Is it getting harder and harder for you to fall asleep as you age? You’re not alone. Sleep problems become much more pronounced as we get older. In fact, it’s not uncommon for a healthy 70-year-old person to wake up several times throughout the night. So, how can you tell what is and is not normal for as you age? Today, CPAPCentral.com will help you or a loved one understand why sleep disorders are common with seniors.

The list of things that can lead to poor sleep in older people is long. Some of those include:

Alzheimer’s Disease – People with Alzheimer’s often get days and nights confused. They can be sleepy throughout the day and then become wide awake and restless at night. This is particularly hard on spouses or caretakers who need to adjust their sleep to the new schedule.

Alcohol – Even though alcohol is a depressant, when the alcohol filters through our bodies, the effects wear off and we wake up again. As we age, we may not be able to handle alcohol the way we did in our younger years. Some alcohol, like a beer or glass of red wine, can be good for the body and overall health, but any alcohol should be consumed in moderation and early in the evening, well before bedtime.

Stimulants – We live in a caffeinated world. Coffees and teas have gone from being a simple drink we had in our thermos cups to a multibillion dollar “double-shot espresso, hold the cream, skinny latte” phenomenon. Don’t forget to include energy drinks and soda to this equation too!

Just like alcohol, some caffeine is good for you and has even been suggested for people with Parkinson’s disease. As we age, we also lose our need for caffeine and our tolerance. If you still want to enjoy a bit of caffeine, drink it earlier in the day and cut it off by the afternoon. Switch to decaf or half-caffeinated coffees or teas.

CPAPCentral.com carries many CPAP accessories to help you get a better night’s sleep. Visit our website today and check out what we have!

The goal of CPAP therapy is to give patients the tools they need to find long-term success with their therapy so they continue to use their CPAP machine each night. But, for many patients, it can be challenging to get used to CPAP therapy. In fact, even people who have used their CPAP machine for years aren’t entirely sure if they’re making progress and improving their sleep.

CPAPCentral.com now offers a CPAP machine that helps you make adjustments to your therapy, track your progress and allows new users to get used to CPAP therapy: the DreamStation Sleep Therapy System from Philips Respironics.

DreamStation is the only system that offers Bluetooth®, cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity options, allowing your sleep data to be delivered to your Smartphone, tablet, or computer so you can track your progress using the DreamMapper app.  The system also automatically adjusts to you, checking pressure levels every 30 hours and making adjustments to meet your needs.

Available for CPAP, Auto CPAP, BiPAP and Auto BiPAP users, the DreamStation features a brand-new design that offers several enhancements. Compared to similar sleep systems, the DreamStation is:

• 30 percent smaller
• 40 percent lighter
• 63 percent quieter

From the EZ-Start function that automatically adjusts for new users using an innovative pressure acclimation algorithm, to the SmartRamp feature that keeps pressure low until the user has an obstructive respiratory event, the DreamStation is all about making it easy for you to acclimate to and manage your therapy.

If you’re ready to sleep smarter and improve your sleep therapy with the DreamStation Sleep Therapy System, CPAPCentral.com is ready to help. From providing you with information about CPAP masks like the newest DreamWear™ nasal mask from Philips Respironics to answering any questions you may have, our CPAP experts are ready to help you find better sleep.

You may have taken a vow at the start of this new year to exercise more and get in better shape. CPAPCentral.com applauds any step you take towards better health, and would like to suggest a few exercises to add to your new daily routine. These exercises are for your throat muscles and may help alleviate sleep apnea symptoms.

 

As you may know, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea are a result of weak muscles in the soft palate and upper throat, where the pharyngeal muscles are.  If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, it can cause you to stop breathing during sleep and severely diminish sleep quality.

 

What are some ways you can help with your sleep apnea? Take a look at these two options to consider helping with your sleep apnea treatment.

 

Singing

 

Yup, belting out a tune can be helpful, according to a clinical trial performed by Exeter University, United Kingdom. Try singing in the shower or on your way to work. It will help strengthen your throat muscles. Serious singers improved their tone and strengthened their muscles by practicing certain vocal exercises.

 

Focused exercises

 

Other exercises can strengthen certain focused areas of your throat, such as:

 

• Exercising your tongue – Your tongue is still a muscle and even though it cannot build muscle, exercising it can help reduce your snoring at night. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold it for five seconds. Repeat 10 times.
• Throw a birthday party – Help blow up balloons at your next birthday party.
• Open up – Simply open your mouth and say “Ahhhhh” like you’re at the doctor’s office.  Try holding for as long as possible.
• Smile wide – Stretch out the 40 muscles in your face by working out your cheeks.

 

Try these tips sometime when you’re awake.  When you’re ready to sleep, Make sure you’re using the best sleep apnea therapy products from CPAPCentral.com.  For all of your CPAP accessories and machines, please contact us today!