Are you having trouble sleeping? Do you wake up feeling un-rested? You might want to think about getting tested for sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is when you get so relaxed during sleep that the throat passage closes and you stop breathing until you wake yourself up. The word "Apnea" is derived from the Greek language meaning "without breath". People with this disease use a CPAP machine.
A CPAP machine is a small device that helps you breathe. It sits by your bedside and quietly sends air pressure through a tube into a mask attached to your face. The pressure will force air into your air passages and allow you to breathe evenly throughout the night without waking up.
CPAP machines, standing for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, were actually first invented while experimenting with household vacuums blowing air into patients' airways at different levels of pressure. Dr. Colin Sullivan invented them in 1981 at the University of Sydney in Australia. It helps with fatigue, blood sugar problems, blood pressure and other conditions. It also helps with snoring. If you have been known to rattle some doors then this machine may be able to help you by pressing back the soft tissue in your air passages.
If sleep apnea is not treated it can lead to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure or diabetes. If you notice yourself having symptoms such as difficulty focusing during the day, constant fatigue or if you experience irritability then you may want to get tested.
To be considered apneic, you have to stop breathing for at least 10 seconds per attack and have a blood oxygen desaturation level of three to four percent. If you stop breathing five or more times per hour then you can be diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. It is important that it is treated to prevent danger.
Of course machines like CPAP machines may not cure this disease for everyone. It can only help improve sleep to help reduce or prevent the risk of severe health problems. It may be uncomfortable, and take some getting used to but it is a good investment.
Some complaints from using this machine are discomfort, chafing, and claustrophobia. If you are uncomfortable because of the air pressure you will be able to adjust the level of pressure until you can work up to where you need to be for it to be fully effective. It does take some getting used to for many people. Chafing can be taken care of with nasal and facial cushions that attach to the mask. It might soften the sides of the mask so they don't dig in to your skin. Also, there are different styles, sizes and shapes of masks for you to try. Claustrophobia may take a little more effort. Try holding the mask up to your face without the strap at first until you can get used to it. Just nasal masks or masks just for your mouth may help you with feeling a little freer as well.
CPAP machines can save lives. It is just up to you whether you are willing to take the first step.
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