Maximum Sleep

Sleep apnea is just one of several common sleep disorders and the most widespread form of sleep apnea is known as obstructive sleep apnea and is a condition marked by periods in which breathing ceases while sleeping. On occasions this disorder is called obstructive sleep apnea syndrome or sleep apnea syndrome.

In healthy people the muscles which work the upper part of the throat ensure that the air flow in and out of the lungs is steady and continuous. During sleep these muscles relax a little but still do their job properly. However those people who have sleep apnea often have airways which are narrowed so that when the throat muscles relax the airway partially or completely closes thereby no longer allowing for the passage of air to the lungs. Snoring and labored breathing resulting in a sleep apnea episode will then result.

In some individuals breathing can also cease completely during periods of deep (or REM) sleep and medical experts and researchers are nor clear about just why this happens. These periods during which breathing ceases can last for ten seconds or more in severe cases and are referred to as apneic events or sleep apnea episodes.

These apneic events result in a degree of awareness that you have ceases breathing and you subsequently struggle to breath again which is normally accompanied by choking, gasping or even snorting.

Thereafter it is normal to settle into a period of light sleep before the cycle of sleep apnea episodes starts again.

The effect is that an individual suffers from fragmented sleep which does not allow them the amount of rest that they require on a nightly basis. This in turn leads to a number of health problems including excessive daytime tiredness. One of the reasons for this daytime symptom is simply that the level of oxygen in the blood stream falls tremendously during an apneic event leading to a condition known as hypoxia.

It is most important to realize that a lot of individuals with sleep apnea are unaware that they have a problem and often it must be left to others to point out the problem. Sufferers are generally aware of being very tired throughout the day but do not always know why this is so.

The commonest warning signs of sleep apnea include loud snoring, waking in the morning and still feeling tired, headaches in the morning, problems with memory, alterations in personality, falling asleep at inopportune times, hypertension, excessive levels of activity (in children only) and swelling of the legs in severe cases. The symptoms ought not to be disregarded because the danger of sleep apnea is very real.

The first step in diagnosing sleep apnea ought to a visit to the doctor who will read through your medical history and examine your mouth, throat and neck for signs of any growths or abnormalities. If your doctor suspects that you have sleep apnea he will refer you for a sleep study and what is called a polysomnogram (or PSG). This test records eye movement, brain waves, breathing rate, muscle activity, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate and the quantity of air that is being both exhaled and inhaled during sleep.

Sleep apnea is an all too common sleep disorder which frequently goes unrecognized but which can be very dangerous and which can also normally be effectively treated.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

You may be one of the many people who have heard of sleep apnea and are wondering what exactly the signs are. Sleep apnea is becoming more and more common these days and it’s not a minor inconvenience that should be ignored. Sleep apnea, if ignored, can cause toxins in the blood to build up […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Sleep apnea occurs when you regularly stop breathing for ten seconds or longer during sleep, and is caused by a blockage or narrowing of the airways in your nose, mouth or throat. This stoppage can unknowingly occur hundreds of times a night. Sleep apnea is a very serious sleep disorder that requires immediate treatment. Because […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Sleep apnea is possibly the most commonly seen sleep disorder and affects in the region of 18,000,000 Americans. A sleeping disorder which is characterized by interrupted breathing while sleeping, it is also without doubt the most dangerous of all sleeping disorders because it starves the brain of critical oxygen and occasionally proves fatal.
There are […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

An ancient myth told of the plight of Undine, a nymph condemned to a life of sleeplessness out of fear she would stop breathing while asleep and die. Modern science calls it sleep apnea.
The ailment — an interruption of breathing during sleep — also is known as ”Undine’s Curse,” and it afflicts a large […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

If you feel tired during the day even after a regular night’s sleep and snore very loudly during sleep cycles, then you could be suffering from sleep apnia. Another sign that you could have some form of sleep disorder is when you have been observed to stop breathing several times for certain periods of time […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Despite the fact that we have known for a long time that children who suffer from sleep apnea commonly get relatively low scores on IQ tests (normally scoring an average of 85 as opposed to a score of 101 for children who are not suffering from sleep apnea) one thing which has not been known […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

Sleep apnea symptoms are most commonly observed in men who are over forty and also overweight although they can appear at any age in both women and men and are being seen increasingly in children.
The clearest symptom of sleep apnea (which is only one of several common sleep disorders) is snoring which is difficult […]

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

A contemporary study indicates clearly that a person would die much faster due to lack of sleep, rather than any other deprivation (food, water, basic sanitation, etc). So, it is very important that you don’t take any sleep problem lightly.

Original post by Tamara Roberts and software by Elliott Back

Child Sleep Apnea Can Cause Substantially Lower IQ Scores

Despite the fact that we have known for a long time now that children who have sleep apnea generally display relatively low scores on IQ tests (typically scoring an average of 85 against a score of 101 for children who are not suffering from sleep apnea) one thing that we have have not known until recently is that this arises out of chemical changes within the brain. In other words an otherwise clever kid could well produce an average performance as a result of nothing more than a sleeping problem which, in almost all cases, can be treated fairly easily.

In a recent study undertaken in Baltimore, 31 kids aged between 6 and 16 (19 of whom had been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea) were examined with a special form or MRI and it was found that the children suffering from sleep apnea had important changes in both the hippocampus and right frontal cortex which are parts of the brain which are linked to learning and higher mental function.

The same study also showed that these children were suffering from levels of three brain chemicals which indicated brain damage. This change to the chemistry of the brain brought about by leep apnea may or may not be permanent and, at this point, additional studies are required to see whether this effect can be reversed.

Even if reversal is possible however and the chemistry of the brain and cognitive function can be returned to normal, kids with sleep apnea are going to suffer a loss in learning as long as they are suffering from untreated sleep apnea and they certainly cannot rewind time and regain this learning period.

Parents should of course already be looking out for the signs of sleep apnea in their kids and this study clearly shows that early diagnosis and treatment of this sleep disorder may have a very considerable affect on a child’s success in life.

There are many signs of sleep apnea including frequent pauses in breathing during sleep which frequently result in an arousal from sleep and tossing and turning in bed. Children can also display loud or labored breathing, snoring, gasping, coughing and, sometimes, bedwetting at an age when should normally have passed.

Parents can also observe a child sleeping in a strange position, possible with their bottom sticking up in the air and with their head tilted backwards in an unconscious effort to keep their airway clear.

In most cases child sleep apnea can be treated by removing the tonsils and adenoids, or excess tissue from the back of the throat or nose. In addition, a CPAP machine may also be employed to give the child an airflow delivered using a mask that is worn during sleep to keep the airway open.

In itself sleep apnea is incapacitating for any child and the effect of nights of inadequate sleep are going to take their toll on your child. But, when this is combined with an impairment of your child’s IQ, it is essential that you act at the earliest possible opportunity to have the condition diagnosed and treated.

Original post by Donald Saunders and software by Elliott Back

Anyone that suspects they have the condition should familiarize themselves with the symptoms of sleep apnea. This condition is not something that is just annoying but is dangerous and can also be downright deadly. Some have unfortunately died from the cessation of breathing during the night, so of course realizing if you have this condition and getting it treated properly is vitally important. So let’s look at some common symptoms of sleep apnea and remember, you might not be able to recognize these symptoms in yourself but may need to ask your bedmate or another family member if they notice them when you sleep.

Your breathing and the sounds you make during sleep are common symptoms of sleep apnea. When your body stops breathing temporarily during the night of course it works very hard to get itself breathing again and this might mean sounds like choking, gasping, snorting, or wheezing. Many people think that these sounds are just common or harmless <a href=”http://www.snorelesssleepmore.com”>snoring</a> but these noises, especially when loud or severe, are common symptoms of sleep apnea. The body gasps when it starts breathing after being denied oxygen or someone wheezes when that oxygen gets cut off. These are not good sounds for anyone and should be taken very seriously.

Sleep apnea interferes with a person’s sleep whether they’re aware of it or not. The way you feel during the day can also be common symptoms of sleep apnea. You might think you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep but if you’re fatigued when you wake up, have headaches throughout the day, get daytime sleepiness, or just generally don’t feel rested all of these can be symptoms of sleep apnea. It’s important that a person get several hours of uninterrupted sleep in order to be really refreshed and recharged but sleep apnea of course interferes with consistent rest. Again, a person isn’t typically aware of the fact that he or she has sleep apnea and is waking up during the night so these daytime symptoms should be considered.

Any and all of these symptoms of sleep apnea should be taken seriously. A doctor can refer you to a sleep clinic, but most cases of sleep apnea are caused by excess body weight. If you’re several pounds overweight you might want to consider doing what you can to lose this weight and see if perhaps these symptoms of sleep apnea don’t clear up.

Original post by Faith and software by Elliott Back

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you need to be aware of the risks of anesthesia. While there are many real and potentially serious concerns, the negative effects of anesthesia can be minimized or even eliminated with the proper procedures and careful monitoring.

What Should I Do?

If you need surgery, it’s important to make sure that the anesthesiologist is aware of your condition. Certain precautionary measures would have to be taken to insure that breathing difficulties will not jeopardize your time under anesthesia. In obstructive sleep apnea, the throat muscles relax, thereby closing or narrowing the airway. This, in turn, interrupts the normal flow of oxygen to the lungs, which affects the brain.

The brain will sense the reduced lack of oxygen and will signal you to wake up. When you are under anesthesia, this is not possible. Being under anesthesia also contributes to more interrupted breathing spells. When an anesthesiologist has a patient with sleep apnea, he will take special care to keep airways open. Close monitoring is kept on the patient in surgery and in the recovery room.

Side effects from anesthesia can linger for hours after surgery so constant care is given to the patient during this time. A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine may be used to ensure the airways remain open for an even, continuous flow of oxygen. Generally as the body adjusts to the medications given for surgery, the immediate dangers will pass. In some severe cases, mechanical ventilation may need to be given.

Should I Cancel My Surgery?

Theres no reason to cancel a surgery because of potential problems as long as youve made your medical personnel aware of your sleep apnea disorder. This will allow them to plan for the monitoring needed during surgery and immediately afterward.

It should be noted that many times people are not aware that they have sleep apnea, which can cause complications in surgery. If you are not sure you have this condition, or if you suspect that you do, a few simple questions may lead you to an answer. Do you snore? Do you feel tired and groggy in the mornings? Do you fall asleep during the day? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, perhaps you should speak to your doctor about the possibility of sleep apnea. Diagnosing sleep apnea before having anesthesia is a crucial first step to your total recovery.

Original post by Robert Billings and software by Elliott Back

There are sleep disorders among teenagers that affects between seven to ten percent of teenagers called Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder, also known as DNS. Most teenagers outgrow this disorder by the time they reach young adulthood. Less then one percent of adults are believed to have DSP. Often people mistake sleep disorder for insomnia.

Left on their own, people with delayed sleep phase disorder would stay up until very late, sometimes until 4 or 5 a.m. They like to get up very late in the morning or early afternoon. Often they are referred to as night owls.

Many teenagers like to stay up late and sleep late in the morning. Sometimes this is because they want to socialize at that time of the day. However, it can also be due to the natural delay in the circadian sleep / wake rhythm at their age of development.

Sleep disorders among teenagers most of the time make the teenagers real tired on the day and they may even fall asleep in the classroom. The definite cause of this sleep disorder is not known but It is known for certain that it is a circadian rhythm problem. The sleep disorders symptoms that you may notice are when teenagers frequently have a really hard time getting up in the morning for school. Though, they go to sleep at a regular time, such as 11 p.m., they still toss and turn for hours like an individual with insomnia. The difference is, unlike an insomniac, people with delayed sleep phase disorder have no difficulty staying asleep but they do have a very difficult time getting up early in the morning.

Sleep disorder treatments are available for people that need to get onto a more traditional sleep / wake schedule. The types of treatment include, bright light, chronotherapy, melatonin and over- the-counter prescribed sleeping pills.

The bright light treatment for delayed sleep phase disorder is one form of sleep disorder treatments which uses bright light to trick the brain’s circadian clock . Exposed to bright light shifts the circadian rhythm, if it is distributed within a couple of hours of the body’s lowest temperature at night.

Sleep disorders among teenagers can be rather severe where in some cases, teenagers enduring delayed sleep phase disorder would need a week away from school called for to accomplished this therapy, chronotherapy which has been used as sleep disorder treatments for someone with delayed sleep phase disorder. It takes one week long of a block of time . In turn, daily bedtime is delayed by three hours. For instance, for someone that falls asleep at 2 a.m. but prefer to fall asleep at 11. p.m., their bedtime would move to 5 a.m. in the beginning. The succeeding day it would move to 8 a.m. and keep on with this cycle for a week. When the craved bed time is attained it is very crucial to maintain a uniform wake up time.

There are several sleep disorder treatments requiring respective drugs that are utilized to treat delayed sleep phase disorder. . Prescription medicine such as Ramelteon, and other sleeping pills, have been successful in dealing teenagers and adults with delayed sleep phase disorder.In addition, Melatonin has been successful in altering the sleep cycle of people with this sleep disorder.

If your teenager has trouble falling asleep and always wants to stay up late, be aware of the possibility that a sleep disorder may be present. Parents and teachers should be informed of sleep disorders among teenagers so that they are more observant with the sleep disorders symptoms and sleep disorder treatments can be sought.

Original post by Suzy Hughes and software by Elliott Back

Are you suffering from any sleep apnea? Assuming you know what sleep apnea is but don’t know which type you are suffering from. Don’t worry in the following article we are going to look at what central sleep apnea is and what are the available treatments. Central sleep apnea happens to be the least usual one. If you have problems in receiving and transmitting brain signals which result in continuous stopped of breathing while you are sleeping, most probably you have it.

Furthermore, you may also become affected by obstructive sleep apnea which is more common form of sleep apnea than central sleep apnea, it occurs as the name implies, due to blocked or obstructed airways.

Treatment For Central Sleep Apnea

Treating With Ambien

Handling obstructive sleep apnea may be easier than central sleep apnea because there are many different types of treatment methods for it, but it is not the same case for central sleep apnea. However, good news is central sleep apnea sufferers may have the choice to use Ambien, a sleep drug as the treatment because there are new advancements in its uses. Therefore you may benefit from it.

Furthermore there is no doubting the fact that, according to facts gathered as a result of studies made on patients using Ambien, its effectiveness has been proven to be quite promising. In addition the drug has helped in reducing sleep apnea problems from an average of thirty to thirteen per patient, this should be taken into account when considering its effectiveness for treating central sleep apnea.

On the contrary, proper study should be carried out on the long term effects of Ambien as a drug which is used in the treatment of central sleep apnea. Be apprised that Ambien is still needed to be fully tested for its use. Therefore before you take the decision on using it for your problem, you should only use it if it has been specifically recommended by your doctor as the form of treatment.

There will be an advantage to know the difference between them and even better if you are aware whether or not you have a central sleep apnea which is recognized as mixed sleep apnea that is basically a combination of both types of sleep apnea types.

It is quite difficult to to really notice the difference or symptoms for both of the sleep apnea types because they can sometimes be so similar. Furthermore, the causes for each kind are more than likely going to be varied in each case. As mentioned earlier, it is the least common type of sleep apnea and it is quite dissimilar with the more common obstructive sleep apnea, and if you have the former, you will definitely going through difficulties in brain timing, meaning it has problem firing the way that it should be. As a result there is insufficient oxygen supply while you are sleeping.

Just like with other cases of sleep apnea, it is also no different if you are suffering from it to wake up constantly during the night when you gasp or choke for breath, and such incidents can occur as many as hundred times in a night and you are robbed from the valuable sleep and rest needed.

You need to consult your doctor and get a prescribed treatment program as early as possible so that you will get better treatments, whether you are suspecting of having central sleep apnea or obstructive sleep apnea.

Therefore even with central sleep apnea, you still can get treated, provided you seek advice from your doctor, and not being the doctor yourself.

Original post by fatimah edris and software by Elliott Back

A sure sign that you could be affected by sleep apnea is that when sleeping you suddenly finds yourself waking up and the reason is that you were not able to breathe for a short spell of time. The primary sleep apnea cause occurs when you are unable to get air into your lungs while asleep and this may be because of your throat staying open making you unable to breathe, or because of a temporary collapsing of your throat which makes you wake up at night because of having become breathless.

Sleeping on Your Back

Most times sleep apnea happens while sleeping on your back although it can happen in any position. Sleep apnea is usually caused when the tongue or throat muscles relax beyond the usual range and by sleeping on your back, the fact that the muscles have relaxed so much lets the tongue slip up towards the back on your mouth and you are unable to breathe.

Thus, if it is found that sleeping on your back is the main sleep apnea cause, you need to simply change your sleeping position and thus again regain your ability to sleep soundly. Another possible sleep apnea cause is when your adenoids or tonsils become too large and to treat such a sleep apnea cause you may require undergoing surgery, though of course the decision is best left to your doctor.

If you are overweight and have too much body fat you may also be at risk for sleep apnea. Fat deposits can accumulate at the back of the throat and cause it to collapse or a blockage while you are sleeping.

However, by using a mouth piece it will help in case of mild sleep apnea since it will ensure that your tongue stays down and it will also keep your tongue in a position that will enable you to breathe continuously and thus ensure adequate and restful sleep at night.

Even the size of your skull or neck can be a cause of sleep apnea. The shape may force muscles to close over the throat when you lie down and ruin what would otherwise be a good sleep.

The best way to treat this and other sleep apnea causes is by using the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatment which is most suitable should you suffer from an extreme case of sleep apnea.

Original post by Rudy Watkins and software by Elliott Back

Not getting enough sleep can be a problem and there are several solutions including sleeping pills. People who suffer from sleep apnea should be advised against taking sleeping pills if they have a problem sleeping. Sleep apnea is caused by constriction of the air passage or from delays in the brain letting the body know to breathe, resulting in you waking up for short periods of time during the night. If you have sleep apnea, taking sleeping pills may actually make it worse.

Look for Some Short Term Relaxation Solutions

However, what makes many people consider sleep apnea and sleeping pills is the relaxation that the sleeping pills provide, at least in the near term and it also improves your mood and makes you feel well generally. Thus, as far as sleep apnea and sleeping pills, they can certainly be used temporarily and in fact, may even prove to be effective in the short term though once they have helped you to get adequate sleep for a few days, you should stop taking them.

Sleeping pills can become habit forming. You can start to depend on them to get the sleep you need. It is not recommended as a long term solution when you have sleep apnea.

You should realize that as far as sleep apnea and sleeping pills go it is not the recommended way to cope with sleep apnea and there are far better ways to deal with the problem of sleep apnea including losing weight, eliminating using alcohol, and tobacco as well as taking sedatives such as sleeping pills, sleeping on your side and lastly, regularizing your sleeping hours.

Even without the added concern of sleep apnea the long term effects of taking sleeping pills is not beneficial. For insomniacs, taking sleeping pills constantly could be as deadly as cigarette smoking.

Over time the usage of sleeping pills can result in higher mortality rates. If you suffer from sleep apnea, they do little to improve your condition and can actually reduce your brain activity while you’re awake. They may even affect your short term memory and even give you a hangover.

So, if you are considering sleep apnea and sleeping pills, makes sure that you do not choose this alternative and try using some other self-help methods which are sure to do you better than what sleeping pills can do.

Original post by Rudy Watkins and software by Elliott Back

Sleep Apnea is a medical condition characterized by interrupted breathing patterns during sleep. Someone with this condition normally snores loudly, may stop breathing for 10-20 seconds during sleep, then resumes breathing with a gasp, choke, or loud snort.

This may happen anywhere from five to 30 times an hour, and the decreased amount of oxygen in the blood can be life threatening.

The condition is existing in one in about every 25 adults, but 90% of all sleep apnea cases are not reported.

This is because the sufferer often does not wake up during these episodes of non-breathing, so they often aren’t aware of the medical condition.

Often, it is the sufferer’s bed partner or roommate who initially notices the signs.

It’s common knowledge that obesity is a cause of sleep apnea (the additional fat around the neck pushes against the airways). What isn’t as well-known is the fact that sleep apnea also causes obesity in return - the decreased amounts of oxygen in the blood triggers a “panic mode” in the body, causing it to store more fat to compensate for decreased energy reserves.

The vicious cycle will continue unless it is treated.

You may be suffering from sleep apnea if you have these symptoms - overweight, sore/dry throats and headaches in the morning, and feeling of tiredness during the day.

Most doctors will advise you to lose weight, claiming that even a 10% reduction in weight will curb sleep apnea and help you sleep better. It’s helpful advice, but 10% of your body weight doesn’t sound so easy to shed once you do the math.

That is why I came up with my Snoring Program.

My Snoring Program doesn’t entail any rigorous exercise and weight loss, but has been used by hundreds of my satisfied clients to cure their sleep apnea and get much-needed rest during the night.

By following the easy steps incorporated in my Snoring Program, the body will not go into “panic mode” during sleep. This in turn will increase the energy that you will get from sleep, thus making it easier for you to maintain a healthy body weight. Two birds with one stone.

But wouldn’t it be even better to hit three birds with one stone?

My new Weight Loss Program will also help sleep apnea sufferers deal with its causes - as well as a list of other problems caused by the extra weight.

The exercises in my new Weight Loss Program aren’t even workout exercises - in fact, you’ve probably never heard of exercises like these before.

Check out my Snoring Program and Weight Loss Program for a better sleep and a better life.

Original post by Christian Goodman and software by Elliott Back

Are you suffering from sleep apnea? Do you know that sleep apnea dental appliance can mitigate or eliminate the effects of sleep apnea? In this article we are going to see a brief overview of some regularly used appliances.

How Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance Help Sleep Apnea Symptoms

What happened in sleep apnea is that the muscles in the throat may relax too much, and this may narrow the airway significantly. Not only that the tongue may also collapse, or fold back, when this happened the air passage closes off and disturbs the normal flow of breathing. This is not a minor case anymore because this is the one that may affect bigger organs like the brain and heart. Many sleep apnea patients have turned to oral appliances which have been proven to provide positive results. What it does is controlling the movement of the tongue or by repositioning the lower jaw to make sure that the airways to stay open. Sometimes, what the actually need is only a sleep apnea dental appliance to help their sleep apnea symptoms. In addition it can also be used together with a Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) machine. Before you determine which sleep apnea dental appliance is right for you, you have to get both your medical doctor and your dentist to evaluate your condition. For choosing the dentist however, it’s important that you get a dentist that has experience in fitting these oral appliances before. This is because not every dentist knows how to do that and a poorly fitted appliance may cause unnecessary problems.

Different Types Of Oral Appliances

With over forty different types of sleep apnea dental appliance available to help sleep apnea symptoms, you may feel overwhelmed at first. But your dentist will tell you that the principles used in these devices fall into two general categories, which should make your selection much easier. Basically, oral appliances are classified by how they work or by their specific design.

The names of these appliances are descriptive enough to give you the basic idea of how they work.Among all the two most widely used Sleep Apnea Dental Appliance are tongue retaining appliances and mandibular repositioning appliances. A retainer holds the tongue in a forward position if you are using a tongue retaining appliance, it stops the back of the tongue from collapsing during sleep. The second type of device puts the lower jaw in a protruded position to keep the airway open. Both of these oral appliances have been proven to be successful in curing sleep apnea patients.

Choose the Right Dentist

This step in getting a sleep apnea dental appliance cannot be stressed enough. The dentist you select must have specific knowledge in this area. Your nasal passages and airways will be completely examined with a diagnostic tool that uses sound waves. This will give the dentist a complete picture and will enable the sleep apnea dental appliance to be correctly fitted.

Original post by fatimah edris and software by Elliott Back