Monthly Archives: February 2015

Symptoms of Juvenile Sleep Apnea

Children can have sleep apnea too; learn more about juvenile sleep apnea below.

If someone mentions sleep apnea, what is the first image that comes to mind? A heavy set, older gentleman with a thick neck? Statistically, this segment of people are the most likely to be affected by sleep apnea, however they are not the only ones living with sleep apnea. Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans including men, women, and children.

While sleep apnea is most prevalent among adults, CPAPCentral.com wants to raise awareness of sleep apnea in children. It is estimated that between 1 and 4 percent of children face the effects of juvenile sleep apnea. That may not sound like a large number. However, approximately 18 million Americans have been diagnosed with the sleep apnea, which means between 180,000 and 720,000 children are affected by juvenile sleep apnea.

Untreated Juvenile Sleep Apnea can Spark Other Issues

Juvenile sleep apnea, if left untreated, can lead to other issues like slowed growth and development, sleep walking, bed wetting, difficulty with attention, and trouble learning from lack of sleep. CPAPCentral.com encourages you to monitor your child’s sleeping patterns just as you would their daily activities, especially if their snoring is accompanied with gasping. Other symptoms of juvenile sleep apnea include sleeping in unusual positions, day-time sleepiness, and labored breathing while sleeping. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should talk with your family doctor.

Treatment Options for Juvenile Sleep Apnea

The most common type of sleep apnea in both children and adults is obstructive sleep apnea. For children, treatment options often require a surgical procedure to remove the child’s tonsils and adenoids, another form of tonsils which typically eliminates most of the sleep apnea issues. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, this surgery procedure can eliminate the problem between 70 and 90 percent of the time in uncomplicated cases.

If you feel your child has juvenile sleep apnea, talk with your doctor. If surgery is not necessary for your child or your doctor wishes to use sleep apnea treatment with CPAP therapy, contact the CPAP experts at CPAPCentral.com to see how we can help!

Treat Sleep Apnea for a Healthy Heart

Keep your heart healthy by treating sleep apnea.

Heart disease risks spike in people with untreated sleep apnea, discover the relationship below.

A good night’s sleep is imperative for a healthy body and positive outlook. How much of an impact does untreated sleep apnea have on heart disease? More than you may have expected! CPAPCentral.com investigates the true story behind the connection between sleep apnea and heart disease.

The Link between Sleep Apnea & Heart Disease

People with untreated sleep apnea tend to have an increased risk for heart disease. The estimates are shocking, with risk increasing up to 80 percent in individuals whose blood oxygen saturation was at or below 78 percent, according to a study funded by U.S. National Institutes of Health.

How are Oxygen Saturation and Sleep Apnea Linked?

To accurately explain this question, we first need to explain oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation is the measurement of how much oxygen your blood is carrying at any given time. The average person has an oxygen saturation level in the range of 95 to 100 percent.

Sleep apnea has a tendency to starve you of oxygen. In most cases, obstructive sleep apnea restricts breathing during sleep when the muscles of the throat relax. The restriction causes your body to react like it is drowning. What you may not realize is during the time you cannot breathe, your body is using the oxygen in your blood faster than it can be replenished. The longer you go without breathing and replenishing the oxygen, the lower your oxygen saturation, and the higher your risk for heart disease and other health concerns.

Get Pumped to Maintain a Healthy Heart

CPAPCentral.com challenges you to get better sleep and tell your friends about sleep apnea! Try some simple activities to increase your quality of sleep such as increasing how often you exercise, reducing caffeine before bed, and monitoring your sleep. You may need assistance with monitoring your sleep, but if you know that you snore or wake up gasping, you should consult your doctor.

CPAPCentral.com encourages you to be proactive with your health because after all, you are the one who gets to enjoy it! If you have any questions about sleep apnea therapy, CPAP machines or CPAP masks, contact the CPAP experts at CPAPCentral.com.

When Should I Tell My Date about My Sleep Apnea

Tips for telling your date about sleep apnea therapy

Tips for mentioning sleep apnea therapy to a date.

When thinking about romance, most people would not consider their sleep apnea therapy a hot topic. In this respect, some questions still remain and often can go unanswered about dating and sleep apnea just like Unsure CPAP User’s question below:

“I use a CPAP to treat my sleep apnea…when should I tell my date about it? Sincerely, Unsure CPAP User”

Dear Unsure CPAP User,

First off, do not be ashamed of your sleep apnea therapy. Sleep apnea is more common than you may think! Taking measures to stay healthy with better sleep and less snoring is a great demonstration of self-respect.

Should you bring up sleep apnea in your first date? While we don’t think this is a great first date subject, CPAPCentral.com reminds you to be honest on your first date. If your date brings up a CPAP or asks about your medical history, be honest with them. Keep in mind, this typically does not come up on the first date, so you should be fine!

If not on the first date, then when should you bring sleep apnea up? How long you wait to tell your date is purely up to you. If you suspect an overnight date soon in the future, stating to your date that you use sleep apnea therapy may be a good idea. Until then, you don’t have to talk about it if you’re uncomfortable. After all, the best part of dating is discovering new things about your partner!

How should you bring up your sleep apnea therapy? One technique you could use is similar to ripping off a bandage; get it out in the open. Spicing it up a little and adding some humor can help. Overall, be yourself about it and reassure your date that your sleep apnea therapy is not a big deal. You could also explain how the sleep apnea therapy has improved your sleep and made you a better bed partner, for example, less loud snoring as well as explaining how it helps to keep you healthy.

Overall, your date may not be as surprised as you may expect. If you don’t make a big deal about the matter, your date probably won’t either. If you have any questions about attractive CPAP masks or the smallest CPAP machine, contact CPAPCentral.com at 877-628-0445.

Good Luck Unsure CPAP User!

The CPAP Experts at CPAPCentral.com

Top CPAP Mask Leak Causes & Solutions

Try these simple tips to fix CPAP mask leaks from CPAPCentral.com.

CPAP mask air leaks are among the most common complaints by CPAP users. Have you noticed sleep disruptions, loss of air pressure, or strange noises from your CPAP masks? These are a few common signs that can alert you to air leaks. If you are experiencing these signs, CPAPCentral.com can help fix your leak!

CPAPCentral.com has found there are several different causes of CPAP air leaks. Check out these Top CPAP mask leak causes and discover how to solve the problem yourself:

Top CPAP Mask Leak Causes

CPAP machine pressure is too high
Wrong size CPAP Mask
CPAP mask not sitting properly
You are an active sleeper
Wrong CPAP mask for facial structure
Old CPAP mask

Top CPAP Mask Leak Solutions

Adjust your CPAP mask straps, but be sure not to over-tighten them!
Keep your CPAP mask clean. Wash DAILY!
Adjust your CPAP mask while lying down. The position of the mask can change and make gaps that were not there when standing up.
Try a different style CPAP mask. Depending on your sleeping style, a new mask may be necessary to get the best performance without leaks while you sleep. If you breathe through your mouth while sleeping, a full face mask will work better.
Many CPAP machines offer a ramp feature that slowly increases the air pressure. If you are experiencing increased air leaks as your pressure increases, consider checking with your doctor about reducing your air pressure.
com carries a wide variety of CPAP masks and machines. Call our CPAP experts at 877-628-0445 to discuss which CPAP mask may work better for your sleep style and face shape.

We hope these tips help. If you are still having trouble with air leaks, call CPAPCentral.com today at 877-628-0445 to explore different CPAP mask and machine options for your sleep apnea therapy.