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Category Archives: Sleep Recommendations

Taking a sleeping pill? You might want to think twice

Week 1

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.

How Much Sleep Should You Get

Getting enough sleep is critical to ensuring you're well-rested and have enough energy for your day.

Getting enough sleep is critical to ensuring you’re well-rested and have enough energy for your day.

 

When it comes to making sure you have the energy to attack your day, it all starts with a good night’s sleep. But how much sleep should you be getting every night? What are the side effects of not getting a good night’s sleep? And, finally, what if you have a condition that prevents you from getting the sleep you need?

CPAPCentral.com wants you to be aware of the newly released findings of a study performed by the National Sleep Foundation to help you realize the important role sleep plays in your health.

Recommended Sleep Amounts

While the recommendations for adults between the ages of 26 and 64 didn’t change from the previous guidelines of seven to nine hours per night, the recommendations for seniors did. For the first time, sleep recommendations were made for those over the age of 65. Seniors should be getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night, according to the study.

Side Effects of a Poor Night’s Sleep

The statistics related to a poor night’s sleep are truly frightening. Every year, more than 100,000 traffic accidents, 75,000 injuries and 1,500 deaths are blamed on lack of sleep. Missing sleep has a cumulative effect, according to the Foundation, and missing a few hours of sleep each night has the same effect of staying up all night.

The Effects of Sleep Apnea

One of the key reasons millions Americans don’t get enough sleep is because they are dealing with undiagnosed sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to briefly stop breathing when they are asleep. Sleep apnea prevents you from getting to the deeper levels of sleep where you get the most rest. This can lead to a variety of issues, including high levels of exhaustion.

If sleep apnea is the reason behind your poor night’s sleep, CPAPCentral.com is here to help. We have CPAP machines to provide you with the air you need, masks to deliver the air and other accessories to make sure you’re comfortable as you use the machine every night to get the restful sleep you need.