How to Effectively Stop Snoring

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

There are numerous remedies and cures out there on how to stop snoring. In fact, there are so many that it can be quite confusing to choose the right one. There are many easy and inexpensive ways to start today to battle your snoring problem.

Steps

1. Get An Extra Pillow
   
2. At times learning how to stop snoring is as simple as buying an extra pillow. The reason? Sometimes when we sleep, the neck tends to collapse either to the front or to the back. This constricts the normal airways and causes you to start snoring. By getting an extra pillow, you elevate your head, making it less prone to being thrown back or to the front. This is turn relaxes and frees your airways, making it much easier to breathe.
   
3. A while ago, sleeping on your back was a common way to learn how to stop snoring. But studies have shown that this isn't the best option if you are obese. If you are overweight, sleeping on your back puts an added strain on your neck muscles, making it difficult to breathe. Unfortunately, obesity in itself is a factor that causes snoring and losing weight is usually the best way to get to the root of the problem.
   
4. A Team Effort
   
5. Even if you are learning how to stop snoring, it's not something that will happen overnight. Especially if you have conditioned yourself to sleep in certain positions, it might take some time for you to get used to new ways of sleeping. It can be very helpful to get your partner involved in your anti-snoring strategies. Not only will you partner be helping you, he or she will also be helping themselves get a good night's sleep. If you start snoring in the middle of the night, your partner can give you a gentle nudge in the shoulder or back. This usually stops the snoring and allows the sleeper to resettle.
   
6. Usually, it's the position of the pillow that triggers a snoring fit. If a person starts to snore, give the pillow a brief but very strong tug. If possible, you can try to roll the person to their side, to stop them from snoring. Another option is to gently hold their nose closed- this will automatically cause them to start breathing through their mouth, stopping the snoring.
   
7. Get a Slumber Guard Anti-snoring Device - it comes with a Money Back Guarantee and holds the lower jaw in a forward position so that it doesn't collapse into the throat, causing the snoring sound.
   
8. Buy a SnoreMed Anti Snoring Mouthpiece that is a comfortable to wear, custom shaped mouth piece that holds the lower jaw forward during sleep to open your airway passage and eliminate snoring in 85% of users. It is recommended by dentists and doctors.
   

Tips

• If you are a heavy drinker and smoker, these are probably contributing to your snoring problem as well. Cutting them out, at least before you go to bed can greatly reduce your snoring problem. It will also do wonders for your overall health and that's always a welcome initiative. Learning how to stop snoring can be a step to better health and better sleeping for everyone.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Stop Snoring
  
• How to Know if You Have a Sleep Apnea
  
• How to Share a Hotel Room With Strangers
  
• How to Treat Insomnia
  

Sources and Citations

• [1] www.slumberguard.com.au
  
• [2] www.isnore.be
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Effectively Stop Snoring. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

CPAP Mask Guide - What Is A CPAP Mask And Can It Really Stop You From Snoring?

CPAP Mask Guide - What Is A CPAP Mask And Can It Really Stop You
From Snoring?
By John Spencer



If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, it's probable that
your doctor will prescribe a CPAP mask for you to wear when you
sleep at night. CPAP, an acronym for continuous positive airway
pressure, is a machine that delivers pressurized air that
prevents the apneas from occurring. With in a week or so of
using the machine, you'll start to see a dramatic decrease in
the side effects that sleep apnea can cause. For example, many
people who suffer with the sleeping disorder experience
depression, mood swings and morning headaches, among other
things. Most dangerous is the pressure it puts on the heart,
which can culminate in a severe coronary heart attack that can
end in death.

When faced between a heart attack and wearing a funky CPAP mask
to sleep at night, most sleep apnea sufferers will choose the
mask in a heartbeat. The masks can either fit over the nose or
over the nose and mouth, depending on if you breathe through you
mouth when you sleep. The mask is attached to tubing, which is
connected to the CPAP machine. The CPAP mask is custom fit to
create a seal with your face, and straps that go around the head
gear portion of the mask can be adjusted to ensure a proper fit.

It is very important that the CPAP mask is sealed to your face,
because if it isn't it will be rendered useless as air seeps in
and out. Straps that are too loose allow the air to leak in and
out, while straps that are too tight can be uncomfortable and
enable the seal to break. Regardless, it's important that the
CPAP mask that you choose is as comfortable as possible. If it's
a pain to wear, you'll be less likely to regularly use the
device and you'll be right back where you started in the first
place.

About the Author: To learn how to stop snoring quickly and
easily, visit http://www.StopSnoringSystem.com/ today! FREE
newsletter reveals CPAP mask advice and more!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=183921&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet

Coping with Sleep Apnea CPAP Machines on the road for Truck Drivers

Coping with Sleep Apnea CPAP Machines on the road for Truck Drivers

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night

Buy a 350 watt inverter that plugs into the cigarette lighter and this provides enough current to run the machine.

You might want to get a 1500 watt inverter as a back up hard wired to the batteries.
The 350 watt will not power small appliances like (microwave, toaster oven, sandwich maker).

Be sure you check with your company you work for before you install a hard wired inverter. Many companies do not allow this. The ones that plug into the cigarette lighter should not be a problem.

Typical symptoms of sleep apnea are fatigue during the day, and difficulty breathing at night such as if you lay on your back your throat closes up restricting the airflow to your lungs. Mouth breathing is also a tell tale problem. Other symptoms include irritability, loud snoring, frequent heartburn, restless sleep patterns (such as tossing and turning all night), no recollection of dreams, the desire to lay down for a nap after a couple of hours driving, and even reduced sex drive.

Living With the CPAP Mask

Living With the CPAP Mask
By Dhaxel Barqs

When you have sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at some point
to relieve the symptoms of the disorder. You have to use it all
night, every night! Doing otherwise will only serve to make the
symptoms come back, thus, worsening your condition.

Admittedly, this is easier said than done especially with the
initially unwieldy CPAP mask. Fortunately, there are some things
that you can do to live, maybe even love, it. After all, a good
night's sleep for everybody after months of the worst of sleep
apnea symptoms is good!

Use it Outside the Bedroom

You have to gradually adapt to the feeling of having a CPAP
mask on. Thus, wear it around the house as much as you possibly
can - while watching television, reading books and newspapers,
even writing your letters. This way, you accustom yourself to
the feeling of the mask hugging your face albeit without the
forced air pressure.

Don't worry if it makes you look like an alien from the far
reaches of the universe. It will only ad to your worries if you
worry too much about your vanity. The important thing is that
you will be relieved of your sleep apnea, which will also bring
relief to your family and friends. Yes, it's not just you who is
suffering - the people who care about you do, too.

Use it During Naps

Slowly but surely, you must wear the mask with air pressure
blowing through it especially during your naps. This way, you
get accustomed to the whole setup of the CPAP machine. Of
course, the machine itself is relatively quiet so you won't have
much difficulty living with it. The CPAP mask is harder to live
with because it is plastered unto your face!

When you have gotten used to the mask during short naps, it
will be easier to translate it into longer sleep periods at
night. Soon, you might even sleep with the mask on as if there's
almost nothing there! Emphasis is, of course, on almost.

Use the Right Size and the Right Mask

Some sufferers complain that their masks are either too tight
or too loose. This is a minor problem considering that there are
many types and sizes of masks available in the market today. The
trick is in finding the CPAP that you can live with. Or at
least, sleep comfortably with.

Mask styles range from full-face masks to masks with nasal
pillows. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages so it's
advisable to experiment with the different styles under the
guidance of your doctor.

Mask size is very important, too. Often, problems arise not so
much from the style of the CPAP mask but from the size of it. As
much as possible, fit the mask before purchasing it just to be
sure. Or better yet, opt for one with adjustable straps in a
size that you know will fit you.

Indeed, living with a CPAP mask can be easy with the right
style and size, not to mention the right attitude and approach
to its use. Besides, it's better to be alive and breathing with
a CPAP machine than being alive but breathing through a
respirator, right?

CPAP Clinic - healthcare at your home
We serve Greater Toronto Area in Canada.
Contact: 1-877-430-CPAP(2727) or info@CPAPClinic.ca

About the Author: At CPAPClinic.ca, you can find the best sleep
apnea mask in Toronto
(http://www.cpapclinic.ca/sleep-apnea-at-home-screening.php) and
Respironics CPAP machines in
Toronto(http://www.cpapclinic.ca/Respironics-products.php). With
a CPAP mask in Toronto (http://www.cpapclinic.ca), you can find
relief from sleep apnea. Visit them now!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link:
http://www.isnare.com/?aid=404531&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Sleep Apnea Devices by David Silva

Sleep Apnea Devices by David Silva

Fortunately for sleep apnea sufferers there are solutions. In fact, there are more sleep apnea devices available now than ever before. In this article, we're going to explore some of these devices, how they work, and the benefits they provide.

Sleep apnea is defined as "a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep." These interruptions of sleep are referred to as apneas. They generally span a period of ten seconds or more and can take place any number of times throughout the course of a night. Those who suffer from this condition often wake throughout the night as a result of their struggles to catch their breath. Often, they will have no recollection of these events.

The CPAP Machine

The most common of the sleep apnea devices is the CPAP machine. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a form of therapy that creates a steady stream of air flow into the lungs in order to make it possible for "uninterrupted breathing and unobstructed airways during sleep."

This is accomplished with the use of a CPAP machine and a mask worn over the face. The CPAP machine pumps a consistent flow of air into the mask, which keeps your throat open throughout the night. The result is a reduction of snoring, which is often one of the most common signs of this condition.

A CPAP sleep apnea device should be used whenever you sleep, even for naps. And while a CPAP device will generally reduce the number of apneas throughout the night, it does not cure this condition. It simply allows for a better night's sleep, with more REM sleep. The lack of REM sleep can be one of this condition's most destructive results.

Some people have difficulty with CPAP devices. They find them too noisy or too uncomfortable, or in some cases they wake up with a dry, stuffy nose every morning (there are sleep apnea devices equipped with a heated humidifier that can minimize this last problem).

The Oral Appliance

The next of the most common device for this condition is the oral appliance. Originally, oral appliances were designed to decrease the incidence of snoring and they did an excellent job. However, with improvements in their design they've also become helpful for those who suffer from mild to moderate forms of sleep apnea.

There are a variety of oral devices available. Two of the most popular include the splint and the mandibular advancement device (MAD). The splint keeps the tongue in a particular position throughout the night. By so doing, it allows the air passage to remain open and clear.

The mandibular advancement device (MAD) looks similar to the sports mouth guards that athletes wear for protection. This apparatus forces the lower jaw in a backward direction, which allows for plenty of room for air flow. This encourages you to sleep on your back. It also improves the flow of air into and out of the lungs (although this is less the case for those who suffer from severe forms of this condition).

The oral appliance and the CPAP machine are two of the most common sleep apnea devices. They are also two of the most effective devices. If you've been diagnosed with sleep apnea, ask your doctor about the best treatments for you in your particular situation.



David Silva is the webmaster for Sleep Apnea Insights, a website dedicated to sharing information about sleep apnea, sleep apnea devices, its treatments, and more.

Article Source: http://www.keywordarticles.org

Sleep Disorder Tips To Save Your Health Now

Sleep Disorder Tips To Save Your Health Now by

Insomnia or lack of sleep may have a big effect on judgment, memory, hand to eye coordination, well-being, and reaction-time. Many people who get only four hours of sleep at night take naps during the day. If you're sleep deprived you can easily be more irritable and anger easily whereas if you're not sleep deprived you might feel more relaxed and happy as you went about the day.

Sleep deprivation can suppress or damage the immune system and people whose immune systems are already compromised with various ailments and illnesses will suffer even more. It's reported that the average adult needs about nine hours of sleep, but many studies and people dispute this; report range from four hours to ten hours a night. Some of the most common sleep disorder treatments are directed at insomnia, which in and by itself is a symptom of other disorders, such as, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and narcolepsy.

Make sure to see your sleep specialist as soon as possible if you think you may have sleep apnea or if your spouse or partner says that he or she hear you stop breathing during sleep; take them seriously and get check out by your doctor right away. If not treated, eventually, this sleep disorder - sleep apnea, can sometimes cause a stroke; sleep apnea can cause death if not treated. The disturbed sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, is caused by a problem with the windpipe, a neurological disorder, or sometimes an unknown factor; it causes loud snoring and blocked airways.

The person suffering from a sleep disorder may have difficulty getting to sleep at night or staying asleep as well as having difficulty staying awake throughout the day; they may also experience completely different types of behaviors that prevent them from staying asleep during their normal sleeping hours. Many people who suffer from chronic insomnia worry during the day about not being able to fall asleep and this just contributes to the problem. There are a number of sleep disorders that can appear in different people and even those with similar sleep disorders often display very different symptoms.

The sleep disorder Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is an irresistible urge to move legs while sleeping and often accompanies Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD.) Hypopnea Syndrome is an abnormally shallow breathing or slow respiratory rate while sleeping. Narcolepsy is the sleep disorder of falling asleep spontaneously and unwillingly.

When you're trying to fall asleep in bed do try to focus on anything pleasant, long enough to distract you from any worries that are keeping you awake. Many doctors are very reluctant to prescribe sleep medication unless it becomes absolutely necessary, which may be the case for you or anyone who is suffering from an injury that is accompanied by severe pain. Your pillows may make you feel as though you're lying uphill or downhill and if they are too hard may press into your head uncomfortably, which will reduce the chance of your falling asleep.

Many contend they have trouble getting to sleep if they go to bed hungry, but research indicates that large meals before going to bed can cause indigestion and even additional sleeping problems; it takes the body a minimum of 2 1/2 hours to go through most of the digestive process and to be fully digested it takes about four or five hours or more but taking enzymes with your meals can speed up the digestive process. Some tips for getting to sleep include taking a warm bath, drinking warm beverages like a warm herb tea for example - but no caffeine, getting a gentle massage, listening to soothing music, repeating positive affirmations or other natural remedies. Some people say that sleeping with your head facing the north helps you fall asleep because your body is better aligned with the earth.

Check out your mattress to see if it's too firm, too soft, or too lumpy etc. By going to bed at the same time each night, your body develops a natural rhythm as it begins to realize it's bedtime. You might be allergic to something in your pillow - dust mites, the materials used, or the detergent or fabric softener used when it's washed.

Concentrating on a few of the insomnia tips you've heard in the past may put your mind at ease long enough to allow you to get a good night's sleep. Some doctors may offer sleeping drugs or medications as a short-term solution along with some insomnia tips, but hopefully will seek to find the underlying cause of the sleeplessness and treat the cause instead of the symptom. Some health experts suggest that contracting the muscles then relaxing the muscles starting with your toes and proceeding upwards as you lie in bed can help you relax.

Finding the best solutions to your sleeping problems or sleep disorder will be worth the investment in time. The choice of a specific treatment depends on your diagnosis, medical and psychiatric history, and personal preferences, as well as the expertise of the sleep specialist or sleep doctor. The doctors and other sleep specialists will have many treatment plans or remedies to offer once you're diagnosed, if you go to a sleep disorder center.



For more information on sleep disorder and sleep disorder treatments go to http://www.SleepDisorderTips.com a nurse's website specializing in sleep disorder tips, treatments, natural treatments, causes and remedies for adult child and infant including information on insomnia and sleep disorder centers

Article Source: http://www.keywordarticles.org

Wondering How To Stop Snoring? Here Are The Best Snoring Remedies

by Jonathan Higgins

Here are some effective snoring remedies if you want to know how to stop snoring. These remedies fall into two major categories: long term and short term, or proactive and reactive or, preventative and prescriptive. Let's have a look.

How To Stop Snoring With Long Term Snoring Remedies

You need to know the difference between what will cure your snoring by attacking its root cause and what will merely mask it by only treating the symptoms (while the cause remains intact). Let's take a look at what is causing your snoring.

Snoring is caused by a narrowing of the airway to the point where air is partially obstructed causing the snoring noise to occur. It doesn't get more complicated than that. If the airway is completely closing cutting off breathing in the process, then we call that obstructive sleep apnea. If this is happening you need to see a doctor immediately. The preventative steps to eliminating snoring can also eliminate sleep apnea.

The secret of how to stop snoring with long term snoring remedies is to find out why your airway is narrowing during sleep. The first thing that should be considered here is weight. People who are overweight build up fat and tissue all over their body, including the neck and throat. Losing just 10 pounds of bodyweight can decrease or even stop snoring all together. If there is no improvement after losing 10 pounds then lose another 10 pounds. I'm serious! Losing weight will also put you at less risk of a myriad of other chronic diseases.

If you are as thin as a rail or you are certain that your snoring has nothing to do with your weight, then the next option you need to consider is throat exercises. These special exercises strengthen the muscle and tissue in your throat so the airway doesn't narrow during sleep and cause snoring. I talk about these exercises in other articles on my site.

Finally, if you are certain your snoring has nothing to do with being overweight. And, you have faithfully tried the throat exercises by still snore. Then and only then would I consider you a candidate for snoring surgery. However, this decision needs to be made with your doctor.

How To Stop Snoring With Short Term Snoring Remedies

Knowing how to stop snoring with short term snoring remedies is the second piece in curing your snoring problem. The long term remedy isn't going to give the results now. But, you need to stop snoring now. You need some solutions to stop your snoring while you are waiting for the long term remedy to kick in. Basically the effective approaches are of three kinds. First, make sure you are not doing anything to cause your throat to narrow while sleeping. The second approach is to control your sleeping position. The third approach are to use devices.

Keeping The Throat Open

Do not eat, drink or take anything that will cause your throat to relax and narrow. Do not drink alcohol, take pain medication or any medicine that causes you to relax before going to bed. These items cause the muscles in your throat to relax and your throat to narrow.

Sleeping Position

Sleep on your side, not your back. Sew a tennis ball to the back of a shirt and wear it while you sleep if you need to. Also, sleep with your head higher up. There are also special pillows you can buy for this.

Snoring Devices

Visit your local drug store and see what they have for snoring strips or other stop snoring devices. Mayne you will find one that works for you.

Remember that these short term solutions for how to stop snoring with snoring remedies are only going to stop the snoring temporarily. If for some reason none of these options don't work you will still snore. On the other hand, the long term approaches may get rid of your snoring for ever.

About the Author

Jonathan Higgins is an expert on snoring. He has developed a whole series on home remedies for snoring that he would be glad to share with you. Just send him an email at treatsnoring@aweber.com.
Treat Snoring.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to periodically stop at night, is an under diagnosed disorder that can lead to serious health problems as well as impaired quality of life. However, with proper treatment, you can conquer your apnea and improve your heath tremendously. Here are some guidelines on what to do if you suspect that you have apnea.

Steps

1. If you routinely wake up feeling unrefreshed, fall asleep during the day, feel a decline in your mental sharpness, notice yourself sometimes waking up gasping or out of breath every few minutes, or have feelings of depression, consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study. If you wake several times during the night, and maybe more frequently towards the end of your sleep cycle - when sleep apnea is at its worst. If you sometimes do not remember covering the last few miles while driving, or drift off most times you are the passenger in a car traveling any distance, you also should consider that discussion. These are all signs of unrestorative sleep, and OSA is a major cause of unrestorative sleep. You may have accepted any or all of these issues as part of your life, and so not be aware of their impact on your life's quality.
   
2. Ask your sleeping partner if they hear you snoring loudly or a steady rise and fall of snore volume, snorting or stopping breathing entirely at any point during the night, or during nap times in the day. Sleep apnea can sound a lot like snoring, often mistaken for steady breathing. Apnea is, in fact, a small step beyond snoring, if you snore chances are you will eventually develop some form of apnea as you get older.
   
3. If your doctor agrees you might have OSA, they will write a prescription for a sleep study. In a sleep study, you will go to a sleep laboratory and be hooked up to electrodes to monitor your breathing, blood oxygen saturation, sleep state, and general physical state overnight. Some sleep centers and insurance companies require two separate studies, one for diagnosis and a second, called the titration study, which will identify whether some variation on CPAP therapy will fix your OSA. In some cases, these two studies will be combined in one night, but the results of that first study are always used by a doctor to diagnose OSA.
   
4. If you have OSA, your doctor may discuss treatment options with you. The most common treatment, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and their variations, use air pressure in your airway to keep that airway open. Other treatments include several types of operations to remove part of the tissue that blocks the airway and tracheotomy for extreme cases.
   
5. If your study results show that you have apnea, and your doctor believes a CPAP or variant is the right treatment for you, they will write you a prescription for a CPAP machine. You will then have to deal with your health insurance company and a DME (Durable Medical Equipment supplier) to get the equipment you need to successfully treat your apnea. The DME supplier will be responsible for supplying the equipment, setting it to your prescription, fitting whatever mask or nasal plugs you'll be using, fitting whatever headgear you will be using, and training you in how to clean and maintain your equipment. They should also check back regularly, to replenish filters, to replace masks and headgear as needed (roughly twice year, usually), to check the accuracy of your CPAP settings, and to answer any questions you might have.
   
6. Find a mask that works well for you. Mask options range from nasal pillows to nasal masks to full face masks. Your DME may not provide you with a variety of options, but be assured that they are out there. Many people find fitting their mask properly to be the most crucial part of adapting to CPAP therapy.
   
7. Request a heated humidifier and extra bacterial filters for your machine. Most DMEs do not provide these as a matter of course, but they should be standard to help protect the delicate mucous membranes of the nasal passages and lungs.
   
8. Take it slowly. Many people find getting used to CPAP difficult. Try wearing your mask and machine for progressively longer periods during the day, until you are ready to sleep with it.
   
9. Be patient and determined. It takes time to iron out the wrinkles in CPAP therapy, and you may not see the benefits immediately, especially if your body has a large "sleep debt" to make up. However, rest assured that your health and well-being will improve tremendously when your apnea is treated.
   
10. Enjoy your new life as a properly rested person!
    

Video

Tips

• Older people and those who are overweight are at a higher risk for developing sleep apnea, but the condition can happen to anyone, even those who don't fit the profile.
  
• Be assertive when dealing with your insurance company and DME. These people are out to make money for themselves, and they do not have your interests in mind. Stand up for yourself!
  
• If you have trouble with the high CPAP pressure, consider an APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This machine will stay on a lower pressure for most of the night and increase the pressure when it senses that your airway is collapsing. This machine can behave in a seemingly erratic fashion, sometimes causing irritation during pressure changes.
  
• People with muscles weakness affecting the diaphragm (whether from spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorder) often experience nocturnal hypoventilation, a condition symptomatically similar to sleep apnea, in which breathing becomes too shallow at night. This problem can be easily treated with a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine on specific settings (high IPAP, low EPAP) to support breathing overnight.
  
• Seriously consider joining an online sleep apnea support group. These forums can be invaluable resources for new CPAP users.
  
• The blowing air from the CPAP can cause a painfully dry mouth. If this happens it may be your mouth falling open during sleep, most commonly during REM, a "chin strap" could be used to alleviate this problem. Also, you should have a humidifier that attaches to your CPAP. You can also use an OTC product like "Oasis" from Sensodyne to help keep your mouth moist.
  
• If you have to pay for a CPAP machine out of your own pocket, don't buy one from your doctor. Have the doctor write you a prescription and then buy the machine over the Internet. It can cost you two or three times as much to buy it from your doctor.
  
• Purchasing from an Internet vendor is the best choice for those who have no insurance, limited insurance, or a very high deductible. Some patients don't even realize they have this choice. Shop around. Prices vary greatly from site to site and customer service is paramount when dealing with your health.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
  
• How to Co Sleep Safely With Your Baby
  
• How to Cope With Sleep Paralysis
  
• How to Fall Asleep
  
• How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cpap.com
  
• http://www.cpap.be
  
• http://www.cpaptalk.com
  
• http://www.talkaboutsleep.com
  
• http://www.sleepapneacuresnow.com
  
• http://www.clinicalguard.com/pulse-oximeter-a-2.html
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/cpap-bipap-mask-education-learning.aspx
  
• http://www.sleepapnea.org
  
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148
  
• http://www.bestcpapprice.com
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night

How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing breathing to periodically stop at night, is an under diagnosed disorder that can lead to serious health problems as well as impaired quality of life. However, with proper treatment, you can conquer your apnea and improve your heath tremendously. Here are some guidelines on what to do if you suspect that you have apnea.

Steps

1. If you routinely wake up feeling unrefreshed, fall asleep during the day, feel a decline in your mental sharpness, notice yourself sometimes waking up gasping or out of breath every few minutes, or have feelings of depression, consider talking to your doctor about a sleep study. If you wake several times during the night, and maybe more frequently towards the end of your sleep cycle - when sleep apnea is at its worst. If you sometimes do not remember covering the last few miles while driving, or drift off most times you are the passenger in a car traveling any distance, you also should consider that discussion. These are all signs of unrestorative sleep, and OSA is a major cause of unrestorative sleep. You may have accepted any or all of these issues as part of your life, and so not be aware of their impact on your life's quality.
   
2. Ask your sleeping partner if they hear you snoring loudly or a steady rise and fall of snore volume, snorting or stopping breathing entirely at any point during the night, or during nap times in the day. Sleep apnea can sound a lot like snoring, often mistaken for steady breathing. Apnea is, in fact, a small step beyond snoring, if you snore chances are you will eventually develop some form of apnea as you get older.
   
3. If your doctor agrees you might have OSA, they will write a prescription for a sleep study. In a sleep study, you will go to a sleep laboratory and be hooked up to electrodes to monitor your breathing, blood oxygen saturation, sleep state, and general physical state overnight. Some sleep centers and insurance companies require two separate studies, one for diagnosis and a second, called the titration study, which will identify whether some variation on CPAP therapy will fix your OSA. In some cases, these two studies will be combined in one night, but the results of that first study are always used by a doctor to diagnose OSA.
   
4. If you have OSA, your doctor may discuss treatment options with you. The most common treatment, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines and their variations, use air pressure in your airway to keep that airway open. Other treatments include several types of operations to remove part of the tissue that blocks the airway and tracheotomy for extreme cases.
   
5. If your study results show that you have apnea, and your doctor believes a CPAP or variant is the right treatment for you, they will write you a prescription for a CPAP machine. You will then have to deal with your health insurance company and a DME (Durable Medical Equipment supplier) to get the equipment you need to successfully treat your apnea. The DME supplier will be responsible for supplying the equipment, setting it to your prescription, fitting whatever mask or nasal plugs you'll be using, fitting whatever headgear you will be using, and training you in how to clean and maintain your equipment. They should also check back regularly, to replenish filters, to replace masks and headgear as needed (roughly twice year, usually), to check the accuracy of your CPAP settings, and to answer any questions you might have.
   
6. Find a mask that works well for you. Mask options range from nasal pillows to nasal masks to full face masks. Your DME may not provide you with a variety of options, but be assured that they are out there. Many people find fitting their mask properly to be the most crucial part of adapting to CPAP therapy.
   
7. Request a heated humidifier and extra bacterial filters for your machine. Most DMEs do not provide these as a matter of course, but they should be standard to help protect the delicate mucous membranes of the nasal passages and lungs.
   
8. Take it slowly. Many people find getting used to CPAP difficult. Try wearing your mask and machine for progressively longer periods during the day, until you are ready to sleep with it.
   
9. Be patient and determined. It takes time to iron out the wrinkles in CPAP therapy, and you may not see the benefits immediately, especially if your body has a large "sleep debt" to make up. However, rest assured that your health and well-being will improve tremendously when your apnea is treated.
   
10. Enjoy your new life as a properly rested person!
    

Video

Tips

• Older people and those who are overweight are at a higher risk for developing sleep apnea, but the condition can happen to anyone, even those who don't fit the profile.
  
• Be assertive when dealing with your insurance company and DME. These people are out to make money for themselves, and they do not have your interests in mind. Stand up for yourself!
  
• If you have trouble with the high CPAP pressure, consider an APAP (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure) machine. This machine will stay on a lower pressure for most of the night and increase the pressure when it senses that your airway is collapsing. This machine can behave in a seemingly erratic fashion, sometimes causing irritation during pressure changes.
  
• People with muscles weakness affecting the diaphragm (whether from spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy or other neuromuscular disorder) often experience nocturnal hypoventilation, a condition symptomatically similar to sleep apnea, in which breathing becomes too shallow at night. This problem can be easily treated with a BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure) machine on specific settings (high IPAP, low EPAP) to support breathing overnight.
  
• Seriously consider joining an online sleep apnea support group. These forums can be invaluable resources for new CPAP users.
  
• The blowing air from the CPAP can cause a painfully dry mouth. If this happens it may be your mouth falling open during sleep, most commonly during REM, a "chin strap" could be used to alleviate this problem. Also, you should have a humidifier that attaches to your CPAP. You can also use an OTC product like "Oasis" from Sensodyne to help keep your mouth moist.
  
• If you have to pay for a CPAP machine out of your own pocket, don't buy one from your doctor. Have the doctor write you a prescription and then buy the machine over the Internet. It can cost you two or three times as much to buy it from your doctor.
  
• Purchasing from an Internet vendor is the best choice for those who have no insurance, limited insurance, or a very high deductible. Some patients don't even realize they have this choice. Shop around. Prices vary greatly from site to site and customer service is paramount when dealing with your health.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
  
• How to Co Sleep Safely With Your Baby
  
• How to Cope With Sleep Paralysis
  
• How to Fall Asleep
  
• How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece
  

Sources and Citations

• http://www.cpap.com
  
• http://www.cpap.be
  
• http://www.cpaptalk.com
  
• http://www.talkaboutsleep.com
  
• http://www.sleepapneacuresnow.com
  
• http://www.clinicalguard.com/pulse-oximeter-a-2.html
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com
  
• http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com/cpap-bipap-mask-education-learning.aspx
  
• http://www.sleepapnea.org
  
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sleep-apnea/DS00148
  
• http://www.bestcpapprice.com
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Know When You Have a Sleep Apnea. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night

How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Mouthpiece devices[1] are also known as dental appliances, or mandibular advancement splints. They have been effective for many snorers, including those suffering from mild or moderate obstructive sleep apnea, in fact they have been in use for the last 10 years and clinical trials have reported an 85% success rate. They are small plastic devices worn in the mouth during sleep to prevent the soft throat tissues from collapsing and obstructing the airway. They do this by bringing your lower jaw forward and/or by lifting your soft palate.

Steps

1. Place the mouthpiece in the upright position as in diagram
   
2. Insert the spatula into the holes in the front of the mouthpiece
   
3. Practice moving your bottom jaw forward and find a comfortable forward position.
   

Moulding Instructions:

1. Boil the water.
   
2. Pour the water into the container or remove the pot from the heat source. Hold the mouthpiece using the spatula (be aware of the mouthpiece upright position).
   
3. Place the mouthpiece in the boiled water for 12 seconds. The mouthpiece will appear clear and the plastic will be soft.
   
4. Place the mouthpiece into your mouth (the right way up) still holding the mouthpiece by the spatula.
   
5. Push your lower jaw forward and bite down hard. Suck the air out and use your fingers to push the plastic against your teeth to produce a firm custom fit.
   
6. Use your tongue to push from the other side. Remove the mouthpiece and hold it in cold water to set the shape.
   
7. You can now remove the spatula from the mouthpiece.
   

Tips

• It may take a few nights to get accustomed to sleeping with the mouthpiece.
  
• If you do not stop snoring completely, remould with your jaw extended a little further forward.
  

Warnings

• Sleep apnea
  

Things You'll Need

• A Clear surface near to where the water will be boiled.
  
• Choose a kettle or a pot to boil water.
  
• If you have chosen a kettle, then you will need a container or mug deep enough to submerge the mouthpiece.
  
• You will need a watch, clock or timing device which can measure in seconds.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Stop Snoring
  
• How to Know if You Have a Sleep Apnea
  

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ http://www.snoremeds.com

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Stop Snoring by Using an Anti Snoring Mouthpiece. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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How to Sleep when Someone Is Snoring

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Is your husband or wife a constant snorer? Is your lack of sleep really starting to affect you, in your social, personal, and working life? Read on for some tips on how to sleep with the person next to you that sounds like they're starting an earthquake.

Steps

1. First, see if you can avoid the problem completely. Is the brother or sister you share a room with the one keeping you up? If so, ask for permission to move into another room. It might be time for separate bedrooms, or see if you can trade with another sibling who's a deeper sleeper and won't be as affected. You don't need any more tips if you can avoid sleeping with the snorer.
   
2. If sleeping in the same room can't be avoided, try muffling the sound with earplugs. This can greatly decrease the amount of sound reaching your ears.
   
3. Use a sound generator to drown out the snores. A sound generator allows you to select from a number of different background noises (rushing stream, rain falling, 'white noise', etc.) that are good at blocking out other noises. Particularly loud snoring might require the use of earphones, but be very careful not to turn it too loud—sound levels that don't seem too excessive under normal circumstances can cause ear damage if you have the earphones on all night. Use the generator without earphones if at all possible. Also works for drowning out barking dogs, noisy neighbors, construction racket...
   
4. Ask the person to sleep on their side, turned away from you. This usually helps, although if you have a very keen sense of hearing, you may not hear a difference. The person can fall asleep on their side, which you can get you to sleep. If you wake up during the night because of the snoring, gently roll the person back onto their side, not their stomach. You may seal of all sources of air if their head is in the pillow. See the Warnings.
   
5. If you and the snorer have separate beds, try putting up a partition. This can be a simple as a flowery curtain or a large as bookcases stacked up together in the middle of the room. This might give you and your little sister some privacy, or just keep your brother's snoring on his side of the room.
   
6. If all else fails, ask your doctor for other suggestions. He may be able to give you a sleep aid, or just have some tips like this article. Whatever the reason, a lack of sleep isn't healthy, so always check with your doctor.
   
7. Count the snores! Start with 100 and count backwards, once for each snore. Since most people snore at very regular intervals, the counting will soon put you to sleep.
   

Tips

• If you do not have earplugs, try headphones with light classical music or natural sounds. The music, rain sounds or white noise will drown out the snores, but will not keep you awake. If you prefer natural sounds, sound generators are available; or you can download nature sounds from an online music site, load on to your portable music device, set it to loop with no pauses, put your earphones on, and drown out the snores. Be careful not to set it too loud—don't want to damage your hearing!
  
• Sleep apnea could be a cause of snoring. Check with your doctior. If sleep apnea is the cause, there are breathing machines to assist in proper breathing, thus eliminating the sleep-depriving monster of snoring.
  
• Get a Slumber Guard Anti-snoring Device - they come with a Money Back Guarantee and are available in pharmacies across Australia. You can also purchase online on their website.
  

Warnings

• Never place anything over the snorer's mouth or head to prevent the sound from keeping you up. Suffocation can occur. While it might seem safe, you may be trading in your loved one's life for a couple hours of sleep.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Know if You Have a Sleep Apnea
  
• How to Stop Snoring
  

Sources and Citations

• [1]www.slumberguard.com.au
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Sleep when Someone Is Snoring. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Click Here to Discover An All Natural Method That Permanently Eliminates Snoring And Gives You An Awesome Sleep Every Night