Tag: sleep apnea

What Exactly Is Sleep Apnea?

posted by under SnoreRX , ,

For most of us who have no medical background, we don’t necessarily try to make sense of everything that is happening to us. For instance, if you snore or your partner does, then that’s simply it. You or your partner snores. Irritating as it may be and leaves you deprived of precious sleep, snoring is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the characteristic symptom of a more serious sleeping disorder that is known as sleep apnea.

However, that term does not make any sense to us lay people. What does it have to do with snoring? What happens when you sleep if you have it? How can you tell that your snoring is due to sleep apnea? To better understand what sleep apnea is all about and how deadly it is, read on.

Sleep apnea is highly prevalent in patients with cardiovascular disease. These disordered breathing events are associated with a profile of perturbations that include intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, sympathetic activation, and endothelial dysfunction, all of which are critical mediators of cardiovascular disease. Evidence supports a causal association of sleep apnea with the incidence and morbidity of hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, and stroke. Several discoveries in the pathogenesis, along with developments in the treatment of sleep apnea, have accumulated in recent years. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of sleep apnea, the evidence that addresses the links between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, and research that has addressed the effect of sleep apnea treatment on cardiovascular disease and clinical endpoints. Finally, we review the recent development in sleep apnea treatment options, with special consideration of treating patients with heart disease.

(Via: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/876364)

In short…

About 60 percent of everybody who snores has some degree of sleep apnea.

Snoring and having been witnessed to have pauses in breathing increases the likelihood of having sleep apnea to upwards of 80 percent.

Obstructive sleep apnea is caused when the muscles in the airway relax/collapse, preventing the sleeper from breathing until the sleeper arouses from the apnea.

Apneas can last more than a minute, and the associated arousals are disruptive to sleep (although it is rare for the sleeper to be aware of the apneas or arousals).

Someone with moderate sleep apnea will have 15 to 30 apneas in an hour.

Some people with severe sleep apnea can stop breathing more than 100 times an hour.

It’s important to identify and treat sleep apnea (which will eliminate snoring) not only to improve sleep quality, but because of the health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea.

Things like hypertension, stroke, diabetes, heart attack, atrial fibrillation and depression are just a few of the health risks that come with sleep apnea.

(Via: http://www.htrnews.com/story/life/2017/04/03/sleep-apnea-symptoms-sleep-study-holy-family-memorial-manitowoc/99889032/)

By now you probably have a clearer understanding of this sleeping disorder and what happens to your body when you are diagnosed with it. While we often associate snoring with adults, kids can snore too and likewise suffer from sleep apnea. And considering their young age and growing body, such a condition can have detrimental effects on their health and well-being.

A recent study set out to investigate the effect of sleep apnea on the brains of 7- to 11-year-olds. In total, 16 children with obstructive sleep apnea were evaluated at the University of Chicago‘s pediatric sleep laboratory. All children underwent neurocognitive tests and were scanned using MRI.

The study team was headed up by Dr. Leila Kheirandish-Gozal, director of pediatric clinical sleep research at the University of Chicago. The team worked in conjunction with researchers from the University of California at Los Angeles, who analyzed the images.

The test results and brain scans were compared with a further nine children without sleep apnea, matched for gender, age, weight, and ethnicity. They also compared the children with sleep apnea with a database of 191 MRI scans in a pre-existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) database.

Once the analysis was complete, the results were striking. The children with obstructive sleep apnea had substantial reductions in the volume of gray matter – the information processing part of the brain.

(Via: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316437.php)

It is a parent’s responsibility to ensure that young children get enough sleep as they grow up. A growing body not only needs proper diet, supplementation, and active play but enough sleep at night as well. And when in the unfortunate event that a young child already snores and suffers from sleep apnea, see a doctor right away to undergo a sleep test to get a diagnosis.

Kids may have a hard time complying with a CPAP treatment. Even adults struggle with it too. But knowing how breathing is affected during sleep by this sleep disorder, it is important to take action right away or put their health and life at risk. Not all the time surgery is warranted to really beat sleep apnea. Check this out https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet because it is an anti-snoring mouthpiece that children can conveniently use. Or, try a similar solution with this alternative mouthpiece: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx. Kids can manage to sleep soundly at night with these mouthpieces in place, unlike other sleep apnea managements that are not quite kid-friendly.

Sleeping Issues Adults Can Avoid

posted by under Good Morning Snore Solution ,

There are many things we do in life out of familiarity without really knowing the reason behind these practices. At times, they are pretty harmless but there are also times when continuing such a practice can be bad for us especially for our health. Let us take our sleeping habits for example. You’d be surprised at the number of sleeping mistakes most of us make on a daily (nightly) basis.

We don’t think of a lot of things when we hit the sack. It is especially true back then when we still didn’t have smart gadgets to entertain us 24/7. Sleep matters more than we give it credit for. Many times we sacrifice a good night’s sleep because of our various pursuits and responsibilities and is quite common during your productive years.

You’ve crawled into bed after a long day and you’re so tired you can barely keep your eyes open. But somehow, even though you’re exhausted, you have a lousy night’s sleep. This problem is more common than you might think. According to research conducted by the Sleep Health Foundation, between 33 and 45 per cent of Australians either struggle to sleep well or don’t sleep for long enough—and it’s impacting on our health and how we function through our days. 

When we don’t get enough sleep, everything is more difficult. It affects our mood, how we feel about ourselves and our lives, the food choices we make (say hello to that 10am muffin and coffee and 3pm chocolate biscuit binge!) and how we speak to those we love most in the world. Lack of sleep can increase inflammation in the body, which in turn is a risk factor for type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and poor digestive health and it adds another layer of stress to the body since it doesn’t have sufficient time to repair and restore. We can’t fight our biology, sleep is essential to our very being and getting quality sleep at the recommended 7-9 hours each night can make the world of difference to our energy and vitality.

(Via: http://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/beauty/health-wellness/2017/4/tips-for-sleeping-properly/)

Sleep restores our body’s vitality and allows us to perform at our best during the day. Sleep deprivation is one of the most underrated factors as to why people get sick these days and one of the most challenging issues to overcome in this tech-crazed modern life.

Hitting the Snooze Button

Alarms are a noisy (and annoying) reminder that we have to lift ourselves out of the bed and face the day. It’s hardly surprising that many of us reach for the snooze button for an extra 10 minutes of shut-eye, however snooze buttons are actually the enemy.

Watching TV Before Bed

We’ve all, at one time or another, fallen asleep on the sofa while watching TV after a long and hard day. Many, however, see this as something to replicate in the bedroom when we can’t fall asleep — this is a very common sleep mistake.

Having Too Much Light

Our bodies require darkness in order to produce the sleep hormone melatonin, which helps to prepare us for our sleep cycle. When our bodies detect light, production levels of melatonin are decreased, meaning artificial lights (such as the sorts that come from lamps, devices, TVs and other technology) damage our sleep.

Eating Sugary Snacks Before Bed

Refined sugars can disrupt the organs that control hormone regulation. When blood sugar levels and hormones fluctuate, this can cause you to wake up during sleep cycles and therefore cause fatigue the following day.

(Via: https://www.sitepoint.com/10-sleep-mistakes-that-could-be-hurting-your-productivity/)

Those are just some of the things we are guilty of doing that actually messes up our sleeping pattern without us knowing. The majority of Americans nowadays are actually guilty of doing all four sleeping mistakes and are likely to keep on doing it indefinitely. It is better to address these habits early on before you’ll ultimately be unable to correct them and leave you feeling run down, exhausted and stressed every single day.

While these mistakes are born out of habit, there are sleeping issues we have little to no control over. These are often sleep-related disorders that are the bane of the existence of some people yet seldom talked about in public. For example, sleep apnea affects lots of Americans these days but it is rarely addressed for the condition that it is and mostly talked about because of the annoying snoring that characterizes it. If you happen to suffer from sleep apnea, there are anti-snoring gadgets you can use to relief you of many of its discomforts. https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/good-morning-snore-solution or https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/sleeptight is good for starters but if your condition is more severe, your doctor can prescribe other sleep apnea treatment such as CPAP or a more invasive surgery to correct the issue.

The Best Sleeping Gadgets Of 2017 For Snorers

posted by under SnoreRX , ,

Snoring can leave you either gasping for breath or tossing and turning the whole night. It is not good news for your health too and the health of your significant other may also be affected because they lose sleep due to your loud snoring. Or, it can also be the other way around. Snoring can be just as distracting as any smart gadget you personally own.

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea after undergoing a sleep study, there is no sense in putting yourself and your spouse’s health in more danger because of this troublesome sleep disorder. The market is full of diverse and innovative sleeping gadgets to make sure you get your good night’s sleep every single day regardless of how your day was.

Sleep is essential for a person’s well-being and general health. However, not everyone can enjoy a good night’s sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, more than one million Americans have trouble sleeping. Companies and scientists have come up with various gadgets and techniques to enhance sleep. Here are top five sleeping gadgets you might want to consider.

White Noise Machines

White noise is a consistent sound that is produced evenly across all frequencies. It is an equal amount of every frequency that a human ear can handle.

Cooling Pillows

A cool environment makes it easier to sleep than a hot one. That is why you need a cooling pillow every night to create a comfortable sleeping environment on your bed.

Wristband Monitors

Wristband monitors are among the most popular sleeping gadgets. They provide an accurate alternative to gauge your sleeping habits. The wristband monitors your heart rate, body position and oxygen levels when you sleep.

Blocking Blue Light Glasses

Numerous scientific studies show that blue light at night disrupts the brain’s natural sleep cycle. It emits a wavelength that tricks the brain into thinking that it is daytime. The wavelength disrupts the production of melatonin, a hormone that signals to the body and the brain that it is time to sleep.

Mobile Apps

There are hundreds of mobile apps out there that can enhance the way you sleep. The apps contain ambient melodies that can encourage sleep. Some have sleep timers to record your sleeping behaviors and alarms to help maintain a regular sleeping routine. Many of them combine neurolinguistic programming, enchanting music and binaural beats to help users relax.

(Via: http://ppcorn.com/us/2017/03/14/5-amazing-gadgets-for-a-good-nights-sleep/)

Whether you are an iOS or an android user, there is an app that can work for you. Or if you want something else, there’s the pillow you can try or even a multi-functional Fitbit in your arsenal. It is no longer surprising to find out that there are so many options to choose from, so rest assured you no longer have to suffer from sleep apnea for long. If you want additional alternatives, here are some more:

From sleep tracking devices to smart pillows and mattresses, there seems to be a growing industry around sleep tech that promises to deliver a replenishing night’s sleep.

Ranging from the revolutionary to the gimmicky, here’s a selection of some of our favourite gadgets we came across that might be making their way into your bedroom soon.

Sleep Number 360 Smart Bed

If you were going to design a smart bed this would be it. Sleep Number 360 pulls out all the tricks in the book when it comes to getting you getting you a good night’s sleep.

Kryo Sleep Performance System

Is there anything more annoying than being too hot in bed? You toss and turn, have lucid dreams and wake up with the sheets wrapped around you.

Cue the Kyro Sleep Performance System. It’s a water-based mattress topper that cools your bed down during the night. Control it via the app and keep your bed a cool 16-degrees throughout the night.

Moona Smart Pillow

The pillow-pads create the optimum pillow temperature which helps you sleep better and wake up more easily by gently warming the pillow.

You can also accurately record your sleep data – beats having to sleep with a phone under your pillow to keep track of your snooze time.

2breathe

2breathe is a wearable gadget that straps around your waist and records your breathing pattern whilst falling asleep.

(Via: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/ces-2017-best-sleep-gadgets-9567314)

These are actually just a few of the ingenious devices you can use to promote sleep and improve sleep quality. Just browse the web and there are more to choose from. While it may be confusing to find the best one for you, the consolation is that at least you still have many other options in case the first one did not work.

For those who tend to shy away from too much technology and feel more confident in using conventional sleep management, this snoring device is probably what you are looking for: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx. Meanwhile, you can also check out https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/sleeptight, a similar anti-snoring mouthpiece that is cheaper and easier to use than most technology-based sleeping solutions.

Can Sleeping Pills Cure Your Sleep Deprivation?

posted by under Good Morning Snore Solution , ,

We all just want to head home and get some well-deserved snooze after a long day at work or at school. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done. Nowadays, a big chunk of the population suffer from sleeping issues – whether it is insomnia, sleep apnea, or an over-reliance on drugs to help put you to sleep.

There are medicines that work primarily to help people fall asleep faster. They are often prescribed to be taken for a short-term only. They don’t work the same for everybody. However, most people end up abusing sleeping pills and taking it every single day so they no longer waste precious time counting sheep while tossing and turning at night. Or, it can also work the other way around for people who want to fight off sleepiness because of obligations and such. But is it safe to rely on medicines to help you sleep or are you actually doing more harm to your body than good?

The pharmaceuticalization of sleep, put simply, refers to the ways in which sleep becomes a site for manipulation or augmentation through pharmaceutical use. There are different ways in which sleep can be pharmaceuticalized – for example we can use pharmaceuticals to induce sleep, to consolidate broken sleep, or to prevent or delay sleep.

Pharmaceuticalization can occur across different levels, such as in the way people think about and understand sleep as being something we can alter by using pharmaceuticals, through the prescription of pharmaceutical treatments for sleep problems by a doctor or the purchase of over the counter medicines to encourage or delay sleep within our domestic environments and daily routines.

While many thinks of sleeping pills negatively, they do serve their purpose. There are people who truly struggle to get enough sleep at night and they can benefit a lot from these medicines.

However, we must not forget that the benefits of sleep medications are real and tangible for those who rely on them to manage their sleep problems.

The chemical manipulation of sleep and wakefulness has a long history – recipes for sleep- inducing home remedies can be found in cookbooks dating back to the 16th Century and 18th Century medical textbooks list medicines that can be used for their sedating effects.

Although pharmaceuticalization/depharmaceuticalization of sleep can be considered as being somewhat in flux, I’d be surprised if the pharmaceuticalization of sleep and wakefulness did not continue in one form or another both inside and outside of the medical encounter.

(Via: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20170404/Pharmaceuticalisation-of-todaye28099s-sleep.aspx)

Imagine not being able to sleep the night before. You’d probably end up skipping work or school or decide to go after all but act grumpy, exhausted and dazed the whole day. And it is costing money for both the employee and the employer.

Sleep disorders are a primary cause of absenteeism and underperformance in the workforce, according to a recent study by Ronald Kessler, Professor at Harvard Medical School.

In particular,Australia has one of the highest rates of absenteeism in the world, with rates rising by 7% in the last six years. In fact, absenteeism caused by sleep disorders is costing the Australian economy $33 billion per year and can cost the average Australian business over $3000 annually.

Research also suggests the annual cost per employee for insomnia is $4,770 and for the ever-growing number of insufficient sleep suffers, its $3,510 per annum.

(Via: http://www.hcamag.com/hr-news/how-sleep-disorders-are-punishing-businesses-234233.aspx)

Hence, sleep deprivation affects businesses in more ways than just having a disgruntled and inefficient employee.

An employee who seems grouchy or unproductive may be suffering from insufficient sleep. Lack of sleep has negative consequences for the workplace, including decreased productivity and increased absenteeism, according to human resource and medical professionals.

Sleep deprivation is “frequently the root cause of decreased productivity in the workplace,” Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder, a job-search website, told Bloomberg BNA in a March 23 email.

A recent survey by CareerBuilder found that many employees are just not getting enough sleep. The survey was conducted to find out whether workers think they’re getting enough sleep and what the consequences could be if they aren’t, Haefner said.

An occasional night without sleep makes you feel tired and irritable. After several sleepless nights, “your brain will fog, making it difficult to concentrate and make decisions,” Haefner said. “You’ll start to feel down and may fall asleep during the day. Your risk of injury and accidents at home, work and on the road also increase,” she said.

(Via: https://www.bna.com/wasted-days-wasted-n57982085801/)

Now, going back to the issue of taking sleeping pills, will you compromise your health and your work by suffering in silence because of sleep disorders you may be battling personally or will you seek help and take medicines that can help you sleep better and function like a normal waking person the next day? Talk to your doctor so you understand the risks involved for both sleep-deprived patients and patients who rely on sleeping pills to sleep.

Remember that there is a reason you have a hard time sleeping at night and it is often associated with a sleeping disorder. If that is the case, go get yourself checked and undergo sleeping tests in sleeping clinics to get to the bottom of it. You need not use a CPAP but an anti-snoring mouthpiece like this one may actually work: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/why-a-cpap-machine-is-probably-not-for-you. If not, this one is also an option: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/good-morning-snore-solution. There are different solutions and managements available whatever your sleeping problem may be, so you can finally say goodbye to sleepless nights for good.

Sleep Clinics For Snorers

posted by under SnoreRX , ,

Snoring is a constant drag and a distraction at night especially for couples. Imagine being woken up from your deep slumber by a snoring spouse or partner – so irritating, right? However, as annoying as losing some well-deserved rest, snoring is also a cause of concern as sleep apnea is the likely reason for that annoying sleeping sound.

To find out if you suffer from sleep apnea, a visit to a sleep clinic and undergoing some sleeping tests can help you a lot. A doctor who specializes in the field of sleep management can help you determine if your snoring is indeed because of sleep apnea and which snoring device best suits your case. Sleep clinics can likewise help you make important lifestyle changes so that insomnia and sleep apnea will just be distant nightmares of the past.

The sleep testing services market is expected to be valued at US$ 8,395.7 Mn by the end of 2021, reflecting a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period (2016–2021). Full polysomnography sleep testing has strong penetration in in-lab sleep testing services owing to the reliable outcome and diversified scope in terms of disease diagnosis. Moreover, the ready availability of reimbursement and higher awareness level of PSG tests positively impacted the growth of full polysomnography testing segment in 2015. Reimbursement policies are playing a vital role in sleep disease diagnosis, and are also responsible for the commercial success of home-based sleep testing solutions. Preference in the leading market of North America is shifting from laboratory-based sleep testing services to home sleep testing services owing to lower cost and easy availability of services.

An increasing number of individuals diagnosed with sleep disorders is expected to promote the use services. In-lab sleep testing services sub-segment accounted for 69% share of the diagnostic sleep testing services segment share in 2015. However, the segment is expected to witness the reduction in terms of market growth owing to increase in adoption of cost-effective and less time-consuming home sleep testing services over the forecast period.

On the basis of service type, the sleep testing services market is segmented into diagnostic services and treatment monitoring. Diagnostic sleep testing services are segmented into in-lab sleep testing and home sleep testing. In-lab sleep testing services segment is further sub-segmented into electroencephalogram, full polysomnography, CPAP/BiPAP Titration, multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT). Full polysomnography test sub-segment is expected to witness highest growth potential during the forecast period. High revenue from this sub-segment is attributed to high cost of full PSG sleep testing. However, the in-lab sleep testing sub-segment is anticipated to witness a significant growth in terms of revenue, owing to transition to home sleep testing services.

(Via: http://www.military-technologies.net/2017/03/24/sleep-testing-services-market-is-anticipated-to-expand-at-a-healthy-cagr-of-12-9-by-2021/)

The growth of these sleep clinics and sleep-related services proves that many people indeed suffer from sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. However, there is a recent controversy surrounding sleep clinics and fraudulent Medicare claims involving sleep studies.

“It’s rewarding to see the alleged fraudsters held responsible. Because of the close cooperation and work between the whistleblower and the government, we were able to recover significant funds for the government,” Hayes Hartman said in a news release. “It is gratifying to represent people like Elma Dresser, who bravely stepped forward with knowledge of her employer’s wrongdoing. Many do not appreciate the risks whistleblowers face to hold alleged wrongdoers accountable.”

The company owns 20 clinics in Northern California that treat patients with sleep disorders. According to the suit, the clinic’s owners and operators, Anooshiravan Mostowfipour, 58, and Tara Nader, 58, had billed Medicare going back to April 2002 for sleep tests by technicians who did not have the needed certification.

According to the news release, the lawsuit “alleged that the defendants fraudulently billed Medicare for sleep studies conducted by unlicensed individuals in unapproved locations; improperly dispensed durable medical equipment from unapproved locations using unlicensed technicians; and paid doctors for referrals in violation of the federal Anti-Kickback Statute.” The company’s owners did not admit to or deny liability.

Michael Khouri, a lawyer for the owners, said in the SFGate.com report they “continue to deny any wrongdoing. The case was settled because my clients believe in spending their time making money rather than litigating in the courthouse.”

The settlement was announced by the U.S. government on Dec. 28 and as part of the settlements, the owners are not allowed to make any Medicare claims for three years.

(Via: http://norcalrecord.com/stories/511093045-government-settles-2-6-m-whistleblower-suit-against-sleep-clinics)

While a sleep clinic faces a sensitive legal issue like this one, there are plenty others out there who run a legitimate operation without ripping people of their hard earned money. These sleep clinics support people who have sleeping issues and help them identify what sleeping disorder they have so appropriate medical interventions can be taken to promote restful sleep. Some of them even recommend certain sleep apnea products: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet.

You should never take the issue of sleep lightly because chronic sleep deprivation predisposes an individual to a long list of health conditions that could have been avoided had they been able to sleep well at night. And the best way to age gracefully is to also get that 8-hour sleep daily, something we should all keep in mind if we want to look young and feel young always.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea 101: What You Need To Know About It

posted by under sleep apnea treatments , ,

We are more familiar now with the sleep disorder that is sleep apnea. It is the most common diagnosed sleep disorder in sleep clinics and affects a great majority of the population wherever you are in the world. We know that we need sleep to function normally throughout the day but there are times when sleeping at night is easier said than done. Some people don’t have any problem drifting off to sleep once they hit the sack but there are also those who dread bedtime either because of sleeping difficulties or a snoring partner.

Snoring is the characteristic symptom of sleep apnea. While it is often annoying to sleep beside snorers, it is also a cause of concern as snoring is a serious sign of breathing issues. It has even been discovered that the heart of people who suffer from sleep apnea also temporarily stops beating when they sleep (which can be aided with this: https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx). This condition is no laughing matter and requires immediate medical attention or risk not being able to wake up the following day.

If you stop breathing while you’re sleeping, you may have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects over 18 million adults and can take three forms. The first is called central sleep apnea, which is where the brain fails to notify the muscles to control breathing. This type of sleep apnea is less common and does not cause snoring. The second kind of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, which occurs when the soft tissue of the throat relaxes during sleep and blocks the airway, resulting in snoring. Finally, the third form is called complex sleep apnea and is a combination of the two previous forms.

(Via: http://www.belmarrahealth.com/stop-breathing-sleeping-affect-body/)

Imagine how scary it is to find out that your life is in this much danger because of snoring. Not only you and your partner lose precious sleep and predispose you to other deadly diseases but the thought of your breathing and heart stopping in your slumber can send shivers down your spine.

He said: “Yes. It is estimated that five per cent of the adult population in the UK it  that is 1.5 million. 

“Of those, more than 600,000 will have moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea which can be a serious threat to health. 

“Undiagnosed, it can lead to excessive tiredness, interfering with a person’s ability to carry out complex functions like driving a motorcycle, car, truck or bus, flying a plane, driving a train or tram or operating machinery.” 

If you have obstructive sleep apnoea which affects your ability to drive safely or obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome you must notify the DVLA. 

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving and you may be prosecuted if you are involved in an accident as a result.

Obstructive sleep apnoea can also lead to high blood pressure, irritability, under performance at work, diabetes, depression, extreme mood swings and other health problems.

(Via: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/743409/sleep-apnoea-definition-symptoms-apnea)

We now know what sleep apnea is:

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. For most people, sleep apnea is caused by “some sort of obstruction in airflow in the back of the throat which blocks air from getting into the lungs as you sleep,” Joseph Ojile, M.D., medical director of the Clayton Sleep Institute, tells SELF. This could be due to large tonsils, congested sinuses, or a variety of other factors. In rare cases, it can be caused by a problem in signaling, so that your brain doesn’t send the message to breathe correctly.

And the health risks involved:

Untreated sleep apnea can, over the years, contribute to chronic disease like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, so getting a proper diagnosis is important for your long-term health. Here are the top symptoms of sleep apnea you need to know.

Here are the common sleep apnea symptoms to watch out for:

  1. You’re exhausted all day despite getting plenty of sleep.

  2. You wake up with headaches.

  3. You wake yourself up gasping or choking.

  4. Your bed partner says you snore, choke, gasp—or stop breathing—when you sleep.

  5. You have high blood pressure.

  6. You experience heart palpitations, “fluttering” in your chest, or your heart is pounding for no apparent reason.

  7. You have high blood sugar.

  8. You have insomnia.

  9. Your mood is all over the place.

(Via: http://www.self.com/story/9-signs-you-might-have-sleep-apnea)

While it remains to be a serious health issue, there are different sleep apnea treatments and managements to choose from, so you can sleep soundly once again. It does not always have to be CPAP for all. There are more anti-snoring devices like https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet that you can choose from like anti-snoring mouthpieces and mouthguards that are more convenient to use and provide the same benefits as other traditional treatments.

It is not the end of the world if you have sleep apnea. Many people are also diagnosed with it and many have managed to overcome it for good. Technology – although a major distraction in itself – has provided us with effective and affordable snoring solutions that fit most lifestyles. You can sleep soundly at night knowing you can possibly beat sleep apnea and get the sleep your body needs and deserves.

Good Morning Snore Solution: Sleep Apnea Fighter!

posted by under Good Morning Snore Solution , ,

Sleep is a fundamental human need. Whatever your age or gender is, we all sleep at the end of the day. Losing sleep not only leaves you feeling grumpy and exhausted but can put you at risk of serious health conditions like cardiovascular diseases, among others. Sleep deprivation also speeds up aging and makes you look older than your real age.

However, it is not your fault that you lack sleep. Sometimes, conditions like sleep apnea can mess with your sleeping and that of your significant other too. While most people ignore sleep apnea, it actually is a serious condition that can require immediate medical attention.

Getting a good night’s rest is essential for good health, but people with sleep apnea aren’t able to succumb to slumber. Affecting an estimated 100 million people world-wide, obstructive sleep apnea causes episodes of stopped breathing during sleep, and the result is a fragmented, restless sleep that leaves sufferers exhausted and drowsy during the day. Here, five men and women speak about living with sleep apnea. 

(Via: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/01/well/patient-voices-sleepapnea.html?_r=0)

It is actually easy to diagnose sleep apnea because of its characteristic symptom: snoring. However, since snoring affects many people, most of us tend to brush it off aside and consider it as one of those things you have to endure in life. The sad thing about snoring, though, is that it can actually be fatal especially in the elderly.

Sleep experts agree that chronic poor sleep in general and obstructive sleep apnea in particular (OSA) in anyone, but especially in older adults, can be fatal. They say they’re heartbreaking, literally.

“I’d just like to further stress the seriousness of obstructive sleep apnea and how it can hurt hearts,” said. Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). “Research shows untreated, severe obstructive sleep apnea more than doubles your risk of dying from heart disease.”

Dasgupta is referring to a study done last year by several departments of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery and sleep medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. The authors analyzed electronic data from some 27 studies of more than 3 million people all over the world that evaluated the associations between OSA and all causes of death, paying close attention to cardiovascular events.

Researchers found that all deaths, and specifically cardiovascular mortality, were significantly lower in CPAP-treated than in untreated patients. Thus the researchers concluded that “Greater attention should be paid to severe OSA, as it is an independent predictor for risk for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.” They further stated that “CPAP is an effective treatment that reduces risk of mortality.”

(Via: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinseatonjefferson/2017/03/28/could-losing-sleep-be-killing-you/#7deb76a96467)

The risk of death is real among older people, so sleep apnea should be treated as soon as possible and can be greatly advanced with the help of a medical expert who has specialized in sleep apnea treatment.

In most cases the initial treatment approach is a combination of lifestyle and behavioral modifications including weight loss and avoidance of alcohol use at night and the use of CPAP, short for continuous positive airway pressure device. While CPAP is very effective in keeping the throat open and a great solution for some, struggling with its continued use is not uncommon.

A wealth of possible treatments from oral appliances, throat exercises, and nasal resistors (just to name) a few are available. However, some patients prefer not to use any attachments or devices while they sleep and opt for a surgical solution. 

(Via: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/precision-just-what-you-need-for-sleep-apnea-treatment_us_58cb4d9ee4b07112b6472c3b)

While there is no perfect solution for sleep apnea, there are different medical tools and strategies one can adopt to relieve them of this excessive narrowing of the airway during sleep. With the help of your doctor and your family, it is possible to get that good night’s sleep again without the constant bother and threat of snoring – and worse, sleep apnea. If snoring is a constant issue, get yourself tested now and explore which combination of devices and techniques will ensure that you can stop your snoring!

Don’t Ignore the Alarm: Too Much Sleep Can Kill You

posted by under Good Morning Snore Solution ,

As we get older we start agonizing over the fact that we don’t get to sleep in as much as we used to. As teenagers, it would be a miracle for us to crawl out of bed before noon on a Saturday. Small children tend to sleep anywhere from 10-12 hours a day, even if the hours they choose aren’t to parents liking. It shouldn’t be a secret that as you get older you require less sleep than you did when you were younger. Our bodies aren’t growing any more so there is no need to snooze for extended periods of time. It’s hard to get in that mindframe, however, that the 6 hours you’ve been getting are actually enough when you’re mentally exhausted. It’s important to realize, however,that too much sleep isn’t good for you:

Can’t sleep? You aren’t alone: In 2011, Laval University researchers published a study of 2,000 Canadians that found 40 per cent of respondents had experienced one or more symptoms of insomnia – taking more than 30 minutes to fall asleep, waking up during the night for more than 30 minutes, or waking up 30 minutes earlier than they wanted to.

A November 2016 report by the non-profit research organization RAND Europe calculated that Canada loses 80,000 working days, at a cost of $21.4-billion a year, due to lack of sleep.

But how those sleepless hours affect us depends on a number of factors, including gender, age and the time you spend asleep. Here’s what some of the latest research tells us:

Sleeping too long can kill you, too: Typically, adults sleep anywhere from seven to nine hours. Getting too little certainly isn’t good for your health. But repeated, larger-scale population studies by researchers in Norway and Taiwan found that sleeping more than eight hours was also linked to an increased risk of dying from certain kinds of heart disease, even adjusting for many other health factors.

Those are big-data findings, but, individually, everyone has their own sleep sweet spot. It’s tricky to find it, though tracking your sleep patterns with a diary is a good step. Ideally, though, suggests Dr. Elliott Lee, a sleep specialist at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, you’d go on holiday for two weeks, turn off the alarm and go to sleep when you are tired and wake up naturally. Take the average, and that’s how much sleep your body naturally needs. If only we could get a prescription for that.

Sleep isn’t gender-neutral: Historically, most sleep studies have been conducted on men, and it was assumed those results could simply be applied to women. That’s been proven wrong, says Lee. Women’s sleep is often negatively affected by pregnancy, menstrual cycles and menopause. Women report higher rates of insomnia than men, but, until menopause, are diagnosed with significantly lower rates of sleep apnea. Women also appear to be more sensitive than men to sleep deprivation. Although the research isn’t conclusive yet, Lee also suggests that treating sleep problems can help women struggling with infertility.

Via: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/four-things-to-know-about-sleep-and-your-health-sleepless/article33764746/

As much as we want to stay in bed all day, we can’t. There are things to do and adult responsibilities to consider. If you’re feeling drained in the morning and you know you’ve slept at least 8 hours, there is probably something else at play with your lack of energy. Review your diet and daily exercise while you investigate the cause. Talk to your doctor and have your blood checked for iron levels and other medical possibilities. Consider a mouthpiece like the extremely popular Good Morning Snore Solution (https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/good-morning-snore-solution). Don’t put yourself at risk for heart disease. You don’t want to be the new Rip Van Winkle. Remember, even though it took him awhile, he at least woke up.

Hello Sleep: Bedroom Tech for Everyone

posted by under Vitalsleep , ,

A downside to any wearable device that can help you track your sleep is that many of them are uncomfortable. Comfort is of the essence when you’re trying to get a good night’s sleep and having something bulky on your wrist or something wrapped around your head isn’t necessarily going to make things any better for you. Comfort is one of the biggest challenges that all sleep aids face. Mouthpieces are being made in different sizes with softer materials and wearables are getting thinner and lighter. Sleep monitoring gadgets are everywhere. What if you didn’t have to strap something your your body to find out how you’re sleeping or if you need to do anything to adjust your sleep posture? With this clip on your pillow and an interesting glowing ball on your nightstand, you can:

James Proud is a man on a mission to fix our sleep. This one-time recipient of Peter Thiel’s “skip-college-and-build-things-instead” fellowship is convinced that building gadgets for the home is the best way to improve our lives through tech. And improving sleep, he’s sure, is the place to start.

His company, Hello, makes the Sense, a glowing orb that pairs with a clip that you attach to your pillow and connects with a phone app. The system monitors the conditions in your bedroom and charts them so that, over time, you get a better handle on what helps you improve your sleep.

Proud’s sleep tracker is one of the latest devices to tackle what the Centers for Disease Control has declared a “public health problem”: insufficient sleep. Others have gotten into the act, including Fitbit, Apple and its “bedtime” feature, and many other apps. The desire for us to get better sleep is so great that sleep tech even has its own section at the tech industry’s CES trade show this year, for the first time in the show’s 25-year history.

But Proud envisions something different for Hello. “When looking at all of the wearables, we saw that people were fascinated with their sleep. But for all of these wearable devices, it was tacked on,” he said. “So we said, let’s focus on that foundation. We have to go further than what you would do with a wearable device, and find out what’s going on in the room.”

Sense gives you more information than just the number of hours you spend in bed. Besides tracking your room’s conditions, the orb half of the system doubles as a white noise machine and glowing alarm clock. The latest model can even take voice commands that will let you control the smart lights in your bedroom or lower the thermostat.

Via: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161231/business/161239926/

Here we’ve got technology that is minimal on the invasiveness. Take this technology, add the VitalSleep mouthpiece to it (see a VitalSleep Review here), and your sleep apnea is bound to get under control. While it will bring your phone back into the bedroom, you get more information than just what you, as a person, are doing. By checking out the entire sleeping environment a picture is painted in it’s entirety. Maybe your room is too hot or cold, maybe there is a noise that happens at 3am that slightly wakes you up that you never noticed before. Compiling all the information in an easy to read format is one way to get your sleep concerns in one place. What you do with the information is up to you.

Say Ah: What’s in Your Mouth?

posted by under Blog , ,

mouthSnoring is a common sleep disorder although many just brush it off. Some people think snoring is caused solely by eating or drinking too much before bed, sleeping on your back or being sick. While these can contribute to snoring, the fact of the matter is that there are physical components of snoring. While you sleep your whole body relaxes, right? The means more than just your mind; your muscles relax as well. When the muscles in your mouth and throat relax they can cause your tongue to fall to the back of your throat and block your airways.

This causes that snoring sound we are all too familiar with. The kind that can only be remedied with a stop snoring mouthpiece like the ZQuiet (https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet). If the situation is intense, snoring may also be a sign of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a person to stop breathing completely, for a few seconds, dozens of times a night. There are other physical betrayals for sleep apnea:

Enlarged uvula can lead to snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Among normal adults, 45 percent are occasional snorers and 25 percent are habitual snorers. Most commonly seen in males, snoring may be a result of an obstruction, so it should be considered a serious symptom to address with your doctor.

There are numerous causes for snoring, including poor muscle tone of the tongue and throat, excessive bulkiness of throat tissue, long soft palate or uvula, or obstructed nasal airways.

Snoring can result in a health condition known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is when a person stops breathing numerous times throughout the night. Being overweight or having high blood pressure can contribute to OSA, but another common cause is an enlarged uvula, the dangling piece of flesh at the back of the mouth.

The role of uvula is not fully understood, but its possible functions are assisting with speech formation and production of saliva.

Inflamed or swollen uvula is the main symptom of a health condition uvulitis, which can contribute to sleep apnea. If the uvula becomes very swollen, it may even reach the tongue, causing an obstruction. Other signs and symptoms of a swollen uvula include redness, as well as difficulty breathing or swallowing.

If your uvulitis does lead to sleep apnea, you may also suffer from high blood pressure, daytime headache, constant low energy or fatigue, and weight gain. Treating enlarged uvula and sleep apnea is important for reducing your risk of complications.

Enlarged uvula treatment methods

You should see a doctor for your enlarged uvula if you experience severe pain, difficulty breathing, uneasiness due to lack of oxygen, severe pain or difficulty swallowing, grunting and choking, pus or blood from the uvula, or if you stop breathing throughout the night.

Via: http://www.belmarrahealth.com/enlarged-uvula-can-lead-to-snoring-and-obstructive-sleep-apnea/

Snoring can be a very real indicator that you or someone you love suffers from sleep apnea. The problem with this disease is that it can often go undiagnosed for those who live alone or for those who brush off their snoring issue. It is imperative if you snore, and have continued to do so even after you’ve tried to stop it, that you meet with a health care professional. You may need to undergo testing in a sleep lab to find out if you suffer from sleep apnea. Don’t wait until it’s too late!