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Monthly Archives: October 2015

CPAPs and Halloween

You may not know it, but there are actually several connections between Halloween, CPAPs and sleep apnea.

Halloween is just around the corner, and CPAPCentral.com knows you’re excited. Believe it or not, there is actually more of a connection between Halloween and CPAP than you might think. From enjoying your candy to using your mask as part of your costume, Halloween and sleep apnea therapy go hand in hand. We want everyone to have fun on Halloween, and get a good night’s sleep going into November and beyond. Let’s explore the connection between Halloween, sleep apnea and CPAP use.

Careful with Candy

Candy is as much a part of Halloween as turkey is a part of Thanksgiving. But for people with sleep apnea, and even for those who don’t have the disorder, candy needs to be enjoyed in moderation. Type 2 diabetes is among the risk factors that can lead to sleep apnea, as well as several other health problems. So, don’t overindulge on candy to reduce your risk.

Eating too much candy, especially chocolate, can keep you awake at night. Chocolate contains caffeine, and the darker the chocolate is, the more caffeine it contains. Consuming caffeine, especially in the afternoon and evening can interfere with your sleep. So, while it is fun to eat candy on Halloween night, don’t over indulge if you want to wake up feeling refreshed on November 1^st.

CPAP Costumes

Why not embrace your CPAP mask and use it as part of your costume? If you’re looking for a leg-up on the costume contest competition, your CPAP mask gives you an extra prop that not everyone else will have. Here are some ideas to help you use your CPAP mask as part of a Halloween costume.

Bane: This one has become very popular in recent years since the release of the film “The Dark Knight Rises” in 2012. To play Batman’s nemesis, Bane, all you need is your CPAP mask, a flesh-colored swim cap and a heavy coat.
Scuba Diver: Give yourself the look of someone about to explore the Great Barrier Reef. Your CPAP mask will act as your scuba mask, and then all you need to add are swim goggles and a compression shirt to mimic a wetsuit.
Fighter Pilot: Whether you’re looking to be Maverick or Goose, your CPAP mask can be part of your costume to become the perfect fighter pilot. To complete the outfit, you’ll need a motorcycle helmet and a jumpsuit.

CPAPCentral.com wishes everyone a happy and safe Halloween. If you need a new CPAP mask, or other CPAP supplies, contact us and we’ll help you get restocked.

Dealing with Sleepless Nights

It can be tough to fall asleep some nights. Use these tips to help get the rest you need.

Remember the last time you were so exhausted that all you wanted to do was crawl under the covers and fall asleep as soon as your head hits the pillow? Did you get the good night sleep you needed or did you struggle to relax and fall asleep. Many of us experience sleepless nights from time to time. You find yourself staring at the ceiling and you can’t turn your brain off. You start thinking about work, bills, things you need to get done this weekend and pretty much anything except falling asleep. CPAPCentral.com is here to help you tackle those sleepless nights, and we have some tips that can help you relax, turn your brain off and fall asleep faster so you can get more rest.

Exercise During the Day

We all know that exercise makes you healthier, but did you know those health benefits extend to helping you sleep better at night? Regular exercise helps increase your metabolism, which not only helps you fall asleep faster and leads to a better quality sleep, but can also help you feel less tired during the day.

Turn Off the Electronics

Technology is a wonderful thing, but there are also disadvantages to being too “plugged in.” Watching television, checking emails and clicking through social media on your smartphone may help you stay in touch with what’s going on, but it also keeps your brain active and makes it much more difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, the light emitted from these devices interferes with your circadian rhythms, making it harder for you to fall asleep. A good rule of thumb is to keep electronics out of your bedroom or “unplug” at least a half hour before bedtime.

Get Rid of the Clock

When you’re having trouble falling asleep, your instinct is to look at the clock to see how long you’ve been in bed. This is the wrong thing to do, because as soon as you look at the clock, you’ll start to get frustrated and start doing math about how long you’ve been in bed, how long you’ll have to sleep when you finally do fall asleep. This keeps your mind active, and makes it harder to fall asleep.

If concerns over your sleep apnea are keeping you awake, CPAPCentral.com can help with a new CPAP machine, CPAP mask or accessories that make using your CPAP equipment more comfortable.

Foods to Avoid Before Bed

Eating these foods before bed may make it difficult for you to fall asleep.

There are certain times when you always feel a little hungry, whether it’s in the middle of the afternoon at your desk or as you’re putting on your pajamas before you go to sleep at night. Snacking is fine, but eating before bed requires a little extra thought, because there are some foods that make it more difficult to fall asleep.

CPAPCentral.com is all about helping people sleep better each night, so we’re here to provide you with a list of foods to avoid before bed so you can get a good night’s sleep.

Food to Avoid: Bacon

We know, this is more of a breakfast food that you might not think of as a midnight snack, and for good reason. Bacon, and other cured meats, actually contain amino acids that trigger the production of norepinephrine, which keeps you awake. Besides, who wants to take the time to fry up bacon at night, anyway?

If you do need a meaty snack before bed, you’re better off with a turkey sandwich. Turkey isn’t a cured meat, and contains tryptophan, which can help you fall asleep.

Food to Avoid: Chocolate

There’s a reason it’s so hard to get the kids to sleep on Halloween night and why you should have them ration their candy. Chocolate contains caffeine, a chemical that does a good job if you’re trying to keep yourself awake. While dark chocolate is good for your heart, it can actually contain as much caffeine as energy drinks.

Rather than eating chocolate, consider a trail mix heavy on nuts and dried fruit, which can actually help you with a more restful sleep.

Food to Avoid: Alcohol

OK, while this may not be a food, there are a lot of people out there who think a nightcap can help them fall asleep. While it’s true that alcohol can help you fall asleep, you won’t get a lot of rest. People who go to bed with alcohol in their system tend to have fitful sleep, making it difficult to reach deeper stages of sleep.

As cliché as it may sound, a glass of warm milk can actually help you fall asleep by stimulating production of melatonin.

CPAPCentral.com is here for people who may need more than a glass a warm milk to help you sleep well. If you have sleep apnea, we have CPAP machines, CPAP masks and other supplies to help you sleep at night. Contact us to learn more.

Sleep and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder impacts a lot of people during the winter months.

Fall is a wonderful time of year. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to change color and there is seemingly nothing that can’t be made better by pumpkin spice. And while there is a lot to love about the autumn season, one of the things that can affect people in unexpected ways is shorter days.

The days are already starting to get shorter, and pretty soon daylight savings time will be at an end. These shorter days mean less sunlight, and can actually lead to a disorder that impacts your sleep: Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD. CPAPCentral.com wants to help you understand how this disorder can impact your sleep, and what you can do to treat it.

The Effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder can be caused by a few things, but among the most common are changes in your body’s circadian rhythms due to the reduced sunlight, which can lead to reduced levels of serotonin. Among the main side effects associated with SAD is insomnia, which means you’re unable to fall asleep and your energy levels decrease. In fact, studies have shown that up to 80 percent of people with Fall/Winter SAD experience hyperinsomnia. These side effects can lead to depression, which can be severe.

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

You should seek treatment if your symptoms are persistent, especially if you no longer find activities as enjoyable as you once did. If you are diagnosed with SAD, your doctor may prescribe light therapy, which simulates the same light as outdoor light and can trigger chemicals in the brain. Your doctor may also elect to use psychotherapy and anti-depressants to treat the disorder.

At home, there are steps you can take on your own to reduce the effects of SAD. Make sure to let as much natural light into your home as you can, and get outside as much as possible, weather permitting. Regular exercise can also help by taking away stress, which can make SAD symptoms worse.

CPAPCentral.com hopes that by raising awareness about SAD, you can be proactive and make changes to your daily routine before the disorder impacts your sleep.