is sleep apnea dangerous Archives

Read this if you sleep with your CPAP machines on

Erin GillottMarch 21, 2023March 19, 2023

If you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a common treatment is to use a new CPAP machine. It’s important to get the right CPAP machine for your needs. This could include a BiPAP machine or an APAP machine, as well as the best CPAP mask for you. Your sleep doctor can help you adjust the pressure settings to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

With some CPAP machines, you can adjust the pressure settings in two modes. However, others can only adjust to one pressure. If you experience skin irritation, you may want to adjust the lower pressure setting.

Furthermore, it is important to find the right sleep position to ensure the comfortable use of the CPAP machine. With the right CPAP machines online, pressure settings, and sleep position, you can get a good night’s sleep and live the life you choose.

Create a healthy sleep routine

If you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy is a highly effective treatment. CPAP machines deliver increased air pressure through a mask to keep your airways open while you sleep. CPAP machines and masks come in various shapes and sizes, including full-face masks, nasal masks, and nasal pillow masks.

CPAP Australia offers a wide selection of CPAP machines, masks, and accessories, all with adjustable straps, to make sure you find the right product for your needs. To get the most out of your CPAP therapy, it is important to adjust to the machine by developing healthy habits such as exercising during the day, avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon or evening, and completely avoiding alcohol before bed.

Furthermore, it is essential to practice proper sleep hygiene, such as establishing a nightly routine and getting the recommended eight hours of sleep each night. With the right CPAP machine and healthy sleep habits, you can maintain your current state of health and well-being.

Start donning the mask on your terms

If you have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, CPAP therapy is the most common treatment. CPAP machines use continuous positive airway pressure to deliver air at a set pressure, or in the case of APAP machines, the pressure can be adjusted automatically. It is important to find the right CPAP machine and pressure setting for you and to work with your sleep doctor to determine the ideal setting.

To ensure you get the best fit and comfort, try different CPAP masks, such as nasal masks and nasal pillow masks, as some may be more comfortable than others. Start by wearing the mask for short periods during the day, such as while you are reading or watching TV, to ensure that it is comfortable and that there is no skin irritation.

With the right CPAP machine and a good night’s sleep position, you can achieve a good night’s sleep with CPAP Australia.

Make sure your mask fits properly

If you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea, one of the most common treatments is a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) Machine. It is essential to make sure you choose the right CPAP Machine as this will help ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

When selecting a CPAP Machine, you should consider two air pressure settings, or if you need a BiPAP or APAP Machine. You must also carefully adjust the pressure settings to make sure the machine fits you comfortably and the seal is secure. It is beneficial to test the machine when you are in a lying down position, as this can affect the fit of the CPAP Mask.

Lastly, it is important to check for any skin irritation, as this may indicate that the pressure is too high. With the correct CPAP Machine and pressure settings, your CPAP Therapy will be as effective as possible. CPAP Direct Australia offers a wide variety of CPAP masks, devices, and treatment options for those suffering from Sleep Apnea.

Whether you need a Nasal Mask, Nasal Pillow Mask, or one of the many other most popular CPAP Masks, CPAP Direct Australia can help you find the right CPAP Device to fit your needs.

You should get some shut-eye when you’re relaxed and worn out

Having a good night’s sleep is an important part of everyday life, however, it can be especially challenging if you have been diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is the most popular treatment for this disorder.

CPAP machines come in various forms

CPAP machines come in various forms such as APAP, BiPAP, and standard machines with one or two pressure settings. It is essential to get the right machine and pressure settings to ensure you get the best sleep possible.

If you are having trouble getting the right amount of sleep and comfort, it is important to contact your sleep doctor to help you find the right CPAP machine and pressure settings. Additionally, you should make sure that you maintain the proper sleep position and that you avoid skin irritation.

To prevent any blue light exposure, you should avoid interacting with electronics and try your best to avoid talking about sensitive topics that might arouse anxiety or adrenaline, both of which are harmful to having a good night’s sleep.

If you are looking for CPAP machines in Australia, CPAP Direct offers a variety of CPAP masks, including nasal pillow masks and nasal masks, to ensure that you get the best CPAP therapy and treatment.

For those with sleep apnea

For those with sleep apnea, CPAP machines can be an effective way to improve sleep. These machines deliver air at a higher pressure than normal through adjustable straps and a mask that covers the nose and mouth. This air pressure helps to keep the airways open and facilitates breathing while sleeping.

Your doctor may recommend a CPAP machine if you are struggling with snoring or if you have difficulty breathing while sleeping. CPAP therapy can also help with other sleep-related issues. Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice when using CPAP machines and masks for the best results. With the right treatment, you can start sleeping better more quickly.

Cleaning your CPAP machine

Cleaning the whole machine, as well as the hose or tubing, is essential to keep it in the best condition possible. Overall, using a CPAP machine is a great way to treat sleep apnea, even if it requires a little extra effort to keep it working properly.

Conclusion

For those who have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a CPAP machine is one of the most beneficial treatments. ResMed equipment is designed to be comfortable and adjustable for the patient, as it helps with their airway, throat, nose, and mouth. Not only can it help improve their quality of life, but it can also help with trouble sleeping, as well as other options.

It is recommended that patients wear their CPAP machine for an average of 8 hours per night, but if they don’t maintain it regularly, it could become uncomfortable and a breeding ground for germs.

About More:

Sleep apnea symptoms explained

Erin GillottJanuary 10, 2023February 10, 2023

Do you often wake up with a headache or feeling worn out? Do your nighttime noises, such as snoring or gasping for breath, cause your bed partner to complain? If so, you may have sleep apnea, a serious disease that is becoming increasingly prevalent and possibly hazardous.

When the patient has sleep apnea, soft tissue in the mouth and throat limits the patient’s airway. You may not even be aware of it when you wake up if your breathing is interrupted many times during the night. On occasion, you can have shallow or stopped breathing (or both).

Because the tongue restricts the airway while you sleep, you may need to use a breathing machine to help you breathe. Sleep apnea may have substantial long-term health effects. Continue reading to learn whether you could have sleep apnea and is sleep apnea dangerous for you?

What is sleep apnea?

The two types of sleep apnea are central and obstructive, respectively.

You have obstructive sleep apnea if air cannot move through the mouth or nasal passages despite your efforts to breathe.

Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain is unable to communicate with your breathing muscles.

How can I know whether I have sleep apnea?

Since certain symptoms are similar, it could be challenging to differentiate between central and obstructive sleep apnea. Your concerns should be discussed with a qualified doctor, although there are many signs that might indicate sleep apnea.

You may not be aware that you have sleep apnea since you are sleeping or almost asleep when it occurs, but someone else may.

If you or someone sleeping close observes these behaviors while you’re sleeping, seek the counsel of a sleep specialist:

Not breathing at all heavy breathing and loud snoring

Other possibilities include:

Coughing when you first wake up or gasping for air.
Having a scratchy or dry throat when you wake up. (as a result of breathing via your mouth instead of your nose)
Morning headaches brought on by an oxygen deficiency
A dry mouth from gasping for breath

Loss of memory; lack of desire in sex; dizziness upon awakening; insomnia; restless sleep; or frequent waking; feeling worn out or depleted of energy even after a full night’s sleep owing to sleep disruptions (due to low oxygen)

However, these symptoms of sleep apnea are not always present. It’s crucial to mention these probable sleep apnea symptoms to your doctor in order to acquire a proper diagnosis and course of therapy.

How often people get sleep apnea

Studies from Case Western Reserve University suggest that 2 to 9% of people in the nation may have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They found that those with a BMI (body mass index) more than 30 kg/m2 were up to seven times more likely to have sleep apnea than people without it. Additionally, males are four times more likely than women to develop sleep apnea. Even while sleep apnea may affect anybody, the incidence of the condition rises with age4.

In those over forty, central sleep apnea is 0.9% common. People often bring up obstructive sleep apnea while talking about sleep apnea.

The dangers of sleep apnea

The disease known as sleep apnea may affect anybody. However, the following factors might increase your risk:

Obesity

Being overweight increases your risk of having sleep apnea. Extra weight may strain your windpipe during sleep and restrict breathing.

Use of sedatives, tranquilizers, or alcohol

The throat is relaxed when you drink alcohol or use sedatives, which makes it easier for the airway to get blocked. The way your brain regulates sleep and interacts with the muscles that govern breathing may also be impacted by drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Family history of sleep apnea

If you have one or more close relatives who suffer from OSA, your risk of developing it is increased. Living a healthy lifestyle may reduce the probability of developing sleep apnea, however inheritance has been identified as a risk factor.

Hormone problems

Hormone regulation disorders, such as hypothyroidism, may raise the risk of sleep apnea by inflaming the tissues in the airways and increasing the possibility of obesity.

Nasal obstruction

If congestion makes it harder for you to breathe through your nose, you are more likely to develop sleep apnea.

What Causes Sleep Apnea? Everything You Need to Know

How precisely is sleep apnea diagnosed?

You should see a doctor, ideally one who specializes in sleep medicine, to determine whether you have sleep apnea. Before concluding that you have sleep apnea, your doctor will rule out any further medical illnesses or probable causes for your signs and symptoms.

There are many ways to evaluate sleep apnea, including:

Medical history

Your doctor will evaluate potential sleep apnea symptoms while taking into account your unique medical history. It will be identified whether you have any extra risk factors for developing undetected sleep apnea or other adverse health impacts, and your family history will be checked for any indications of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.

Examining the body

The facial structure, neck, and waist circumferences, as well as the waist and neck circumference, are the most often seen physical traits that contribute to sleep apnea. There might be problems with blood pressure as well. Your doctor will carefully check your jaw and mouth to look for things like enlarged tonsils or architecturally distinctive features in your upper airway.

Sleep studies

The polysomnography (PSG), a sleep study test, is the gold standard for sleep apnea solutions. A PSG is a lab-based sleep test that tracks your heart rate, respiration, eye and leg movements, blood oxygen levels, and breathing patterns. In-home monitoring may sometimes be possible with assistance from a sleep expert.

Go and see a doctor

If you think you could have sleep apnea, don’t delay obtaining a medical assessment. You might begin your sleep apnea therapy nearly immediately after being diagnosed.

Numerous assistive devices that move the jaw or continuously provide positive pressure might be helpful. During treatment, a CPAP machine is often employed. If therapy does not resolve your snoring or sleep problems, make another appointment with your doctor for a checkup.

Taking a deep dive into sleep apnea

Erin GillottJanuary 10, 2023February 10, 2023

Before we discuss our recommendations, let’s briefly recap what sleep apnea is. In obstructive sleep apnea, breathing stops and starts periodically throughout the night, maybe hundreds of times. The airway usually closes as a consequence of the soft tissues at the back of the neck compressing. This causes you to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds, and when you eventually wake up—possibly gasping for air—your breathing resumes. The cycle keeps on all night long. Patients are thought to have severe sleep apnea if their breathing stops and begins more than 30 times per hour.

Obstructed sleep apnea prevents you from getting the sort of sleep you need and lowers your blood oxygen levels. A number of serious problems, including daytime fatigue, depression, irritability, learning difficulties, memory issues, accidents, including car and workplace mishaps, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and even death, can arise from this lack of deep sleep combined with low oxygen levels.

It seems logical that the most frequent question asked by most individuals is, “Can sleep apnea be cured?” considering the possibly dire consequences. Although mild cases of sleep apnea symptoms that are caused by being overweight may be addressed by the person losing weight, sleep apnea is often not a disease that can be permanently cured.

However, there are surgical treatments for severe cases that could relieve the issue. However, there are a number of sleep apnea treatments available, including the use of a CPAP machine and the use of a dental device specifically created to cure snoring and sleep apnea, which we’ll talk about shortly.

What Signs Point to Sleep Apnea?

Only a professional test can determine for sure whether you suffer from sleep apnea. You’ll often get a sleep study recommendation. If you experience any of the classic signs of sleep apnea, you should get help. So, what are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea? The following are the warning signs and symptoms: difficulty falling asleep, loud snoring, gasping for air while you sleep, instances of stopping breathing while sleeping (noticed by someone else), headache upon waking, dry mouth, difficulty staying asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, and difficulty paying attention.

Advice for Patients with Sleep Apnea to Enhance Sleep Quality

You may not constantly experience poor sleep quality if you have obstructive sleep apnea. You can do a lot of things to slumber more soundly and have less breathing problems, including:

Develop sleep apnea sleeping methods

Understanding the basics of sleeping with sleep apnea is essential since your sleeping position may make the disease worse. Gravity will force the soft tissues at the back of your throat downward in the supine position, often known as lying on your back, increasing the likelihood that they may relax and block your airway. Sleeping on your side is recommended since it may lead to fewer apnea episodes. We are all aware that switching sleeping positions is easier said than done. One study found that attaching a tennis ball to the back of shirts allowed people with positional obstructive sleep apnea to, at least temporarily, stop sleeping on their backs. Even while you may not have to go that far, learning strategies to feel at peace sleeping on your side might be useful.

If necessary, reduce your weight

Obesity or being overweight is a risk factor but not a prerequisite for developing obstructive sleep apnea. With weight growth, fatty deposits around the neck and tongue that might restrict the airway also rise. If you are overweight, losing weight will probably ease your sleep apnea symptoms. The severity of obstructive sleep apnea will be reduced by 50% in moderately obese people who lose 10 to 15% of their body weight, according to the Sleep Foundation. However, losing weight may enhance your sleep and breathing even if you just have a few additional pounds.

Reduce alcohol consumption and stop smoking

Alcohol reduces the strength of the muscles in the mouth and throat, which limits airflow and may exacerbate sleep apnea and snoring. Additionally, it could have an impact on the muscles that control breathing and the way the brain controls sleep. Even while we wouldn’t advise completely giving up the occasional glass of wine, it’s a good idea to limit your alcohol intake, particularly before bed. Smoking is another risk that increases the severity of sleep apnea. Smoking causes inflammation of the upper airway, which impacts breathing. After quitting smoking, your general health, sleep, and breathing will all improve.

Maintain a regular sleep schedule

Even if you have good sleeping habits, you may not be able to treat sleep apnea on your own. However, after trying various methods or receiving sleep apnea therapy, having good sleeping habits may help you sleep better overall and help you get the most sleep possible. The following are some methods to develop better sleeping patterns:

Making use of your bedroom only for sleeping; avoiding blue light-emitting gadgets like your phone, tablet, or laptop at least an hour before bed; establishing and following a sleep schedule (i.e., going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends); avoiding caffeine, heavy meals, and alcohol close to bedtime; keeping your room dark, calming, and at a comfortable temperature; and practicing a calming activity like tai chi before bed.

Exercise

Exercise is essential for enhancing sleep, and it may even be helpful for individuals who have sleep apnea. Your ability to do a little bit of cardiovascular exercise at night may improve your deep or slow wave sleep. However, any exercise, including cardio and weightlifting, may be beneficial.

Exercise in any form, such as strength training, walking, jogging, riding a stationary bike, or doing so seven days per week, was shown to alleviate patients’ symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Researchers looked at eight research on the association between exercise and sleep apnea. Patients also reported getting more sleep at night and having less tiredness throughout the day. The increases happened without any weight loss, demonstrating that the exercise itself was the reason for the people’s better sleep.

Invest in a humidifier

Numerous pieces of sleep apnea equipment have connected or built-in humidifiers for a purpose. You could snort more and breathe through your lips when you sleep because dry air can irritate your throat and nose. Although it could make breathing easier and help you sleep better, a humidifier is neither a treatment nor a cure for sleep apnea.

Consider a dental device

Since an oral appliance is more comfortable and less demanding than a CPAP, the majority of patients prefer it over more invasive treatments for sleep apnea. It pulls the lower jaw slightly forward during sleep to prevent obstruction, which tightens the muscles and soft tissues at the back of the throat.

It is also a great dental appliance for snoring because it stops the upper airway tissues from vibrating when air passes over them, which is the main cause of snoring. Oral appliances are a tried-and-true sleep apnea treatment that don’t interfere with your daily activities and don’t need much upkeep. If your bed partner finds a dental appliance helpful, you’ll be pleased you used it too!

Sleep Apnea Statistics

Sleep apnea affects more than 18 million adult Americans.
Sleep apnea affects one in four seniors to some extent.

In 4 of 5 instances, there is no diagnosis.
One-third of those with hypertension and coronary artery disease and roughly half of those with atrial fibrillation or heart failure experience it.

Who is in danger?

Women are more likely to have sleep issues after menopause, despite the fact that sleep apnea is twice as frequent in males. Additionally, overweight individuals, African Americans, Hispanics, and Pacific Islanders are more likely to experience it.

In general, it’s a good idea to discuss sleep apnea with your doctor if you meet the following criteria: over 40; overweight or obese; high blood pressure or diabetes; snore or snore while sleeping; your partner has noted that you frequently gasp for breath at night or stop breathing for a period of time; you know someone in your family has had it; you have a large neck or smaller airway in your nose, throat, or mouth.

What symptoms and indicators are present?

Most often, the issue is discovered when a bed partner or family member complains of loud snoring and/or observes breathing pauses followed by gasps for air.

Other warning signs or symptoms include:

restless sleep
trouble falling or staying asleep at night
extreme exhaustion
difficulty focusing which increases the risk of accidents at work or while operating a motor vehicle
the desire to urinate upon awakening.

Asthma, allergies, and OSA are all related, so be sure to discuss these issues with your doctor as well.

Even though a clear sign of sleep apnea, loud snoring is not always present.

Many doctors agree that elevated blood pressure, particularly in circumstances when it is difficult to cure it, should be a warning sign to consider sleep apnea.

Exactly how is sleep apnea diagnosed?

Your health care practitioner will do a physical exam, which involves checking your throat, mouth, and nose, if you believe you have sleep apnea. Additionally, he or she will inquire about your sleeping patterns and overall well-being. Try to keep track of your sleep patterns, levels of daytime exhaustion, including any instances of being sleepy or drowsy at work, as well as any other symptoms or health issues.

An overnight sleep study is often used to confirm sleep apnea (called polysomnography). This test is often performed by a sleep medicine expert in a hospital or sleep clinic in a space that is decorated to resemble a cozy hotel room and lasts for six or more hours.

Your body will be covered with electrodes and sensors that will record and track your heart rate, blood oxygen level, brain waves, eye activity, breathing patterns, and muscle movements, especially in your arms and legs.

The findings can definitively prove if you stop breathing for at least five times an hour while you sleep, at least once lasting 10 seconds or more. Based on how many times each hour you stop breathing or have restricted airflow to your lungs, sleep apnea may range from mild to severe.

Related: Sleep apnea symptoms explained