Monday, 22 October 2012

CPAP Side Effects

CPAP Side Effects: Is This Device Right For You?

The CPAP device is considered the number one treatment for sleep apnea, but many people are choosing alternative forms of treatment because of the CPAP side effects which they have found they suffer from. Many of these side effects can be treated or resolved and the question you need to ask yourself, is are these side effects worth it when it comes to treating sleep apnea? If you have been using the CPAP device and have been suffering from CPAP side effects, then read this article to find out if you can resolve the issues you might have so that you can get the best treatment.

Common CPAP side effects include skin irritation and mouth sores. This is usually caused by the mask which goes over the face during the night and it can easily be resolved by making sure that the mask is not too loose or too tight around your mouth, you can also get a slight variation on the mask which you are using if you still find that you are having problems with it. Some people also find that they cannot sleep when the first begin using the CPAP device and this is a common problem which usually goes away when you get used to wearing the mask. If you find that it doesn’t go away, then speak to your doctor who will be able to advise you on the best way to solve this issue.

Pressure problems are also common CPAP side effects because some people find that they are unable to breathe out against the pressure which the airflow from the CPAP device causes. Other people find that the air pressure from the device can cause sleeplessness and it can also stop them from entering a deep sleep. If you find that this is a problem for you, then you might find that using the BiPAP machine helps. This is similar to the CPAP device; however it has two pressure settings which is higher for inhalation and lower for exhaling so this should help with any pressure problems which you might suffer from.

Another common problem which people using the CPAP device often suffer from is claustrophobia. This is because some people find the mask quite restricting and wearing it can also restrict movement which can lead to anxiety which will stop you from being able to relax enough to fall asleep. If you are suffering from this particular side effect, then you should speak to your doctor who will be able to prescribe ways to deal with this problem.

Some people also suffer from a dry mouth when using the CPAP, this can be made worse if you sleep with your mouth open, however this problem is quite easy to solve with either a chin strap which keeps the mouth closed as you sleep, or a humidifier which a lot of the devices come with which helps to stop dry mouth. If you would like to learn a little bit more about the side effects of using the CPAP device, then why not talk to your doctor to discuss your options? You can also find some very useful information on the internet.

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Natural Remedies

Natural Remedies For Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be a very troublesome condition as it causes sufferers to stop breathing on several occasions during the night. This can lead to long term health problems such as heart attacks and strokes if it is left un- treated. But if you have a mild case of sleep apnea, then there are natural remedies for sleep apnea which don’t involve surgery or extreme measures, all you have to do is follow a few treatments which could really help to stop the symptoms of sleep apnea.

One of the best natural remedies for sleep apnea is to loose weight if you are overweight; this is because being overweight can make sure symptoms of sleep apnea more severe because excess fat can close over the windpipe making the situation worse. So if you know what you are overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, then now is the time to being dieting and exercising to help your life style. You can also try to reduce the amount of alcohol and medicines which you take such as tranquilizers, because things like this can really affect the symptoms of sleep apnea.

Other natural remedies for sleep apnea includes making sure that you treat any colds, allergies or sinus problems which you might suffer from, this is because things like this can make it even more difficult for you to breathe and if you don’t treat a simple cold then it could lead to making your sleep apnea a lot worse. Make sure that you try to get enough sleep during the night and develop regular sleep habits to help improve the side effects of sleep apnea. You can also try gargling salt water which helps to shrink your tonsils which will make it easier for you to sleep during the night because your airway will be less blocked.
Many people find that their symptoms of sleep apnea are worse when they sleep on their backs, so you should always try to sleep on your side as much as you can.

 A good way of making sure that you do not roll onto your back during the night, is to sew a small hard object into the back of your pyjamas which will dig into the shoulder blades if you happen to roll over onto your back which will cause you to drift back over onto your side.
Other natural remedies for sleep apnea are to give up smoking if you do smoke because this can irritate the problem further. Invest in a humidifier for your bedroom because this helps to keep the air clean and fresh which makes it easier for you to breathe and you can even try placing bricks underneath the head of your bed to raise it slightly so that you are not sleeping totally flat. You could also try cutting out foods which produce extra mucus such as dairy which can help to keep your airways clear for easier breathing at night.

Learn More, Click on the banner below:



CPAP Alternatives

CPAP Alternatives: Why Not CPAP?

If you suffer from sleep apnea then you will know just how difficult it is to have a good night’s sleep. This is because sleep apnea causes the sufferer to stop breathing for one or more breaths at intervals during the night and this can lead to disturbed sleep as well as more serious problems if it is left untreated such as strokes and heart attacks. One of the best treatments for sleep apnea is the CPAP device which works by helping the user to inhale during the night if they happen to stop breathing. It has been proven that this is the number one device for treating sleep apnea, so why are so many people choosing CPAP alternatives instead?

The reason for the sudden decline of CPAP users is because many people who suffer from sleep apnea just don’t like using them. They can be noisy and uncomfortable to wear and this method of treatment isn’t for everyone. There are plenty of CPAP alternatives that sleep apnea sufferers are choosing to use instead, but are they any good compared to the CPAP device? Read this article to find out if you can find CPAP alternatives which work just as well.

BiPAP: this is similar to the CPAP device, so if you don’t like using the CPAP then you probably will not be choosing this treatment. It works just the same as the other treatment, but as well as helping the wearer to inhale; it also helps you to exhale as well so that you can sleep knowing that you will be safe.

OAT: this is a dental device which you can pick up at your local dentist specialising in sleep treatment. This treatment works by custom making a device which fits into the mouth at bed time and works by lowering and bringing out the bottom jaw so that the main airway remains open at all times. This is one of the main choices when it comes to CPAP alternatives as it has been proven to be very effective. There are a few side effects which could result, after prolonged usage of extra jaw growth.

SURGERY: this is for more severe cases of sleep apnea and is usually considered a more radical form of CPAP alternatives. There are many various types of surgeries available to help treat the symptoms of sleep apnea including removing the tonsils and jaw surgery. Surgery has been proven to be very effective at reducing and curing the effects of sleep apnea, however it is usually seen as a last resort for sufferers who have exhausted all other treatments.

If you suffer from sleep apnea and are looking for alternatives to using the CPAP device, then book an appointment at your doctors to talk through all the options available to you. You can also visit your dentist who will be able to help you to talk through oral treatments which will help with any sleep problems you might have.

Learn More: Click the banner below.