Category Archives: Sleep Disorders

Taking a sleeping pill? You might want to think twice

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Many beginning CPAP users find it difficult to adjust to wearing a mask, and seek out alternative ways to fall asleep. Many turn to over-the-counter sleep aids to help them nod off. But, before you pop a sleeping pill, you might want to consider a few of the side effects.

Sleeping pills are drugs better known as sedative hypnotics. Sedative hypnotics induce or maintain someone’s sleep by increasing how drowsy they feel. Sleeping pills are designed to depress the central nervous system and cause you to fall asleep. Some drugs available over-the-counter are designed to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep. But, in the long run these medicines can do more harm than good.

Sleeping pills have many side effects, which can be a disadvantage when you have respiratory problems like COPD or sleep apnea! Be aware of these symptoms if you currently use sleeping pills:

Burning in your hands, arms, feet or legs
Tingling in your hands, arms, feet or legs
Appetite or mood changes
Constipation, along with diarrhea
Dizziness and balance problems
Headache
Heartburn
Weird dreams
Weakness

If you or a loved one experience these symptoms while using sleeping pills, please seek medical attention and quit taking the medicine. Some of the ingredients in sleeping pills may be causing an allergic reaction that you’re not used to.

Try some of these easier ideas to help gain the sleep you’re looking for:

Melatonin is a herbal remedy for achieving better sleep
Drink warm milk
Read before bed as it relaxes your body and mind
Exercise regularly and put a focus on eating a more balanced diet
Try listening to relaxing music throughout your day

Remember, if it’s a matter of getting used to a new CPAP mask, you can always turn to CPAPCentral.com for help. We have a wide variety of CPAP masks, and can find one that meets your needs.

Could Rhinitis be affecting your sleep apnea therapy?

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Have you been dealing with cold-like symptoms since starting your sleep apnea therapy? It might not be the CPAP machine’s fault—you could have a condition called Rhinitis!

Approximately 10-30 percent of adults are affected by this each year, but many people have never heard about it. It’s common as we age, but can also be hard to diagnose. As we grow older, our septal cartilage and the nasal columella can weaken and sag, leaving the airways more congested. Mucus in the sinuses also thickens and can increase congestion. If you have untreated sleep apnea or use a CPAP, these nasal issues can create even more problems.

Rhinitis is the medical term for the irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Symptoms include a stuffy nose or runny nose and post-nasal drip. It can also include coughing, headache, watery eyes, sneezing and nasal itching, fatigue and a general mental fog. Many people wrongly assume that they have a cold and try to treat the wrong problem.

Keep notes on when the symptoms started and how long you’ve had them. Colds only last a short period of time and Rhinitis can go on indefinitely. Talk to your doctor. They can tell you if you have a cold or if Rhinitis is to blame. They can then prescribe the right medications.

If you use a CPAP or BiPAP, keep using it and clean and replace the filter, mask and tubing frequently. Use your CPAP or BiPAP device as usual until you talk to a doctor or respiratory therapist. Your sleep apnea therapy may be even more beneficial to your health since you are congested and you will probably require more and better sleep to recover.

Let the experts at CPAP Central help you breathe healthy every day! We carry a wide range of CPAP Masks, CPAP and BiPAP Machines and CPAP Accessories.

Knowledge is Power: Sleeping Disorders

There are other sleep disorders beyond sleep apnea, and they impact millions of people every night.

At CPAPCentral.com we’ve got you covered when it comes to information about sleep apnea and providing you with the CPAP supplies you need. However, sleep apnea is just one of many sleep disorders that impact people across the world when they try to sleep.

Whether you’re having trouble falling asleep, sleeping too much, or facing another sleep disorder, CPAPCentral.com wants to make sure you have as much information as possible about various sleep disorders so you can receive effective treatment.

Insomnia

Among the most common sleep disorders, insomnia’s main symptom is extreme difficulty falling asleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, it can lead to a wide range of side effects, including taking away our energy and disturbing our focus. This leads to a change in mood and can also affect performance at work and quality of life. Insomnia has a wide range of treatments, which can include everything from medication to providing patients with education on proper sleeping habits like controlling stimulus before sleep, setting a regular sleep schedule and performing relaxation techniques before bed.

Narcolepsy

You can think of narcolepsy as the polar opposite of insomnia. Narcolepsy causes excessive drowsiness and can force people to suddenly fall asleep. This is a chronic condition with no known cure that can wreak havoc on your daily routine. Additionally, narcolepsy may lead to other sleep disorders. Common forms of treatment for narcolepsy include medications that stimulate the nervous system and reduce REM sleep and making lifestyle changes like starting a sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol, and exercising regularly.

Restless Leg Syndrome

The name really says it all with restless leg syndrome, also known as RLS. The main symptom for RLS is people will experience an urge to move their legs while their lying down. This urge can be painful and can occur any time your legs are at rest, whether your lying in bed or sitting in a chair. Treating RLS is all about managing symptoms through measures like limiting caffeine and alcohol, and creating an exercise plan. RLS can also be a result of vitamin deficiency and symptoms can be made worse by prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to these three conditions, please make an appointment to see your doctor. During your appointment, it’s important to share as much information with your doctor as possible so you can receive an effective treatment plan.