Sleep apnea treatments are designed to help people suffering from sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder often caused by obstruction or closing of the soft tissue in the back part of the mouth and upper area of the throat. Sleep apnea is as common as adult Diabetes. There are many different therapies to treat obstructive sleep apnea from the invasive to the non-invasive to a new procedure called the Pillar Procedure which is mildly invasive. In most cases, patients who are overweight or smoking and suffering from sleep apnea are advised to stop smoking and lose weight in order to facilitate their treatment.
CPAP Treatments
CPAP is one of the more common methods recommended for patients suffering from moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. The device uses a mask that fits over the face either the nose or nose and mouth and applies continues air pressure that will keep the tissue pushed open. While CPAP does not cure sleep apnea, it greatly reduces if not eliminates the episodes.
Some patients report difficulty with the types of masks and may go through several to find one that fits comfortably and allows for sleep. It takes practice to adjust the straps in order to find a fit that is both secure (no leaks) and comfortable (not too much pressure on the face). A chin strap may be required for those who wear only a nasal mask to train the mouth to stay closed during sleep. Many CPAP machines also feature a humidifier function to prevent drying out and damage to the nasal and throat passages.
CPAP machines are not 100% successful and may require some adjustment over time. Significant changes to lifestyle and weight may also require a modification of the pressure on the CPAP machine.
Other Machine Treatments
Like the CPAP, the BiPAP is a machine that applies air pressure while the patient is sleeping. The BiPAP, which stands for bi-level positive airway pressure, adjusts the amount of pressure during different phases of breathing. When a person inhales, the pressure increases and when a person exhales, the pressure decreases. This alleviates the discomfort some patients experience with CPAP when the pressure makes exhaling more difficult.
Oral mandibular appliance or mouth devices are another option for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Snoring mouth pieces are not as effective as CPAP or BiPAP machines when treating severe cases of obstructive apnea, but they can be a more comfortable way of coping with the sleep disorder.
Using a VitalSleep Stop Snoring Mouthpiece Device may be an effective method to treat your snoring. Learn more about how to stop snoring at http://www.vitalsleep.com.
VitalSleep Anti Snoring Mouthguard
Stop Snoring Mouthguard by VitalSleep
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 17, 2010
What is a Polysomnograph?
What is a Polysomnograph?
A polysomnograph is used as a diagnostic test used on patients who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea to record various factors in determining the extent of sleep disorder. Sensors are placed strategically on the patient to test the following:
§ Airflow – this determines the amount of air moving into and out of the airways to determine the extent of sleep apnea occurrences.
§ Brain electrical activity (EEG or Electroencephalogram) – this determines what stage of sleep the patient is in at any time during the test.
§ EKG – this records the heart rate and rhythm during the test and determines if any of the sleep apnea is leading to heart arrhythmias.
§ Eye (EOG or Electroocculogram) - this records the movements of the eye during the test.
§ Jaw muscle movement (EMG or Electromyogram) – this records any waking periods or spastic movements or arousals during the test.
§ Leg muscle movement (EMG or Electromyogram) – this records muscle movements during sleep.
§ Oxygen saturation or Pulse oximeter – this measures the oxygen saturation on fingers and ear lobes.
§ Respiratory effort or piezo crystal effort sensor in the chest and abdominal areas – this determines movements in the chest wall or abdominal areas during breathing.
This sleep study determines if there are any abnormalities in any of the stages of sleep. The stages of sleep are:
§ Awake
§ Transition from wake to sleep
§ Light sleep
§ Transition into Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep
§ Deep sleep
§ REM sleep
With obstructive sleep apnea there is generally more than 50% decrease in airflow with some efforts to breathe lasting over ten seconds. Central sleep apnea is defined when there is no airflow along with the ten second effort to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea means you have both central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea.
Using a VitalSleep Stop Snoring Mouthpiece Device may be an effective method to treat your snoring. Learn more about how to stop snoring at http://www.vitalsleep.com.
A polysomnograph is used as a diagnostic test used on patients who suffers from obstructive sleep apnea to record various factors in determining the extent of sleep disorder. Sensors are placed strategically on the patient to test the following:
§ Airflow – this determines the amount of air moving into and out of the airways to determine the extent of sleep apnea occurrences.
§ Brain electrical activity (EEG or Electroencephalogram) – this determines what stage of sleep the patient is in at any time during the test.
§ EKG – this records the heart rate and rhythm during the test and determines if any of the sleep apnea is leading to heart arrhythmias.
§ Eye (EOG or Electroocculogram) - this records the movements of the eye during the test.
§ Jaw muscle movement (EMG or Electromyogram) – this records any waking periods or spastic movements or arousals during the test.
§ Leg muscle movement (EMG or Electromyogram) – this records muscle movements during sleep.
§ Oxygen saturation or Pulse oximeter – this measures the oxygen saturation on fingers and ear lobes.
§ Respiratory effort or piezo crystal effort sensor in the chest and abdominal areas – this determines movements in the chest wall or abdominal areas during breathing.
This sleep study determines if there are any abnormalities in any of the stages of sleep. The stages of sleep are:
§ Awake
§ Transition from wake to sleep
§ Light sleep
§ Transition into Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep
§ Deep sleep
§ REM sleep
With obstructive sleep apnea there is generally more than 50% decrease in airflow with some efforts to breathe lasting over ten seconds. Central sleep apnea is defined when there is no airflow along with the ten second effort to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea means you have both central sleep apnea as well as obstructive sleep apnea.
Using a VitalSleep Stop Snoring Mouthpiece Device may be an effective method to treat your snoring. Learn more about how to stop snoring at http://www.vitalsleep.com.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Best Cures For Snoring - Anti Snoring Devices
A cure for snoring sounds wonderful especially to those who suffer from it or sleep with a partner who does. There are many reputed answers that are supposed to cure snoring but do they really work? It’s worthwhile to examine each to see if it will benefit you.
Here are some remedies that are helpful to many:
A throat spray can be used to lubricate the soft tissues of the throat and lessen the noisy vibrations and allowing the air to move more freely inside the throat. There are also some homeopathic sprays available that accomplish the same thing.
Plastic devices or nasal strips are often used to cause nasal dilation that allows clearance of the airways to prevent congestion thereby increasing air flow. This also enhances breathing through the nose instead of the mouth thereby reducing snoring.
Stiffening of the palate by having laser surgery or having chemical injections can lessen snoring because the soft tissue can’t move around as freely thus reducing snoring.
Use of a CPAP or Continuous Positive Airways Pressure machine is worn by some to reduce snoring and improve your breathing. However this can be an uncomfortable oxygen mask that is worn at night and some have difficulty wearing it.
Wristbands are sometimes worn that cause a vibration when the person starts snoring thereby awakening them and encouraging them to turn over and is sometimes helpful.
There are a variety of surgeries that can be performed that include removal of the excess tissue in the throat. There are laser or radio frequency options and there are also surgeries for removal of the tonsils or adenoids. Others are surgeries to the nasal passages for a deviated septum or repair to the tissues. These are obviously more painful and expensive.
New on the market it the FDA approved VitalSleep Anti Snoring Mouthguard. This stop snoring mouthpiece repositions the jaw and acts as a mandiular advacement device to help increase the opening of the airway and as a result stop snoring. It is a very inexpensive and effective snoring remedy.
Here are some remedies that are helpful to many:
A throat spray can be used to lubricate the soft tissues of the throat and lessen the noisy vibrations and allowing the air to move more freely inside the throat. There are also some homeopathic sprays available that accomplish the same thing.
Plastic devices or nasal strips are often used to cause nasal dilation that allows clearance of the airways to prevent congestion thereby increasing air flow. This also enhances breathing through the nose instead of the mouth thereby reducing snoring.
Stiffening of the palate by having laser surgery or having chemical injections can lessen snoring because the soft tissue can’t move around as freely thus reducing snoring.
Use of a CPAP or Continuous Positive Airways Pressure machine is worn by some to reduce snoring and improve your breathing. However this can be an uncomfortable oxygen mask that is worn at night and some have difficulty wearing it.
Wristbands are sometimes worn that cause a vibration when the person starts snoring thereby awakening them and encouraging them to turn over and is sometimes helpful.
There are a variety of surgeries that can be performed that include removal of the excess tissue in the throat. There are laser or radio frequency options and there are also surgeries for removal of the tonsils or adenoids. Others are surgeries to the nasal passages for a deviated septum or repair to the tissues. These are obviously more painful and expensive.
New on the market it the FDA approved VitalSleep Anti Snoring Mouthguard. This stop snoring mouthpiece repositions the jaw and acts as a mandiular advacement device to help increase the opening of the airway and as a result stop snoring. It is a very inexpensive and effective snoring remedy.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sleep Disorder Centers & Facilities
Sleep Disorder Centers are facilities that specialize in helping detect and treat sleep disorders. A sleep disorder may be defined as a condition that prevents a person from having a normal restful sleep. Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Narcolepsy, Sleep-walking, Restless leg syndrome are a few of such conditions.
A sleep disorder center may be organized in any of the following ways;
a) It could be based at a hospital.
b) It could be a part of a University.
c) It also could be a private organization.
There are two types of sleep disorder center. While a Sleep Disorder Center, provides testing and treatment for all sleep related conditions, the other sleep disorder centers are laboratories that focus their energies on sleep related breathing disorders.
The medical director of the sleep disorder center should have proven experience in treating sleep disorders with a good track record. This director would be in charge at the sleep disorder center.
A sleep specialist certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine must be available at the sleep disorder center.
The testing rooms at the the sleep disorder center should provide complete privacy, comfort and security. They should be equipped with all the necessary equipment in good working condition.
Billing and Fees
All billing and fees of the sleep disorder center should comply with the state and federal laws. The cost of the charges, fees and other billing details should be made available to you to help you make a decision.
Insurance
You should check to see that the treatment at the sleep disorder center is covered under your insurance program. Many of the insurance services would prefer to see if the sleep disorder center is accredited by them before they cover the costs of the treatment.
A few factors to consider to identify the best sleep disorder center that suits your requirements
1. Location
Identify a sleep disorder center that has a minimum impact on your daily life style in terms of travel and time.
2.Quality
Quality of the services provided by the sleep disorder center is extremely important.
3. Recommendations
Ask around to check if there are any persons who would vouch for the sleep disorder center that is on your list. Recommendations can tell you whether you can get along with sleep disorder center on a personal level. Your friends, family, and other associates who may have had experiences with the sleep disorder center will be able to help you with making a decision.
A sleep disorder center may be organized in any of the following ways;
a) It could be based at a hospital.
b) It could be a part of a University.
c) It also could be a private organization.
There are two types of sleep disorder center. While a Sleep Disorder Center, provides testing and treatment for all sleep related conditions, the other sleep disorder centers are laboratories that focus their energies on sleep related breathing disorders.
The medical director of the sleep disorder center should have proven experience in treating sleep disorders with a good track record. This director would be in charge at the sleep disorder center.
A sleep specialist certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine must be available at the sleep disorder center.
The testing rooms at the the sleep disorder center should provide complete privacy, comfort and security. They should be equipped with all the necessary equipment in good working condition.
Billing and Fees
All billing and fees of the sleep disorder center should comply with the state and federal laws. The cost of the charges, fees and other billing details should be made available to you to help you make a decision.
Insurance
You should check to see that the treatment at the sleep disorder center is covered under your insurance program. Many of the insurance services would prefer to see if the sleep disorder center is accredited by them before they cover the costs of the treatment.
A few factors to consider to identify the best sleep disorder center that suits your requirements
1. Location
Identify a sleep disorder center that has a minimum impact on your daily life style in terms of travel and time.
2.Quality
Quality of the services provided by the sleep disorder center is extremely important.
3. Recommendations
Ask around to check if there are any persons who would vouch for the sleep disorder center that is on your list. Recommendations can tell you whether you can get along with sleep disorder center on a personal level. Your friends, family, and other associates who may have had experiences with the sleep disorder center will be able to help you with making a decision.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
How a Sinus Affection Can Affect Snoring?
Often when we get a sinus infection it can increase the chances of snoring or make it worse if you are already a snorer. Because a sinus infection can be painful and interrupt your sleep it is important to get medical treatment from a physician to ensure that you get rid of the sinus infection quickly before it worsens.
Many times you can alleviate the effects of the sinus affection by simply doing what the doctor says – take your medications prescribed by the physician or use decongestants to combat the effects. Before bedtime, take a warm bath or shower so that the moisture of the hot water will help to drain the sinuses and get rid of the mucus buildup.
The use of nasal rinses that will flush out mucus, pollutants, and allergens and will help to clear the passages. Another recommendation is to use a nasal dilator strip that will open up the nostrils and ease the snoring. The strip is placed over the bridge of the nose and comes in a menthol formulation which will also aid in clearing the sinuses.
Sleep with your head raised at least 4 inches so that the drainage from your sinuses will not send mucus down your throat to block the air passages thereby contributing to snoring and restless sleep and discomfort. Sleeping on your side will help to align the muscles of your throat and neck which will ease the snoring as well.
The clearing or alleviation of clogging of your nasal passages will allow you to continue to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth which also contributes to snoring. When your nose is full of mucus it narrows the airways with resultant snoring. The more you can do to reduce the sinus infection and its symptoms the less chance you will have of snoring and having restless sleep.
Many times you can alleviate the effects of the sinus affection by simply doing what the doctor says – take your medications prescribed by the physician or use decongestants to combat the effects. Before bedtime, take a warm bath or shower so that the moisture of the hot water will help to drain the sinuses and get rid of the mucus buildup.
The use of nasal rinses that will flush out mucus, pollutants, and allergens and will help to clear the passages. Another recommendation is to use a nasal dilator strip that will open up the nostrils and ease the snoring. The strip is placed over the bridge of the nose and comes in a menthol formulation which will also aid in clearing the sinuses.
Sleep with your head raised at least 4 inches so that the drainage from your sinuses will not send mucus down your throat to block the air passages thereby contributing to snoring and restless sleep and discomfort. Sleeping on your side will help to align the muscles of your throat and neck which will ease the snoring as well.
The clearing or alleviation of clogging of your nasal passages will allow you to continue to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth which also contributes to snoring. When your nose is full of mucus it narrows the airways with resultant snoring. The more you can do to reduce the sinus infection and its symptoms the less chance you will have of snoring and having restless sleep.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Can Sleep Apnea Cause Bed Wetting in Children?
If your child is suffering from sleep apnea, it is not uncommon to have the child start having bedwetting episodes as a result of this sleep disorder. The degree of sleep apnea varies with the individual but most of them have a significant snoring problem.
Generally they stop breathing for more than ten seconds that is followed by a partial wakefulness or gasp and then begin snoring again. Many times the snoring is caused by breathing through the mouth due to a blockage in the air passages. Research has shown that more than half of those children who had more than one breathing pause per hour were likely to experience bedwetting.
Although it is not entirely clear why the chronic bedwetting occurs it is suggested that because they are not getting a restful night’s sleep their ability to arouse themselves when their bladders are full lessens because they are so tired. Another reason could be that the snoring puts increased pressure on the bladder and could even increase urine production.
Many times the child has enlarged adenoids or tonsils and surgery to remove them will alleviate the snoring or sleep apnea problem and at the same time lessen the occurrences of bedwetting.
Bedwetting is very common in preschool age children even without the sleep apnea problem but as they grow older the occurrences of bedwetting generally become fewer until the problem eventually goes away. However, some children do not outgrow it and these should be seen by a physician to determine the root cause of the bedwetting.
As a child gets older the bedwetting becomes more and more embarrassing so it is imperative that the child get help as the longer it goes on, the worse it can get making it more and more difficult to remedy the situation.
Generally they stop breathing for more than ten seconds that is followed by a partial wakefulness or gasp and then begin snoring again. Many times the snoring is caused by breathing through the mouth due to a blockage in the air passages. Research has shown that more than half of those children who had more than one breathing pause per hour were likely to experience bedwetting.
Although it is not entirely clear why the chronic bedwetting occurs it is suggested that because they are not getting a restful night’s sleep their ability to arouse themselves when their bladders are full lessens because they are so tired. Another reason could be that the snoring puts increased pressure on the bladder and could even increase urine production.
Many times the child has enlarged adenoids or tonsils and surgery to remove them will alleviate the snoring or sleep apnea problem and at the same time lessen the occurrences of bedwetting.
Bedwetting is very common in preschool age children even without the sleep apnea problem but as they grow older the occurrences of bedwetting generally become fewer until the problem eventually goes away. However, some children do not outgrow it and these should be seen by a physician to determine the root cause of the bedwetting.
As a child gets older the bedwetting becomes more and more embarrassing so it is imperative that the child get help as the longer it goes on, the worse it can get making it more and more difficult to remedy the situation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)