less likely to develop this condition.  Women, however, are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea during pregnancy and after going through menopause.  There are special sleep apnea treatments available for pregnant women.

-  If you are African American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic, you are at greater risk than if you are Caucasian.

-  Enlarged tonsils, especially in children, will greatly increase the possibility of developing sleep apnea.  This can also create severe snoring sounds in the absence of a sleep disorder.

-  Substance abuse, such as heavy drinking or excessive smoking, can lead to sleep apnea, as well as many other health conditions.

-  Head injuries, or other bodily harm, can lead to stress on the respiratory system, airways, mouth or throat, and significant damage to these areas can lead to severe snoring and sleep apnea.

There are many things that can put you at greater risk of sleep apnea, but there are also many sleep apnea treatments available that can help allow you to live a normal life!  If you are not sure that you have sleep apnea but you want to treat your severe snoring, check out our sidesleeper pillows.  They keep the airways open and lead to a more comfortable, more restful night’s sleep!

Diagnosing Sleep Apnea

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With an estimated ten million Americans unknowingly suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, it is important to seek a diagnosis if you suspect you may have this sleep disorder.  This blog will discuss both proper and improper ways to determine if you have sleep apnea.

Polysomnography

The most common way of diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea is a polysomnography test.  These are typically given in a sleep center facility, but are more frequently being offered at home in order to make the patient feel comfortable.

A polysomnography test does not simply measure the intensity of your snoring sounds to determine the existence of sleep apnea.  A series of electrodes will monitor the body functions, such as brain activity, eye movement, muscle movement, heart rate, airflow, oxygen levels, and respiratory strain.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test

The Multiple Sleep Latency Test, or MSLT, is also used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.  This is a daytime test that seeks to lull the patient to sleep, then measures how long it takes for a restful state to occur.  The idea behind this test is that sleep apnea positive patients will be more prone to nodding off during the day.

Ineffective Diagnoses

Many people try to self diagnose themselves with a sleep disorder, and this is not encouraged or recommended!  Just because you are feeling tired, or your partner complains of your snoring sounds, does not mean that you have obstructive sleep apnea!

There are a number of symptoms and side effects associated with sleep apnea, but displaying these symptoms and side effects is not the same as being diagnosed.  Make sure that you see a doctor and receive an official opinion before pursuing any major treatment options or making any extreme lifestyle changes! If snoring is your only symptom, make sure to try our sidesleeper pillows.

Facts About Sleep Apnea

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Even if you have sleep apnea, that doesn’t mean you know everything about it!  But the more you know the more prepared you are to treat it with intelligence and success!

It is in this vein that we offer you a number of facts about sleep apnea, snoring sounds, treatments, causes, and symptoms!

- One of the most common sleep apnea treatments is a CPAP breathing machine.

- Due to genetics, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Mexican-Americans have an increased risk of severe snoring sounds due to sleep apnea.

- Overweight patients that lose 10 percent of their body weight can significantly decrease the amount of times they stop breathing at night due to sleep apnea.

- Due to the position of the neck, sleeping on the left/right side is likely to eliminate harsh snoring sounds.

- Sleep apnea can be mistaken for narcolepsy because patients can fall asleep while performing daily functions, such as driving or talking on the phone.

- People suffering from sleep apnea are three times more likely to be involved in a car accident.  Yikes!

- Men are more likely to suffer from sleep apnea than women, possibly due to the fact that men generally have larger necks than women.

- Some research suggests that sleep apnea runs in the family.  Imagine the snoring sounds in that household!

- Around half of the people diagnosed with sleep apnea also suffer from high blood pressure.  This is likely related to the fact that most people with sleep apnea are also overweight.

- Sleeping on the left/right side can prevent snoring sounds as well as treat back and neck injuries.  This can be very useful for those who suffer from sleep apnea due to an accident.

Hopefully you now have a better understanding of sleep apnea and how it affects those who have it!  Check out our Twitter page for more facts about sleep apnea!

How is Sleep Apnea Treated Through Lifestyle Changes?

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We have covered a few of the basic sleep apnea treatments in past blogs, such as CPAP treatment and standard sleep apnea exercises, but today we will look at treatment from a different angle.  There are a number of lifestyle changes that can be made to decrease severe snoring and improve sleep apnea.

- If you are used to depending on substances such as alcohol or medicine to sleep, it is best to rid yourself of this habit.  While these aids may shorten the amount of time it takes to get to sleep, they also weaken the airways, which can cause your throat to close.

-  The most recommended sleep apnea treatment for overweight patients is to lose weight and start exercising.  Even minimal weight loss can have a huge effect on severe snoring sounds and restlessness.  Not to mention, losing weight can help reduce the risk of numerous other medical conditions.

-  Sleeping on your side or finding an ideal sleeping position to prevent severe snoring has been successfully used among sleep apnea treatments.  There are even positional sleeper pillows available to help stay comfortable throughout the night.

-  If you are a smoker, quitting can greatly reduce sleep apnea symptoms.  You can talk to your doctor about the best way to do this or explore numerous resources available online.

- Another popular sleep apnea treatment that can be incorporated into your nightly routine is using nasal spray before going to sleep.  This may not help for everyone, so we recommend speaking to a doctor before trying it, but this has been known to decrease severe snoring in many patients.

There are many sleep apnea treatments available to those who suffer from this condition, and it is worth trying all of them!  For more information about positional sleeper pillows, check out our product page here!

Sleep Apnea – The Facts

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In a past blog we discussed some common myths associated with sleep apnea so that you could tell the difference between what’s true and what’s false.  Knowing a few myths, however, doesn’t let you know the facts, so we give those to you now!

1)  CPAP is one of the most effective sleep apnea treatments.  Many patients find success with a CPAP machine, but that does not mean it will work for everyone.  Some people are successful with less extreme methods, like a sidesleeper pillow, while others may need more extreme treatment, such as surgery.

2)  Sleep apnea can be genetic.  Many times sleep apnea is caused by external factors, such as age, weight, or injury, but it can also be the natural shape and build of the body.

3)  Losing weight could help improve sleep apnea.  Losing weight is one of the best sleep apnea treatments because it will make you healthier on multiple levels!  The loss of fat around the face and throat also helps to prevent severe snoring sounds.

4)  Sleep apnea makes you stop breathing.  Much more than snoring sounds, sleep apnea will actually block the breath of the patient during sleep. There are many sleep apnea treatments available to prevent this, as it is the reason that sleep apnea can be so dangerous.  When the body stops breathing, it comes out of its deep, restful state.

5)  Lying on your side can help prevent snoring sounds.  This is absolutely true, and it is one of the reasons that our sidesleeper pillows are such popular sleep apnea treatment options!  Sleeping on the left/right side will decrease snoring sounds and allow for clear, steady breathing.

Check out the sleeping accessories we have available here before turning to more expensive and obtrusive methods!

 

 

 

6 Common Myths About Sleep Apnea

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There is a lot of information out there about sleep apnea, but that doesn’t mean that all of it is true!  In fact, there are a number of myths circulating within the sleep disorder community about what it means to have sleep apnea.  We want to put those myths to rest now, so that you can have a better understanding of the condition and how to treat it!

1)  Sleep apnea just means severe snoring. Sleep apnea is much more than severe snoring, though this is a common side effect.  The snoring is caused by blocked airways, though there are sleep apnea exercises that can help prevent this.

2)  Sleep apnea is perfectly safe.  While many people can function while living with sleep apnea, it is most certainly dangerous!  It can lead to health problems or accidental death!

3)  Only old people get sleep apnea.  Sleep apnea can happen to people of all ages, and depends on many factors.  Severe snoring is less of a symptom with younger patients, however.

4)  Alcohol will help you sleep.  This is wrong; alcohol actually makes you even less restful!  There are many sleep apnea exercises designed to encourage sleep in a healthy way, and drinking is not one of them.

5)  Sleep apnea is rare in kids.  Sleep apnea is actually thought to affect one in 10 children.  These children often outgrow the condition, but they should still pay attention to sleep apnea exercises and watch out for severe snoring throughout adulthood.

6)  Surgery will always work.  This is not true!  While surgery is the most extreme form of treatment, it is not guaranteed to work in all patients.

Now that you have a better understanding, you can start to make changes!  Check out the sleep apnea exercises listed in previous blogs to start treating your severe snoring today!

How to Diagnose Sleep Apnea

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Many people around the world suffer from common sleep disorders without even knowing it!  Obstructive sleep apnea is one of the most common, and it can affect people of many ages and lifestyles.

Before seeking a diagnosis, look over this list of symptoms to see if you are even at risk.  There’s no sense in going through all the trouble of a doctor’s visit if you don’t even suffer from severe snoring sounds, which is the most common side effect of obstructive sleep apnea.

Signs of Sleep Apnea

- Fatigue

- Irritability

- Loss of memory

- Anxiety

- Depression

- Choking or snoring sounds

It may seem like a long list of side effects, but there are just as many sleep apnea exercises available to combat them!  Keep in mind, also, that sleep apnea can lead to death in worse case scenarios.  If you think that you may have these conditions, don’t hesitate to seek treatment!

The Diagnoses

Now, just because you are exhibiting some of these symptoms doesn’t mean that you definitely have sleep apnea.  Snoring sounds, for example, can be caused by many different things and could be solved simply by sleeping on the left/right side, as opposed to the back.

In order to make a confident diagnosis you must visit a doctor.  There are a number of physicians that specialize in sleep disorders, and they can offer a number of sleep apnea exercises as treatment, as well as alternative treatment options.

There is also recent news to suggest an at-home diagnostic technique.  Read more about the at-home sleep apnea test device here.  Similarly, read more about at-home sleep apnea exercises and treatments by exploring the history of this blog!

10 Tips to Get A Full Night of Rest

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It is true that sleep apnea is more common than people think, but that doesn’t mean you have it just because you’ve been having trouble sleeping!  Severe snoring and feelings of fatigue don’t necessarily mean that you have a sleep disorder.

Before you start asking yourself, “What is sleep apnea?”  and “Do I have it?” try exploring these 10 tips for getting a full night of rest.  If you have exhausted these ideas and you still feel exhausted, then it may be time to talk to a doctor about sleep disorders!

1)  Take a bath two hours before bed time.

2)  Avoid exercising within two to three hours of your scheduled bed time.

3)  Keep a book on the dresser so that you can read until your eyes feel sleepy.

4)  Make sure you have a comfortable pillow, such as one of our sidesleeper pillows!

5)  Have a warm glass of milk or tea before getting into bed.

6)  If you are struggling to get to sleep, don’t lay in bed and watch the clock!  Get up, read, watch TV, and do something until you actually feel tired!

7)  If severe snoring is your problem, get some ear plugs to block out excessive noise!

8)  Try using a sleep aid, such as an eye mask to block out light and take stress off of the eyelids.

9)  Avoid drinking coffee and other caffeine products, as well as eating large meals, shortly before getting into bed.

10)  Try to come up with a pre-bed routine to prepare your body and your mind for the task to come!

If you have tried all of these things and you still aren’t getting enough rest, “What is sleep apnea?” may be a good question to start asking!  Learn more about it by reading our past blogs!

 

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

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Many people ask us about obstructive sleep apnea, wondering exactly what is obstructive sleep apnea?  The truth is that answering this question requires answering many others.

In order to understand obstructive sleep apnea, it is important to understand what the symptoms are, what the cause of sleep apnea is, as well as potential treatment options.  To make sure all of your questions are answered, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common inquiries below.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a condition characterized by its effects on the airways during sleep.  Sleep apnea patients will experience loss of breath which can lead to snoring through nose and mouth and can even cause the patient to stop breathing completely while in a restful state.

What is the cause of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is typically caused by a variety of factors, but is most commonly associated with obesity.  The cause of sleep apnea can also be injury to the brain or body, sedentary lifestyle, age, and genetics.

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

There are three types of sleep apnea, and obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type.  This is an ongoing condition that can lead to multiple periods without breathing during sleep.

What are the side effects of sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can have a negative effect on healthy sleeping patterns and may lead to fatigue, loss of energy and motivation, irritability, disorientation, and can even lead to death in extreme cases.

Why do I snore?

People with sleep apnea snore because their airways are not being kept open during sleep.  When the airways are blocked, the air must struggle to get out of the lungs and throat which leads to snoring sounds.

Can sleep apnea be treated?

There are many sleep apnea treatments available, from the natural, like tongue exercises, to the extreme, like surgery.  To explore the various types of treatments, take a look at our previous blogs!  Snoring can also be treated through the use of a side sleeper pillow.  Check out our pillows to prevent snoring through nose and your family is sure to thank you!

Anti-Snoring Exercises

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One of the most common questions from sleep apnea patients is, “What can I do to stop my severe snoring?”  Often times, snoring sounds can be disruptive to the person who is making them, as well as anyone who must live in the same house with them!

Don’t make your family suffer because of your severe snoring, and check out the sleep apnea exercises we have gathered below!

Yoga Breathing

We have mentioned yoga breathing among successful sleep apnea exercises in the past, but many people are confused about what this means.  Let’s take this opportunity to learn more about yoga breathing and how it can eliminate snoring sounds!

Yoga breath refers to the practice of completely filling the lungs, slowly, over a period of six to ten seconds, and then completely emptying them in the same amount of time.  This not only strengthens the lungs, but also the throat and mouth muscles, both of which help to prevent severe snoring!

Janu Sirasana

In addition to yoga breathing, there are also many yoga poses that double as sleep apnea exercises.  Janu Sirasana, or head-to-knee pose, for example, has been very successful in decreasing disruptive snoring sounds.

To do this pose you must find a place to sit comfortably on the floor.  Place hands, palm up, on the floor at your sides with one leg stretched straight in front of you, and the other bent at the knee, with heel on the inner thigh of the opposite leg.  Then stretch forward until you can touch your forehead to your knee, with your chest resting on the thigh.

Singing

Sometimes sleep apnea exercises aren’t really exercise–they can be as easy as singing!  Singing will strengthen the muscles in the airway to decrease blockage that can lead to severe snoring sounds.

We wish you the best of luck on your quest to eliminate snoring!  If you are unable to try these anti-snoring exercises, or prefer treatment through accessory, check out our sleeper pillows!