It’s Barnaby again, and I’d like to follow up on my previous post about sleep apnea treatments. In order to know that you need a sleep apnea treatment, it is first required that you be able to recognize sleep apnea symptoms. Sleep apnea is a condition which entails the cessation of breathing multiple times during the course of the night. This leaves those who have sleep apnea waking up gasping for breath over and over — which obviously does not lend to a good night’s sleep. If you experience the following sleep apnea symptoms, then you should strongly consider getting a sleep apnea test in order to ascertain whether you are suffering from this condition:
- Excessive and loud snoring
- Waking up gasping for breath
- Daytime sleepiness and difficulty concentrating
- Night time dry or sore throat
- Frequent headaches upon awakening in the morning
It is quite possible that having only one — or two — of these sleep apnea symptoms does not mean that you have sleep apnea. Obviously, everyone who snores does not have sleep apnea, nor does experiencing morning headaches indicate the presence of sleep apnea. However, when several symptoms appear together, then the odds that sleep apnea is the culprit rise. A sleep apnea test can be administered either at your home or at a health care facility. In some scenarios, this test might take all night — but it is well worth it in order to determine if you have this condition. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to much more serious medical conditions. Addressing sleep apnea symptoms at their onset helps reduce the chances of anything more serious ensuing — so if you feel that some of these sleep apnea symptoms apply to you, then get a sleep apnea test sooner rather than later.
It’s Barnaby, and I just wanted to pop in to address some questions I’ve recently been receiving from loyal CantSleep readers. Many who believe that they suffer from sleep apnea have asked about all sorts of bizarre cures they’ve read about online. First and foremost, it is important to point out that only a qualified health care professional can accurately diagnose and devise the appropriate course of treating sleep apnea for your personal instance. That being said, there are some purported cures that are absolute nonsense. I’ve seen advice ranging from hanging upsidedown from a bar for 20 minutes before sleep, eating 10oz of dark chocolate each night (a bogus cure, but sounds fun anyway!) or using black sheets only. All of these are Internet myths, and they will not prove to be an effective way of treating sleep apnea.
The appropriate way for treating sleep apnea depends upon the type of sleep apnea you were diagnosed with. For some, losing weight is key towards treating sleep apnea. Others can benefit by using a better pillow and/or changing their sleeping posture. Treating sleep apnea in some instances requires a CPAP mask. In the most severe cases, treating sleep apnea can involve surgical intervention. As I indicated, treating sleep apnea effectively can only be done by a qualified health provider, so if you are suffering from sleep apnea symptoms you should seek help immediately.
As for my own sleep problems — they are getting much better. My hypnotherapy sessions are continuing, and the past week or so have been relatively insomnia-free. I don’t want to get my hopes too high seeing I’ve experienced prior remissions from my insomnia, but I think maybe this time it might be for good. I’ll update everyone again soon!
I wanted to post a quick follow up to my previous comment that I disqualified sleep apnea as the cause of my particular case of insomnia. In many instances, symptoms of sleep apnea can mirror those of typical generic insomnia. So what are the most prevalent symptoms of sleep apnea? They include:
– Excessive daytime fatigue
– Waking up tired
– Sudden heartburn in the middle of the night
– Swelling of the legs
– Frequently getting up to urinate during the course of the night
– Waking up in the middle of the night gasping for breath
Any of you experiencing these phenomenon may be displaying symptoms of sleep apnea. If so, it is imperative that you get a sleep apnea test in order to know for sure whether or not you are suffering from this condition. The good news is that if sleep apnea is the culprit behind your insomnia, then relatively easy cures are possible. However, failure to treat sleep apnea can lead to a long list of adverse health conditions — so if you are experiencing the above symptoms of sleep apnea, then you should seek help from a physician and a sleep apnea test. This sleep apnea test can be a bit inconvenient, however, it is absolutely painless. Unfortunately, I was unable to solve my insomnia problems with a sleep apnea diagnosis, but maybe this can prove to be the key to curing your trouble sleeping.
Hi everyone — Barnaby here again. It’s been a few days since I’ve shared my ongoing insomnia saga with you, my apologies for that. Suffice to say, things have not gotten any better. The other day when I lasted posted I was about to try sleeping pills one more time. As feared, that was a disaster. No nightmares this time, but after getting a few hour’s worth of sleep I was completely dysfunctional. I even had to stay home from work and miss and important staff meeting which didn’t go over well with my boss whatsoever. This prompted my wife to insist that I see yet another doctor, and this one wants me to have a sleep apnea test. My previous research led me to believe that sleep apnea was not the cause of my insomnia, but this doctor wants to rule it out for sure.
Sleep apnea is a condition where you stop breathing for short (or sometimes longer up to 30 seconds) periods. This causes you to awaken while gasping for breath — obviously not conducive to a good night’s sleep. Last night I got around 3 hours of sleep in total — which is around average over the past several weeks since my insomnia first started. I am almost hoping that the sleep apnea test comes back positive — at least then I’ll know what the issue is. The doctor told me that the official name for this test is polysomnography. It involves monitoring my breathing and vital statistics while (if) I sleep. I have to spend tonight at the clinic where they’ll hook me up to this machine and record all of my movements.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to sleep at all while hooked up to all those wires. The doctor assured me that a sleep apnea test is completely painless, so I’m not worried. Suz offered to spend the night at the clinic, but they advised against it. She has been really supportive during my insomnia crisis, I really don’t know what I’d do without her. Well, I’m not sure whether to ask you to root for me to pass or fail the test. Sleep apnea sounds scary, but at least there are cures and I can solve my sleep issues once and for all. I’ll update everyone once I get the test results.
Sleep apnea is a condition where those who suffer from it have short instances of breathing cessation while they sleep. These brief periods without breathing can occur a multiplicity of times throughout the night. This can adversely effect the quality of your sleep, and in the worst scenarios sleep apnea can lead to a host of more serious medical conditions. There are a variety of available cures for sleep apnea, and the most appropriate one for you depends upon the severity and type of your particular manifestation of sleep apnea.
Some cases of apnea arise due to your sleeping position. This enables one of the easiest cures for sleep apnea, and it is commonly called “positional therapy”. This sleep apnea cure simply entails changing your sleeping position so as to prevent obstruction of your airway. Most commonly this equates to ensuring that you do not sleep on your back in that sleeping in this supine position has been shown to constrict muscles resulting in a narrower airway. Positional therapy can be effectuated by creative home remedies like putting some tennis balls in a tube sock sewn to the back of you sleeping shirt, or alternatively by purchasing a wide range of commercially sold sleep products designed to prevent you from sleeping in the supine (on your back) position.
One of the most salient cures for sleep apnea is to lose weight. Many cases of apnea are tied to weight gain which ends up creating airway blockages. Losing weight is obviously beneficial in many regards, but it often is of paramount importance when it comes to treating sleep apnea. Also on the list of possible cures for sleep apnea is to avoid the consumption of alcohol or medications which serve as central nervous system depressants prior to going to sleep. These CNS depressants can trigger muscles to constrict thus blocking smooth air flow much akin to what can arise from sleeping in the supine position.
Should these cures for sleep apnea not work, there are several others which can be tried depending upon the severity of your sleep apnea symptoms. Special oral devices can be provided by your dentist which facilitate an open airway. A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask is sometimes indicated in severe cases of sleep apnea. In the most severe cases of sleep apnea, surgical procedures might be warranted. Before these more drastic cures for sleep apnea are entertained, it is best to exhaust all other available less invasive techniques. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, then it is important to explore the available cures and take the necessary steps to protect yourself against the potentially serious sleep apnea side effects.
Research has shown that a majority of us have at least occasional trouble when attempting to fall asleep fast. Whether you have periodic or chronic insomnia, there are solutions available which prove far more effective than counting sheep. For those experiencing temporary bouts of insomnia, there are a plethora of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids which can allow you to fall asleep fast. These pills do not require a prescription, and studies have shown that they can be used safely and effectively for limited duration. However, even the best OTC sleep aids can become addictive, and they should not be used to treat chronic insomnia.
Some have trouble falling asleep because they — or their partners — are afflicted by snoring. There are several easy fixes when it comes to snoring including strips which facilitate the flow of air through the nose and sleeping techniques which lower the odds of snores ensuing. Simple environmental issues can prove to be the culprits behind your failure to get to sleep. Noise, light and temperature can all prevent sleep, and the easiest first step for those desiring to fall asleep fast is to ensure a dark, quiet and cool setting within your sleep space.
There can be more serious causes behind the inability to fall asleep fast. One such example is sleep apnea which entails brief periods of breathing cessation which occur sporadically throughout the night. Not only does sleep apnea ensure a night of tossing and turning, but it also can lead to more serious adverse health effects including cardiovascular issues. Those suffering from sleep apnea can find relief via changing their sleeping position, losing weight or using a variety of devices on the market aimed at combating this condition.
No matter what the reason behind your inability to fall asleep fast, there is an effective treatment. The first requisite step is to identify the particular issue behind your sleep issues. With this knowledge you are better able to select the best solution geared for your particular sleep issue. There is no reason to continue tossing and turning each night — there is a cure out there which will allow you to fall asleep fast.
It happens quite often. You’re sound asleep one moment, then suddenly you’re gasping for air. You’re eyes are wide open, you are trying to inhale or exhale, but your throat is clamped shut. While there are quite a few reasons this could be happening, the most commonly known ailment is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, also know as OSA. This type of ailment is common to approximately 5 % of the world’s population.
OSA occurs when a person who is asleep stops breathing because their airway collapses. It does not stay collapsed but it does restrict airflow for a noticeable amount of time. Symptoms of OSA, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, include snoring and being excessively sleepy during the day. Although being overweight is a risk factor for this type of problem, thin people still get it. Allowing this problem to persist can result in heart disease, high blood pressure and even stroke.
There is treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. The easiest type of treatment is positional. The belief is that sleeping on your back can be more harmful to this sort of condition. Try sleeping on your side. Some people have been known to put tennis balls inside a tube sock and pin it to their nightshirt to keep them from rolling onto their back while asleep. Another way to reduce episodes from OSA is to sleep on your back with your chest elevated on a wedge type rest. Make sure it’s not a pillow that forces your chin to your chest. Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants as these tend to me OSA worse by relaxing the muscles to the airway which reduces the respiratory drive and increases the amount of episodes you might have. If weight is an issue, then the simple idea of weight loss will fix the problem. Medical intervention includes the use of a CPAP machine which is worn at night and acts in a splint like manner for the airway using air from the room. The last resort method is surgery to fix the problem. However, surgery is risky in that it could make the OSA better or it could make it worse.
Before jumping into something, consider other things that may cause you to have the feeling of choking in the middle of the night. The temporary conditions of heartburn, post nasal drip and vocal cord spasms can also cause you to feel as if you’re choking. Discuss your symptoms with a doctor in order to determine a correct diagnosis as well as a correct treatment option. Most doctors will recommend an overnight sleep study if they are unsure as to your exact condition.
Do you wake up choking in the night sometimes? Then you really need to start understanding Sleep Apnea For A Good Night’s Sleep.
Sleep apnea is quite a serious problem and can turn into a life threatening situation. It is immensely essential to know about the symptoms of this disorder to identify the exact cause before it gets too late. When you know what the real problem is, seeking timely sleep apnea help is possible thereby preventing more serious problems. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder wherein the person suffering from it ceases breathing for about 10-60 seconds. This cessation occurs a few times in a night. So if you wake up and find yourself gasping for breath, there is a possibility that you might be suffering from this disorder. Heavy sweating, getting up frequently to urinate, reduced sex drive and esophageal flux are some common symptoms of sleep apnea.
If you find yourself experiencing multiple symptoms, then it is essential to consult a physician immediately and get proper sleep apnea help. The doctor may suggest you to use a simple sleep mask. Many people have found these masks to be quite effective and there is really no need to resort to sleep medication or therapy. A sleep mask is basically made up of light-blocking fabric that can be used to cover eyes by fastening it around the head. The main purpose behind using it, is to create darkness which triggers the production of a hormone called Melatonin, which in turn directs the sleep cycle of body. Sometimes the problem could just be temporary in nature and can be treated without resorting to drastic medical treatment.
This video talks all about sleep apnea and symptoms of this sleep disorder. It also talks about how you can diagnose it and how many people do not understand this disorder. Also talks about how its related to snoring and how you need sleep studies to truly know if you have it. It goes through the cpap (continus positive airway pressure) machine and different style masks. It also goes into other treatments, such as dental appliances (depends on your conditions), talks about throat surgery (not an option for everyone)
The above video is about 30 minutes long and goes over many different sleeping disorders. It has some great information on types of sleep, the need for sleep, the different types of medications and how they can effect you etc. I included it on my blog because it covers a lot of what we talk about on the cant sleep forums.
This next video talks about sleep apnea and the equipment used if you go the Cpap route. I am posting this video on the blog because it goes over some very interesting points about sleep apnea in children. A topic that very little is known about at this time.
Hello fellow insomniacs,
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