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5 Tips for Dealing with Sleep Apnea at Home

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Sleep apnea is a serious sleeping disorder. It has been estimated that at least 18 million people in the United States suffer from it. Many people use CPAP machines or BIPAP machines to help them deal with the problem.

The first thing you need to do is learn what sleep apnea is. People who suffer from sleep apnea, stop breathing for periods of time, called “apneas” throughout the night. These apneas can last for up to one minute and can take place many times during the night. This time that they spend not breathing is time they spend not getting enough oxygen to their brains. This causes a host of health problems including an increased risk for stroke, worsening heart disease and even a great chance of developing diabetes. It is hard to overstate the health problems can can be caused by this problem.

If you are concerned that you have sleep apnea, or have been told you do suffer from it, there are some things you can do to help with the problem:

  1. Get your weight down. One of the best lifestyle things you can do for your health is lose weight. Not only does it do a lot for you in general but being overweight is one of the main contributing factors when it comes to sleep apnea. Sleep experts recommend people lose at least 10% of their body weight and say this can help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms by about 30%. Gaining weight will have the opposite effect and should be avoided, if at all possible.
  2. Stay away from booze. Many people think that if they drink, they will have a better sleep. Not only does alcohol have a detrimental impact on your sleep in general, it can worsen sleep apnea symptoms. If you take medications for certain problems such as insomnia, anxiety or pain, they may also have an adverse impact on your sleep apnea. The good news, for insomniacs, is using sleep apnea machines such as CPAP machines or BIPAP machines may make your sleep so much better than you no longer need the sleep medications.
  3. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the day. There are some real reasons people are tried or drowsy during the day but many people do not know they suffer from sleep apnea. If you notice that you are more drowsy during the work day than usual, you may want to talk to tour doctor about it. Being too sleepy during the day can cause serious accidents when driving. Talk to your doctor about how you feel, do not just grab another cup of coffee and forget your problem.
  4. Try to avoid sleeping on your back. If you snore or you have been told that you suffer from sleep apnea, the worst position for you to sleep in is on your back. This makes gravity work against you and will only worsen your snoring and your sleep apnea problems. if you can switch to sleeping on your side or stomach you will breathe a lot better. Your family will also sleep a lot better when you start be sleep quiter.
  5. Get tested for sleep apnea. The way sleep experts can make this diagnosis is to go into their office or a sleep center and have a sleep study done. You will be monitored while you sleep to see if you spend anytime during the night not breathing. The experts will wire you up and pay attention to your oxygen levels and other factors while you sleep.

Sleep is very important for human health. There are a lot of reasons people neglect themselves and fail to get then seven to nine hours of sleep each night as recommended by the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep apnea may not impact how much time you spend in bed but it will lessen the quality of the sleep you get when you are there. Using the CPAP machine or the BIPAP machines as recommended is one thing you can do to lessen the problems associated with sleep apnea, making these lifestyle changes is another. Make sure you understand how to use your CPAP machine or BIPAP machine before you take it home.

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The 3 Different Types Of Cpap Masks

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If you snore, you’ve probably had to deal with a lot of people complaining about your snoring. This could be your siblings, your roommates, or your spouse. You love this people and think the world of them, but at the same time you wish that they would just stop complaining about something you can’t fix. But then, what if you could change your snoring? What if there were machines and instruments out there to help quiet your snoring down? Well, luckily there are.

That’s right, CPAP masks are here to help you when need to find a way to lesson the noise of your snoring. In addition, there are plenty of options out there for the type of machine or mask that you can use. These varying masks can be chosen by what you need in order to quiet your snoring. Do you need to focus on your nose for instance? In addition, there are different sizes and looks to each machine. These different shapes can help you pick the best machine that’ll feel comfortable to sleep with. If you wish to learn more, read on and see some of the differences between three types of CPAP masks.

  1. Nasal CPAP Masks
    First, we’ll focus on CPAP masks that focus on the nasal passage. These types of masks cover the nose only. The shape that they are usually found in is much like a triangle and the material is of silicon to give the mask a cushioned feel. So, not only is this mask looking to be efficient and functional, but it is also looking to keep you comfortable too. Plus, they come in multiple sizes to make sure that the fit is right for your individual face.

    While there are many good things that come with these types of nasal masks such as being small and fitted for you, there are also things to worry about. If your snoring is caused by your breathing through your nose, clearly this isn’t the mask for you. On top of that, the tight fit around your nose can cause markings. Keep those in mind if you are considering CPAP mask nasal machines.
  2. Nasal Pillows
    Yes, the next CPAP mask on our list is also focused on the nose. That said, nasal pillow masks are also very different. CPAP nasal pillows visually look a lot like breathing machines that you see in hospitals. That’s how you know they are top grade machines. The way they work is that plastic tubes are fit into your nostrils, with no pain of course. While this may sound uncomfortable, they are actually the preferred option for many people with snoring problems. They are effective and also surprisingly comfortable.

    Like with the other types of CPAP masks, there are good things and bad things about this nasal pillows. The provide great comfort due to their easy maneuverability. That said, they are tubes that go directly into your nose. It can take some time to get used to the feeling. Also, you should make sure that you don’t have any aversions or allergies to plastic before deciding to use this product. If you do, clearly this isn’t the one for you.
  3. Full Face CPAP Mask
    The last on our list of the different types of CPAP masks is the full face CPAP mask. As it sounds, this mask covers up most of your face. This means both your nose and your mouth are covered. In order to keep your face sealed up, you would have to seal the mask in place with straps that go on the side.

    As always, there are pros and cons to consider before you buy this mask. Some of the worries you might have to consider are the facts that the large circumference of the mask leads to a higher chance of the air from the mask getting out. In addition, your eyes may be at risk of drying out. Plus, if you wish to sleep on your stomach, you’ll have a hard time doing it.

There are many options out there for you if you want to quiet your snoring and better your sleep. These three different types of CPAP masks are just a few of them. Look through them and make a great change to your life.