Category Archives: Health

Health

CPAP machines: Tips for avoiding 10 common problems

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CPAP is an important treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but it’s not without its frustrations. Learn how to avoid uncomfortable masks and other common CPAP problems. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It includes a small machine that supplies a constant and steady air pressure, a hose, and a mask or nose piece.Common problems with CPAP include a leaky mask, trouble falling asleep, and a dry mouth or nose.The good news is that if one CPAP mask or device doesn’t work for you, you have other options. And most CPAP masks are adjustable, to help make them more comfortable for you.Here are 10 common CPAP problems and what you can do about them:
  1. The wrong size or style CPAP mask
Work closely with your doctor and CPAP supplier to make sure you have a CPAP mask that suits your needs and fits you. Everyone has different needs and face shapes, so the right style and size mask for someone else may not work for you.Many mask styles are available. A range of CPAP masks are available. For example, some feature full face masks that cover your mouth and nose, with straps that stretch across your forehead and cheeks. These may make some people feel claustrophobic, but they work well at providing a stable fit if you move around a lot in your sleep.Other masks feature nasal pillows that fit under your nose and straps that cover less of your face. These can feel less cumbersome.Nasal pillows may work well if you wear glasses or read with the mask on, because some nasal pillow systems obstruct vision less than do full face masks. However, they may not work if you move around a lot in your sleep or sleep on your side.Pay attention to size. Most masks come in different sizes. Just because you’re a certain size in one mask doesn’t mean you’ll be the same size in another. CPAP masks are usually adjustable.Ask your doctor or CPAP supplier to show you how to adjust your mask to get the best fit. Manufacturer product instructions also can help show you how to do this.
  1. Trouble getting used to wearing the CPAP device
To start, it may help to practice wearing just the CPAP mask for short periods of time while you’re awake, for example, while watching TV. Then try wearing the mask and hose with the air pressure on, still during the daytime, while you’re awake.Once you become accustomed to how that feels, shift to using the CPAP device every time you sleep — at night and during naps. Inconsistently wearing the CPAP device may delay getting used to it. Stick with it for several weeks or more to see if the mask and pressure settings you have will work for you.
  1. Difficulty tolerating forced air
You may be able to overcome this by using a “ramp” feature on the machine. This feature allows you to start with low air pressure, followed by an automatic, gradual increase in the pressure to your prescribed setting as you fall asleep. The rate of this ramp feature can be adjusted by your doctor.If this doesn’t help, talk with your doctor about changing to a different type of device that automatically adjusts the pressure while you’re sleeping. For example, units that supply bi-level positive airway pressure (B-PAP) or devices that have variable pressure contours are available. These provide more pressure when you inhale and less when you exhale.
  1. Dry, stuffy nose
A CPAP device that features a heated humidifier, which attaches to the air pressure machine, can help. The level of humidification is adjustable. Using a nasal saline spray at bedtime also can help.Your doctor may prescribe a nasal steroid spray if your dryness doesn’t respond to heated humidity. It’s also important that your mask fit well. A leaky mask can dry out your nose.
  1. Feeling claustrophobic
While you’re awake, practice by first just holding the mask up to your face without any of the other parts. Once you’re comfortable with that, try wearing the mask with the straps.Next, try holding the mask and hose on your face, without using the straps. Have the hose attached to the CPAP machine at a low-pressure setting (with ramp feature turned on). And, finally, wear the mask with the straps and with the air pressure machine turned on while awake. After you’re comfortable with that, try sleeping with it on.Relaxation exercises, such as progressive muscle relaxation, also may help reduce your anxiety. It may help to get a different size mask or try a different style, such as one that uses nasal pillows.If you’re still feeling claustrophobic, talk to your doctor or CPAP supplier.
  1. Leaky mask, skin irritation or pressure sores
A leaky or an ill-fitting mask means you’re not getting the full air pressure you need, and you may be irritating your skin. It can also release air into your eyes, causing them to become dry or teary.Try adjusting pads and straps to get a better fit. If the device fits over your nose, make sure it doesn’t sit too high on the bridge of your nose, which can direct air into your eyes.You may need to ask your supplier to help you find a different size mask, particularly if your weight has changed markedly. Or try a different style device like a nasal pillow or a mask with an inflatable cushion that contours to your face. If you develop skin deterioration or sores, such as on your nose, tell your doctor promptly.
  1. Difficulty falling asleep
This is a normal, temporary problem. Wearing the mask alone for some time during the day may help you get accustomed to how it feels.Using the ramp feature, which provides an automatic, gradual increase in the air pressure to your prescribed pressure setting as you fall asleep, also may help.And practice good general sleep habits — exercise regularly, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and try to relax. For example, take a warm bath before you go to bed. Avoid going to bed until you’re tired.
  1. Dry mouth
If you breathe through your mouth at night or sleep with your mouth open, some CPAP devices may worsen dry mouth. A chin strap may help keep your mouth closed and reduce the air leak if you wear a nasal mask.A full-face-mask-style device that covers your mouth and nose also may work well for you. A CPAP-heated humidifier that attaches to the air pressure machine also may help.
  1. Unintentionally removing the CPAP device during the night
It’s normal to sometimes wake up to find you’ve removed the mask in your sleep. If you move a lot in your sleep, you may find that a full face mask will stay on your face better.You may be pulling off the mask because your nose is congested. If so, ensuring a good mask fit and adding a CPAP-heated humidifier may help. A chin strap also may help keep the device on your face.If this is a consistent problem, consider setting an alarm for sometime in the night, to check whether the device is still on. You could progressively set the alarm for later in the night if you find you’re keeping the device on longer.
  1. Annoyed by the noise
Most new models of CPAP devices are almost silent. But if you find a device’s noise is bothersome, first check to make sure the device air filter is clean and unblocked. Something in its way may be contributing to noise.If this doesn’t help, have your doctor or CPAP supplier check the device to ensure it’s working properly. If the device is working correctly and the noise still bothers you, try wearing earplugs or using a white-noise sound machine to mask the noise. Time and patience key to success Using a CPAP device can be frustrating as you try to get used to it, but it’s important you stick with it. The treatment is essential to avoiding obstructive sleep apnea-related complications, such as heart problems and daytime fatigue.Work with your doctor and CPAP supplier to ensure the best fit and device for you, and try making adjustments if you’re experiencing some of the common CPAP problems. It may take several months to find the correct settings for you and to adapt to the mask. With time and patience, CPAP can positively affect your quality of life and health.
Health, News, Research

Everything you need to Know About Sleep Apnea

Posted on by CPAPstore
Sleep apnea, cpap devices, cpap masks, What is Sleep Apnea
19
Aug

Everything you need to Know About Sleep Apnea

cpapstore-everything you need to know about sleep apnea

Sleep apnea also referred to as sleep apnoea, is a common sleep disorder. It’s characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep.

These episodes, called apneas, last 10 seconds or more and occur repeatedly throughout the night. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of the disturbances in their sleep.

The most common type of sleep apnea is Obstructive Sleep Apnea, caused by relaxation of soft tissue in the back of the throat that blocks the passage of air. Central Sleep Apnea is caused by irregularities in the brain’s normal signals to breathe.

Some people with sleep apnea have a combination of both types.

What causes sleep apnea?

In the case of central sleep apnea, it happens when the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles. This is most common in babies, and in adults with heart problems, but can also be caused by some medicines.
In obstructive sleep apnea, the message from the brain to the respiratory muscles gets through but breathing fails through an obstruction preventing the flow of air.
Mixed sleep apnea is caused by a combination of these failures.

Obstructive sleep apnea affects more men than women, and is more common and has increased severity in obese people.

What are the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?

OSA is more common in men than women and in people who are overweight or obese. Here are some symptoms to look for if you suspect you are suffering from this disorder.

  • Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
  • Restless Sleep
  • Loud Snoring, with Periods Of Silence Followed By Gasps
  • Falling Asleep During The Day
  • Morning Headaches
  • Trouble Concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Forgetfulness
  • Mood or Behavior Changes
  • Weight Gain
  • Increased Heart Rate
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

How is to treat obstructive sleep apnea!

There are several non-surgical options varying from behavioral changes to medications and dental appliances.

Behavioral changes may simply involve getting the sufferer to change their sleeping position, as most apneas seem to occur whilst sleeping on the back. A change in diet and lifestyle with a consequent reduction in obesity can also markedly reduce the severity of symptoms. However, these changes are easier to talk about than to implement.
Dental appliances are sometimes used for mild cases of obstructive sleep apnea – these work by holding the jaw and tongue forward and the palate up to prevent airway closure.
One of the best non-surgical treatments is called auto CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure. This is a machine which delivers heated and humidified air under pressure through a mask to the sufferer whilst they sleep. The machine is light and portable, and most people quickly get used to the noise the machine makes, and to wearing a mask.

Surgical options for obstructive sleep apnea include palate implants, reducing the size of the tongue, procedures on the jaws, and surgery of the nasal passages. Surgery should not be undertaken lightly because of the underlying risks of anesthesia and complications from the surgery itself.

If you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea or know anyone who does, then it is important that you seek qualified medical advice as soon as possible. Continuing your life without recourse to treatment leaves you open to the much higher risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and even sudden death.Seek specialist help today.

Health

Study offers treatment hope for sleep disordered breathing

Posted on by CPAPstore

Study offers treatment hope for sleep disordered breathing

Date:
February 10, 2016
Source:
University of Edinburgh
Summary:
People with a condition linked to obesity that causes them to stop breathing in their sleep could be helped by new research. The study could lead to new treatments for the condition called central sleep apnoea — which occurs during sleep disordered breathing and is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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People with a condition that causes them to stop breathing in their sleep could be helped by new research.

Scientists have gained fresh insights into the signals that regulate breathing during sleep, when oxygen levels are low. The study could lead to new treatments for the condition called central sleep apnoea — which occurs during sleep disordered breathing and is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. It could also lead to new interventions that help people adapt to sleeping at higher altitudes, where reduced oxygen levels can cause sleep disordered breathing even in fit and healthy people. Central sleep apnoea occurs when there is a breakdown in the signals that instruct the body to breathe. Researchers led by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Integrative Physiology used genetically modified mice to show that an enzyme called AMPK helps us to breathe faster when oxygen levels are low. These mice do not produce AMPK in the specialised cells that send signals to support breathing when oxygen availability falls. The team found that the animals showed similar symptoms to people with central sleep apnoea — failing to breathe faster in response to low oxygen environments. The animals are otherwise healthy and show no breathing difficulties under normal conditions. Central sleep apnoea commonly affects people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. It causes snoring, high blood pressure, poor memory and daytime lapses in to sleep. Professor Mark Evans, of the University’s Centre for Integrative Physiology, said: “Our findings identify exciting new avenues for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, because drugs that mimic AMPK activation could restore normal breathing patterns in people suffering from this disease. Mice with AMPK deficiencies could also prove useful for helping us to identify such therapies.”
Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Edinburgh. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
  1. Amira D Mahmoud, Sophronia Lewis, Lara Juričić, Utibe-Abasi Udoh, Sandy Hartmann, Maurits A Jansen, Oluseye A Ogunbayo, Paolo Puggioni, Andrew P Holmes, Prem Kumar, Jorge Navarro-Dorado, Marc Foretz, Benoit Viollet, Mayank B Dutia, Ian Marshall, A. Mark Evans.AMPK Deficiency Blocks the Hypoxic Ventilatory Response and Thus Precipitates Hypoventilation and Apnea. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2015; DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201508-1667OC
Health

Even children with higher IQs behave better when their sleep apnea is fixed

Posted on by CPAPstore
Date:
January 8, 2016
Source:
University of Michigan Health System
Summary:
Many doctors will ask about quality of sleep when children have problems at school, but new research shows it’s just as important to pay attention to how high achievers are sleeping.
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Many doctors will ask about quality of sleep when children have problems at school, but new research shows it’s just as important to pay attention to how high achievers are sleeping.

A study in today’s print edition of the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology suggests doctors and parents should pay attention to snoring, labored breathing and other symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea in bright, high-performing children as well as those who struggle in school. The researchers studied 147 children ages 3-12 that were scheduled for an adenotonsillectomy, a procedure that removes both the tonsils and the adenoids. These children also were suspected of having obstructive sleep apnea, a common reason for adenotonsillectomy. In obstructive sleep apnea, enlarged tonsils and adenoids stop children from breathing for a few seconds or tens of seconds many times during the night. Previous research shows that an adenotonsillectomy can lead to behavioral improvements in children who are struggling in the classroom or at home. But this study focused, for what researchers believe is the first time, on children who are doing well from the start. “When a clinician sees a pediatric patient who has a problem in school, they ask about sleep,” said study co-author Ronald Chervin, M.D., neurologist and director of the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center. “We wondered, in high-performing children, do we still need to worry about snoring or sleep issues?” All of the children in this study, from low IQ to high IQ groups, improved at a similar level when their sleep and behavior were evaluated six months after the adenotonsillectomy procedure. Parents graded their child’s behavior in areas such as inattention, hyperactivity, social problems and perfectionism. Sleep tests included monitoring brain wave patterns, eye movements, heart rhythm, muscle activity, airflow at the nose and mouth, chest movements, and snoring. “Regardless of intellectual level, we can expect to see some behavioral improvement along with better sleep,” says study co-author Bruno Giordani, Ph.D., professor of neurology, psychiatry, psychology and nursing. “Once behavior improves, attention in school improves, and emotional ability and behavioral and impulsivity control improve.” In obstructive sleep apnea, the air stops in the throat, causing the child to choke, wake up briefly to open the airway and then go back to sleep. This can happen more than a hundred times in a night. Although it’s easy to tell when an adult is sleepy the next day, it can be more difficult to spot lack of good sleep in a child. A child may become hyperactive, leading parents and providers to wonder about other reasons for the behavior. “Children with obstructive sleep apnea are fidgeting and not able to stay on task, because they’re doing anything they can to stay awake,” says first author Seockhoon Chung, M.D., Ph.D., who began the research as a U-M research fellow but is now associate professor at Asan Medical Center in South Korea. “Even when those behavioral problems are minimal, improvement is still possible.” “Deciding whether to perform an adenotonsillectomy should be about the physician’s view of how bad the sleep problem is, and how significantly it appears to be related to the tonsil and adenoid issue,” Giordani says. “Then, the physician can think about how that fits together with the child’s appearance and behavior, expecting neurobehavioral benefit.” Higher-IQ children may be less likely, in practice, to have obstructive sleep apnea recognized and treated if they do not show problems with school performance. The new findings suggest that other signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, such as loud nightly snoring, should not be ignored, because the brain and daytime behavior of a child with higher IQ may still benefit from diagnosis and treatment of the sleep disorder.
Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials provided by University of Michigan Health System. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Journal Reference:
  1. Seockhoon Chung, Elise K. Hodges, Deborah L. Ruzicka, Timothy F. Hoban, Susan L. Garetz, Kenneth E. Guire, Barbara T. Felt, James E. Dillon, Ronald D. Chervin, Bruno Giordani. Improved behavior after adenotonsillectomy in children with higher and lower IQ. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 2016; 80: 21 DOI:10.1016/j.ijporl.2015.11.005
Health, News

Does my Child have Sleep Apnea?

Posted on by CPAPstore
Written by: Tarig Ali-Dinar, M.D   While it might not feel like it to the sleep-deprived parent, your child actually spends a lot of time sleeping. By age 2, the average child has spent about 9,500 hours – or 13 months – asleep. Between 2 to 5 years of age, children spend equal amounts of time awake and asleep, and during childhood and adolescence sleep continues to account for about 40 percent of a child’s day. What happens if sleep is interrupted? Beyond having a cranky kiddo, lack of sleep can have adverse effects on a child’s health. Sleep is crucial to promoting health and bodily function. It maintains memory and cognitive performance. It plays a role in the normal function of the hormone and immune systems, and there is a link between sleep duration and quality and serious health problems, including neurobehavioral changes. How is sleep interrupted? If your child snores, sleeps with the mouth open or has trouble breathing during sleep, it could be a sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a treatable disorder in which a child’s breathing is partially blocked during sleep. It affects 2 to 5 percent of children across all ages, including infancy. OSA can cause your child to be unusually irritable, tired and hyperactive during the day or have poor school performance. If you think your child has OSA, discuss your concerns with a pediatrician. You may be referred to a pediatric sleep specialist, who will use a non-invasive sleep study to help diagnose your child’s sleep issues. The most common cause of OSA is enlargement of tonsils or adenoids, which can be removed surgically. Other common causes of airway blockage include abnormal facial structure, muscular diseases and being overweight. In addition to surgery, interventions like a nighttime CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which keeps the airway open by blowing air via a nasal/face mask during sleep, are available. When weight is a factor, work with your child’s primary care physician on a weight-loss plan. By taking corrective steps, you can successfully manage your child’s OSA and get them – and yourself – back to sleep.
Health, News

Losing Weight Can Ease Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Posted on June 17, 2015 by Elizabeth Klein, MPhil in Daily Diabetes   People with diabetes have a higher risk for sleep apnea, a condition in which your breathing stops and starts many times during the night. As this prevents you from getting a good night’s sleep, it puts you at a high risk for sleepiness during the day, memory and attention problems, insulin resistance, and even heart disease. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of this condition, and it usually affects people who are older or overweight. The good news is that a recent study found that people with OSA can manage the condition well by changing their lifestyle. The study, which was published in CHEST Journal, looked to see whether losing weight with certain lifestyle changes helped people with OSA feel more awake during the day. The Chinese researchers tracked 104 people with moderate to severe OSA. For one year, they were either given the standard treatment, or extra help from a dietitian. Those in the dietitian group were able to work with healthcare professionals specifically to change their eating and exercise habits. By the end of the study, the subjects in the dietitian group lowered their BMI and had a more balanced meal plan that included lots of protein and fiber. Most importantly, their OSA was improved. They woke up fewer times each night compared to the control group, and felt less sleepy during the day. The results came quickly, too. Most of the subjects in the dietitian group started to feel better and lose weight after just 4 months on the program. While more research is needed to confirm these results, they show that there is hope for people with OSA to feel better fast. If you have sleep apnea, talk to your healthcare provider about seeing a dietitian to help you change your eating habits.
Health, News

Could You Have Sleep Apnea?

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By Dr. Phillip C. Hall, DDS Do you snore when you sleep? Do you wake up gasping for air? Do you get morning headaches or daytime sleepiness? If so, you may be suffering from sleep apnea, a condition in which you stop breathing during the night.  Left untreated, this condition can cause serious associated medical problems like stroke, heart attack, diabetes, weight gain, or even death. Proper diagnosis for sleep apnea is made by a physician, and traditionally treated with a C-PAP machine. This machine works to keep the airway open while a person sleeps by delivering room air via a mask to the nose or face under various amounts of pressure. Even though great advances have been made, most people find C-PAP use very trying and often end in non-compliance. C-PAP compliance failures occur for various reasons, including claustrophobia, feeling of air in the stomach, noise of the machine or mask, pain or deformity from mask, annoyance of transporting device, dry nose or mouth, and irritation to ears because of air pressure. Still, for most severe sleep apnea sufferers, C-PAP is the treatment of choice if the client is compliant. For the past ten years, sleep physicians have become more accepting of oral appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea.  In fact, treatment guidelines now support a prescription of oral appliances as a first-line treatment choice for mild to moderate sleep apnea. What is an oral sleep appliance? Oral sleep appliances are devices that are worn in the mouth. Most patients are able to sleep with their mouth closed while wearing an oral appliance, and they generally do not have any attaching lines or electrical components. Although C-PAP therapy can be more therapeutic than an oral appliance if a person religiously wears their C-PAP machine, studies show that oral appliance wearers are more compliant more of the time, thus rendering it more effective. How does an oral appliance work? By use of the special attachments between the upper and lower parts of the oral appliance, the lower jaw can be moved forward and held in position while the patient sleeps, keeping the airway open. My expertise as a dentist is to determine a therapeutic position of the lower jaw that will keep the airway open at night and not cause pain in the jaw joint or its associated muscles.  The tongue muscle is one of the major offenders in obstructing the airway.  By holding the jaw forward, the back of the tongue is brought partly out of the airway.  The slight tension this causes on the associated muscles in and around the airway, also help to improve or lesson the severity of the patient’s apnea. Am I a good candidate for an oral sleep appliance? If you have your natural teeth, or a good-fitting denture with at least the lower denture being retained by implants, you are likely a good candidate.  If you have jaw or TMJ issues, the majority of the time I can incorporate the treatment of your sleep apnea and your jaw joint problems in the fabrication of your oral appliance. The severity of your apnea may make oral appliances less effective than a C-PAP.  With this noted, combination treatment, meaning wearing a C-PAP device and an oral appliance simultaneously, can lower the C-PAP pressures, making C-PAP compliance more tolerable.  Of course, if you are a C-PAP failure, oral appliance treatment is your only alternative, even though the treatment results are less than optimal. How can I obtain a sleep appliance? You can request a referral from your physician to see a dentist such as myself, who has received special training to treat patients with sleep apnea. They will fit you for an oral sleep appliance and adjust it to ensure comfort, working closely with your physician to maximize its effectiveness. If you have any questions, please make a no-charge consultation appointment with my office and I will assess your circumstances, and make the necessary referral and/or request to a sleep physician.    
Health

Treating Sleep Apnea May Reverse Brain Changes

Posted on by CPAPstore
Sleep apnea treatment may reverse changes in brain stem activity associated with increased risk of heart disease, a new study suggests. The findings “highlight the effectiveness of CPAP treatment in reducing one of the most significant health issues [heart disease] associated with obstructive sleep apnea,” the researchers concluded. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. Previous research suggests that people with obstructive sleep apnea have greater activity in nerves associated with stress response, which can lead to high blood pressure and heart problems. This increased nerve activity is due to altered brain stem function caused by sleep apnea, earlier studies have shown. In this small study, published recently in the Journal of Neurophysiology, Australian researchers found that CPAP treatment reduced that nerve activity by restoring normal brain stem function. The study included 13 sleep apnea patients who were assessed before and after six months of CPAP treatment. “These data strongly suggest that functional and anatomical changes within the brain stem, which we believe underlie the elevated sympathetic activity in individuals with untreated obstructive sleep apnea, can be restored to healthy levels by CPAP treatment,” the University of Sydney researchers wrote. In obstructive sleep apnea, muscles in the airway collapse during sleep and block breathing. A CPAP device keeps airways open by delivering a steady flow of air while patients sleep.
Devices, Health, News

All you need to know about sleep apnoea

Posted on by CPAPstore
All you need to know about sleep apnoea
07
Apr
Sleep apnoea is a condition where people repeatedly stop breathing while asleep. People with sleep apnoea often complain of daytime sleepiness, difficulties concentrating, and they tend to have high blood pressure. The people around them usually complain about their nightly snoring, gasping, and choking noises. About 5% of people have treatable moderate or severe sleep apnoea, which means they stop breathing 15 times or more times per hour while asleep. A larger number of people – as many as 20% of middle-aged folk – have mild sleep apnoea, which means they stop breathing around five to 15 times an hour. Although this may sound pretty scary, it’s still not clear that this mild version causes ill health. Left untreated, sleep apnoea will not only shorten your life by hastening a string of illnesses, it may also increase your risk of suffering from depression. And the general sleepiness of people with the condition is thought to as much as triple their risk for car accidents and injury.
Stroke risk The prevalence of sleep apnoea increases in ageing societies that are getting heavier, along with other age and obesity-related diseases. But studies from around the world show your risk of developing these diseases is strongly influenced by whether or not you have sleep apnoea in the first place. In particular, the condition has been linked to stroke and cancer. The consequences of stroke can range from between temporary inconvenience to serious life-altering disability and death. Smoking, cholesterol, and high blood pressure are three key causes of stroke that you can control. And, unfortunately, sleep apnoea has a big impact on the latter. The condition causes your daytime blood pressure to increase a little bit over the long term. And, while you’re asleep, it causes massive spikes in blood pressure. Sleep apnoea also might make your ability to process cholesterol a little less efficient. So it’s not terribly surprising that studies from Spain, the United States,and Australia have all found people with untreated sleep apnoea are three times more likely to have a stroke. And cancer One of the more surprising recent research findings is sleep apnoea’s influence on cancer risk. Researchers really weren’t expecting to find this because we’d always thought sleep apnoea mainly influenced heart disease. But in study after study from around the world we’ve seen that sleep apnoea increases the risk of cancer as well. And this association is not explained by other known cancer risks. At this stage, we don’t think sleep apnoea causes cells to become cancerous. It might be that if you have a few cancer cells in your body, the constant up and down of oxygen levels in your blood while you sleep causes those cells to grow more quickly. So instead of having a cancer that you never even realise you have or a slow-growing one, you get a faster growing and more aggressive version. It’s yet to be confirmed but melanomas are thought to be particularly likely to proliferate quickly when you have sleep apnoea. 1-hereswhatyou Some good news Being the harbinger of bad news isn’t much fun so I’d like to give you some good news now. If you’ve only got mild sleep apnoea, or you just snore a bit, you probably don’t have an increased risk of illness. In fact, if you have mild sleep apnoea, you might be able to manage your risk quite effectively with dietary changes, which will improve your overall heath and stop you from developing a more severe version of the condition. If you’ve got severe sleep apnoea, it’s really serious but still treatable, so it’s time to see a sleep doctor and get something done about it. More good news: if you do have severe sleep apnoea and you get it treated, your risk is much, much lower. What all this adds up to is that sleep apnoea needs to be taken seriously; it’s not just a nuisance snoring condition. Not only will treatment help make you feel better, it will also reduce your risk for all kinds of attendant bad things from happening.
Health

Sleep Apnea and Sex Problems it’s Not Just For Men

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Sleep Apnea and Sex Problems: Not Just For Men
15
Feb

Sleep Apnea and Sex Problems it’s Not Just for Men

Sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, has long been associated with various health complications. While the focus has often been on physical effects like high blood pressure, heart disease, and daytime fatigue, sleep apnea can also lead to sexual dysfunction — and it’s not just a men’s issue. Both men and women can experience challenges in their sexual health due to untreated sleep apnea, affecting intimacy, satisfaction, and overall well-being.

How Sleep Apnea Impacts Sexual Health

Sleep apnea’s repeated interruptions in breathing lead to lower blood oxygen levels, fragmented sleep, and increased stress on the body. This combination impacts physical and mental health in several ways that can affect sexual function for both men and women:

  1. Hormonal Changes: Sleep apnea disrupts the body’s normal hormone cycles. Testosterone, a hormone associated with sexual drive in both sexes, is typically replenished during deep sleep stages. In sleep apnea, these stages are interrupted, often leading to lower testosterone levels. This can result in a decreased libido for both men and women.
  2. Fatigue and Mood Changes: The chronic exhaustion caused by sleep apnea can reduce overall energy levels, making the idea of intimacy less appealing. Additionally, poor-quality sleep can lead to mood swings, irritability, and even depression — all factors that can diminish interest and satisfaction in sexual relationships.
  3. Impaired Blood Flow: For men, reduced blood oxygen levels associated with sleep apnea can lead to problems with blood flow, which is essential for erectile function. Women, too, rely on proper blood flow for arousal and pleasure, so sleep apnea-related oxygen dips can affect their experience as well.
  4. Impact on Relationships: Poor sleep, snoring, and waking up throughout the night can create distance and frustration between partners. The physical and emotional toll of these disruptions can add tension to relationships, making intimacy even more challenging.

Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women with Sleep Apnea

For Men:

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is common among men with untreated sleep apnea. Studies have found a direct relationship between the severity of sleep apnea and the occurrence of ED, highlighting how reduced oxygen levels and hormonal disruptions interfere with sexual performance and desire. However, with effective treatment, such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, many men experience improvements in both erectile function and libido.

For Women:

While sexual dysfunction in women with sleep apnea is less frequently discussed, research shows that it is just as prevalent. Women with untreated sleep apnea often report low libido, difficulty with arousal, and reduced satisfaction. These issues are also linked to hormonal disruptions and fatigue but are often less recognized and less frequently treated. Many women experience improvements in sexual health when their sleep apnea is managed, typically with CPAP therapy or other interventions.

The Role of CPAP Therapy in Improving Sexual Health

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the primary treatment for sleep apnea, keeps the airway open, allowing for uninterrupted breathing and more restful sleep. Studies show that regular use of CPAP therapy can restore natural sleep cycles, leading to improved hormone regulation, increased energy levels, and better overall mood. For many individuals, these changes translate into a renewed sense of vitality and sexual interest.

In addition, improved oxygen levels from CPAP therapy can benefit blood flow, enhancing arousal and erectile function. The mental and emotional benefits of better sleep can also improve relationships, making intimacy more achievable and enjoyable.

Addressing Sleep Apnea and Sexual Health: A Shared Journey

If you or your partner are experiencing both sleep apnea and sexual difficulties, addressing them together can be beneficial. It’s essential to recognize that these issues are interconnected and not unusual for either gender. Consulting with a sleep specialist can be the first step in addressing sleep apnea, which in turn may improve both partners’ experiences with intimacy. Other lifestyle changes, such as weight management, reducing alcohol consumption, and stress reduction, can also support both sleep quality and sexual health.

Ultimately, recognizing and treating sleep apnea can improve more than just sleep — it can also rejuvenate aspects of life that contribute to happiness, connection, and well-being. By acknowledging that these issues affect everyone, men and women alike, we can open the door to better conversations, understanding, and support for comprehensive health.

Conclusion: CPAP Therapy as a Path to Improved Sexual Health

For individuals affected by sleep apnea, CPAP therapy offers more than just relief from sleep disruptions; it can be a gateway to restoring and enhancing sexual health. By ensuring a steady supply of oxygen and improving overall sleep quality, CPAP therapy helps the body rebalance crucial hormones, reduce fatigue, and stabilize mood. These physical and emotional benefits translate into better energy, greater libido, and improved arousal and satisfaction for both men and women. CPAP therapy can also foster closer relationships by alleviating issues like loud snoring and interrupted sleep, which often strain intimacy. As sleep quality and health improve, many people find themselves more engaged and revitalized in their relationships, demonstrating that effective sleep apnea treatment with CPAP can play a critical role in rekindling intimacy and restoring sexual well-being.

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Trucking Wakes Up To Sleep Apnea

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Efforts under way to address condition that adds to fatigue Prevalence of sleep apnea among licensed Commercial Drivers: ■ 17% mild sleep apnea ■ 5% moderate ■ 4% severe Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Transportation Risk Managers and Commercial Drivers are grappling with the problem of sleep apnea, a condition that contributes to daytime drowsiness, as they try to find ways to improve safety on the road. According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration commissioned study, out of 3.4 million licensed Commercial Drivers, approximately 26% of drivers suffering from some form of sleep apnea. Studies have shown that sleep apnea can severely impact driving performance by greatly increasing fatigue, boosting the risk of crashes. Though the commercial trucking industry is aware of the prevalence of sleep apnea among drivers, there still is much to be learned in the way the condition is diagnosed, treated and monitored, experts say. Sleep apnea is a condition in which the airway is constricted due to muscular relaxation while sleeping, with interruptions in breathing lasting several seconds at a time, often accompanied by loud snoring and resulting in non-restful sleep. Individuals considered at risk for sleep apnea are those with a body mass index of 30 or greater and a neck circumference of 17 inches or more, experts say, adding that such people often suffer from additional health problems related to obesity, such as diabetes and heart problems. Many people with sleep apnea don’t even know they have it, researchers say, adding that the sleep disorder often results in daytime sleepiness, which has severe effects on reflexes and cognitive and motor skills. “I promise you there are thousands of Commercial Drivers out there that have some form of sleep apnea,” said Don Osterberg, Vice President of Safety and Driver Training for Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Schneider National Inc. “Many drivers don’t want to talk about it, or are in denial that they have a medical condition, or don’t even know they have it. They are not educated on sleepiness, and they might think that daytime sleepiness is normal to them and they don’t realize it is abnormal.” Mr. Osterberg said at least 17% of drivers at Schneider are afflicted with severe sleep apnea. To deal with the issue, Mr. Osterberg said Schneider recently funded an initiative to help diagnose and treat their drivers as a way to help mitigate health care costs and reduce the crash risk on the road. As a result, Mr. Osterberg said Schneider has seen a “significant reduction” in the frequency and severity of crashes. “Making this a safety priority has paid back dividends,” he said. Drivers who are diagnosed with sleep apnea are required by the FMCSA to be “disqualified until diagnosis of sleep apnea is ruled out or has been treated successfully.”
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facing a problem with your memory?

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A small test that have been done on 18 people with severe sleep apnea showed that this ability called spatial memory was impaired when sleep apnea disturb the phase of REM stage of sleep even when other stage weren’t effected. Sleep apnea may make it hard for you to remember simple things, such as where you parked your car or left your house keys, a small study suggests. Tests on 18 people with severe sleep apnea showed that this ability –called spatial memory — was impaired when sleep apnea disrupted rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, even when other stages of sleep weren’t affected. REM sleep is the deepest level of sleep, during which dreams typically occur. “We’ve shown for the first time that sleep apnea, an increasingly common medical condition, might negatively impact formation of certain memories, even when the apnea is limited to REM sleep,” study leader Dr. Andrew Varga, a clinical instructor of medicine in the division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, said in an NYU news release. “Our findings suggest memory loss might be an additional symptom for clinicians to screen for in their patients with sleep apnea,” added Varga, who is also an attending physician in NYU’s Sleep Disorders Center. While the study found an association between sleep apnea and impaired memory, it did not prove a direct cause-and-effect link between the two. The study was published online Oct. 29 in the Journal of Neuroscience. People with sleep apnea experience periods of disrupted breathing during the night. Sleep apnea can occur at any stage of sleep, but is often worst during REM sleep. Some people have sleep apnea only during REM sleep, the researchers noted. Sleep apnea affects 4 percent of Americans overall, and as many as one in four middle-aged men.
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What is central sleep apnea and what causes it?

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Central sleep apnea (CSA) occurs when the brain does not send the signal to breathe to the muscles of breathing. This usually occurs in infants or in adults with heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or congenital diseases, but it also can be caused by some medications and high altitudes. Central sleep apnea may occur in premature infants (born before 37 weeks of gestation) or in full-term infants. It is defined as apneas lasting more than 20 seconds, usually with a change in the heart rate, a reduction in blood oxygen, or hypotonia (general relaxation of the body’s muscles). These children often will require an apnea monitor that sounds an alarm when apneas occur. Central sleep apnea in children is not the same thing assudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Under normal circumstances, the brain monitors several things to determine how often to breathe. If it senses a lack of oxygen or an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood it will speed up breathing. The increase in breathing increases the oxygen and decreases the carbon dioxide in blood. Some people with heart or lung disease have an increase in carbon dioxide in their blood at all times. When there is a chronic (long-term) increase in blood carbon dioxide, the brain starts to ignore the oxygen level and monitors the blood carbon dioxide level to determine when to take the next breath. The control of breathing also becomes slower to respond to changes in carbon dioxide levels; so when a person takes more or deeper breaths and “blows off” carbon dioxide the drive to breathe decreases and the rate of breathing decreases. As a result of slower rate of breathing, carbon dioxide builds back up in the blood and the rate of breathing increases again. The brain, slow to adjust, continues to signal for more rapid breathing until the carbon dioxide level drops too low. Breathing then slows down or stops until the carbon dioxide level rises again. This pattern of abnormal breathing is called Cheyne-Stokes breathing (after the men who described it). It is characterized by repetitive cycles of fast breathing followed by slow breathing and apnea. This breathing pattern happens when the person is awake or asleep, but becomes more of a problem when asleep. Some patients with heart failure have central sleep apnea associated with a Cheyne-Stokes pattern of breathing. Central sleep apnea usually occurs in adults with other medical problems. In infants, it usually occurs with prematurity or other congenital disorders. In both patient groups it is usually suspected by the primary care doctor. Central sleep apnea can be diagnosed with a sleep study or overnight monitoring while the patient is in the hospital. In infants, central sleep apnea is treated with an apnea alarm. This alarm monitors the infant’s breathing with sensors and sounds a loud noise when the infant experiences an apnea. The alarm usually wakes the infant and the parents. Most infants usually “out-grow” the central apnea episodes, so the alarm monitoring is stopped after the episodes resolve. In infants with other congenital problems, apnea monitoring may be needed for a longer period. In adults with central sleep apnea, the apneas are treated by treating the underlying heart disease, medication interaction, high altitude, or other primary problem.
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 8/27/2014
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Sleep apnoea, sleepiness, inflammation and insulin resistance in middle-aged males and females

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Abstract

In obese males obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance; however, findings are confounded by adipose tissue, a hormone- and cytokine-secreting organ. Our goal was to examine whether in a relatively nonobese population, OSA is associated with sleepiness and inflammation/insulin resistance, and to assess the effects of a 2-month placebo-controlled continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) use.

77 subjects, 38 middle-aged males and post-menopausal females with OSA and 39 male and female controls, were studied in the sleep laboratory for 4 nights. Measures of sleepiness (objective and subjective), performance, serial 24-h blood samples for interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-1, leptin and adiponectin, and single samples for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), fasting glucose and insulin levels were obtained.

Apnoeic males were significantly sleepier and had significantly higher hsCRP, IL-6, leptin and insulin resistance than controls. Apnoeic females had significantly higher hsCRP; however, objective sleepiness, IL-6, TNFR-1, insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment index), leptin and adiponectin were similar to controls. CPAP improved subjective sleepiness, but no changes were observed in any of the biomarkers.

In conclusion, OSA is associated with sleepiness, inflammation and insulin resistance, even in nonobese males, and this association is stronger in males than in females. Short-term CPAP does not improve the inflammatory/metabolic aberrations in OSA.

  Original Article – Sleep Medicine
  • Ilia Kritikou,
  • Maria Basta,
  • Alexandros N. Vgontzas,
  • Slobodanka Pejovic,
  • Duanping Liao,
  • Marina Tsaoussoglou,
  • Edward O. Bixler,
  • Zacharias Stefanakis,
  • and George P. Chrousos
Eur Respir J January 2014 43:145–155; published ahead of print April 18, 2013, doi:10.1183/09031936.00126712
Health

Scheduled for surgery? Read more Before it!

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New research suggests that you may want to get screened and treated for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before going under the knife. According to a first-of-its-kind study in the October issue of Anesthesiology, the official medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA®), patients with OSA who are diagnosed and treated for the condition prior to surgery are less likely to develop serious cardiovascular complications such as cardiac arrest or shock.

“OSA is a common disorder that affects millions and is associated with an increased risk of surgical complications, but the condition often goes unrecognized,” said Thomas Mutter, M.D., lead author, department of anesthesia and perioperative medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. “As many as 25 percent of surgical patients may have OSA, but the vast majority of these patients aren’t treated or don’t know they have the disorder.” OSA causes the soft tissue in the rear of the throat to narrow and repeatedly close during sleep. The brain responds to each of these “apnea events” by waking the person in order to resume breathing. Since apnea events can happen hundreds of times per night, sleep becomes broken and ineffective and can lead to serious health problems if undetected. Those who are overweight or have high blood pressure are predisposed to developing OSA. It tends to occur in men but women can also develop OSA. Symptoms of apnea may include: heavy snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep and excessive sleepiness during the day. The study compared postoperative outcomes in 4,211 patients with OSA, who were diagnosed by sleep study either before or after surgery, with a matched control group of patients who did not have the condition. Those who were diagnosed with OSA prior to surgery were prescribed treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. CPAP keeps a patient’s airway open by gently delivering pressurized air through a face mask. The study found that although patients with untreated OSA were at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications, patients who were diagnosed and treated with CPAP therapy before surgery were less than half as likely to experience cardiovascular complications such as cardiac arrest or shock. Additionally, researchers found that respiratory complications were twice as likely to occur in patients with OSA, compared to patients without the condition, regardless of when patients were diagnosed or if CPAP therapy was prescribed. For both cardiovascular and respiratory complications, increasing severity of OSA was associated with increased risk. Age, type of surgery and other diseases were also important risk factors   Journal Reference:
  1. Thomas C. Mutter, Dan Chateau, Michael Moffatt, Clare Ramsey, Leslie L. Roos, Meir Kryger. A Matched Cohort Study of Postoperative Outcomes in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Anesthesiology, 2014; 121 (4): 707 DOI:10.1097/ALN.0000000000000407