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Category Archives: Sleep Tips

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.

Dealing with Sleepless Nights

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

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.

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.

Relaxation Techniques to Help you Sleep

Falling asleep can be tough, so use these tip to help yourself get in the right frame of mind for sleeping.

Falling asleep can be tough, so use these tip to help yourself get in the right frame of mind for sleeping.

 

If you have sleep apnea, falling asleep can be hard enough, especially if you’re not using CPAP equipment to help treat your sleep disorder. But, even if you use your CPAP equipment the way you’re supposed to, sometimes falling asleep can be a difficult task. CPAPCentral.com knows that from time to time, we all have a little trouble sleeping, and we’re here to help you find a solution that is more reliable than counting sheep.

Give Yourself Time to Get in a Sleepy Mood

For many of us, the day doesn’t end as soon as we walk out of the office at quitting time. You have to drive home, make dinner, spend time with your family, and sometimes do even more work once you get home. We’re used to doing things right up to the moment we go to bed. Instead, in the half hour before bedtime, give yourself time to relax in dim lighting.

Turn of the TV

Even when you are not be doing something stressful, like work, balancing your checkbook or paying the bills, you could still be preventing sleep. Watching TV and surfing the Internet on your computer or smartphone may seem like a harmless distraction, but it keeps your wheels turning and distracts you from sleeping. Turn of the electronics before you go to bed.

Relaxing in Bed

You want to be comfortable when you fall asleep. We don’t think about it very often, but there is a lot that goes into making sure you’re comfortable in bed. Start by finding a sleeping position that creates very little tension and allows you to relax. Once you’ve got your sleeping position, concentrate on your breathing to make sure you’re taking slower, deeper breaths. If you’re focusing on your breathing, you’re not as focused on the distractions of the day.

Following these suggestions can help you fall asleep faster. If you do have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, you may also want to consider these comfort supplies from CPAPCentral.com to help make sure you’re as comfortable as possible while you sleep.

Recommit to Your CPAP Therapy

Many people have trouble adjusting to CPAP therapy, but there are ways for you to get back on track.

Many people have trouble adjusting to CPAP therapy, but there are ways for you to get back on track.

 

There are times when you may get frustrated with your CPAP therapy. In fact, many people stop their CPAP therapy at some point because they feel like it may not be working for them. This is especially common for new CPAP users who are having trouble adjusting to the changes that come with CPAP therapy and using a CPAP machine.

May is National Recommit Month, and CPAPCentral.com wants to bring you some tips to help you recommit to your CPAP. If you’ve stopped your CPAP therapy for any reason, now is the time to recommit, and these tips can help you do it.

Tip to Recommit: Strength in Numbers

There are millions of people in the United States that have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and that have undergone treatment using CPAP therapy. Do some research to see if there are any CPAP support groups in your area.

Tip to Recommit: Make Sure You’re Comfortable

One of the main reasons people stop their CPAP therapy is due to feeling uncomfortable. Whether it’s adjusting to the air that passes through your mouth and nose or getting used to sleeping with a mask on your face every night, treating sleep apnea will force you to change your sleeping habits. If a mask makes you feel uncomfortable, try some mask liners, mask strap pads or a CPAP pillow to help make you feel more comfortable as you sleep.

Tip to Recommit: A Clean CPAP is a Happy CPAP

Cleaning your CPAP machine and equipment is very important. If your equipment isn’t clean, neither is the air passing through it. If the air isn’t clean, you have an increased risk for getting sick, which may cause you to stop your therapy.

CPAPCentral.com has all the equipment to make sure your CPAP therapy is as successful as it can be. Come to us for a new CPAP machine or mask to get your CPAP therapy back on the right track.

Sleeping With Seasonal Allergies

There are several steps you can take to make sure spring allergies don't affect your sleep therapy.

There are several steps you can take to make sure spring allergies don’t affect your sleep therapy.

 

It’s springtime! And while we are all happy to see warmer weather, sunshine and blooming flowers, there are some aspects of spring that make it tougher to enjoy a deep breath of that warm, fresh air. We’re talking about spring allergies, one of the few drawbacks that come with the spring season.

Millions of individuals deal with the effects of spring allergies. This means stuffy noses, sneezing, sore throats, and puffy eyes. When you combine that with a sleep disorder like sleep apnea, it can make springtime sleep a challenge. CPAPCentral.com has some tips that help you manage spring allergies and sleep apnea, and we hope they’re helpful for you!

What To Do With Your CPAP Machine

There are several adjustments that you can make to your CPAP therapy that can help control the effects of spring allergies. First, make sure your CPAP machine is clean. Products like the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer give your mask, tubing and humidifier a through daily cleaning, preventing buildup of mildew and pollen. You can also switch to a full face mask that allows you to breathe air through your mouth at the prescribed pressure. You may need a prescription for a full face mask, so check with your physician if you think this option might improve your sleep therapy experience.

Improve Your Home and Sleeping Environment

While we typically think of seasonal allergies affecting us when we’re outside, there are several things in your home that contribute to your allergies as well. Many of us keep plants in our homes, but once the weather warms, it’s probably a good time to take those plants outside. House plants serve as a great spot for mold and mildew to hang out, which makes your allergies worse. We also need to make sure outside air doesn’t get in. While it may nice to have a cool breeze blowing through an open window during the spring, leaving windows and doors open invites pollen indoors, making it easier for your allergies to flare up.

You should be enjoying the spring weather, but make sure you know how seasonal allergies impact you. CPAPCentral.com is here to offer you the cleaning supplies you need to make sure seasonal allergies don’t reduce the effectiveness of your sleep therapy.

Reducing Stress to Help you Sleep

Finding healthy ways to deal with your stress can not only help you relax, but also improve your sleep.

Finding healthy ways to deal with your stress can not only help you relax, but also improve your sleep.

 

We all deal with forms of stress every day. Whether it’s at work, at home, or somewhere else in your life, stress has a big impact on your sleeping pattern. When you can’t sleep and you’re stressed, it becomes a catch 22. You need sleep to help yourself feel less stressed, but because you’re stressed, you can’t sleep.

Stress is one of the factors that makes the symptoms of sleep apnea worse. CPAPCentral.com wants to help you find ways to manage your stress during April, which happens to be Stress Management Month. Using these techniques, you can reduce stress and help yourself to a better night’s sleep.

Identify The Source of Your Stress

We’ve all had the feeling at one time or another; you have so much to do that you start to feel overwhelmed, which leads to you not getting anything done. If you’ve had this feeling, you know what it feels like to be stressed. Try making a list of all your stress triggers. Some stress triggers may be obvious, such as health or financial concerns, but routine commitments such as commuting or arranging childcare can contribute to your stress level. Even positive life events, such as planning a wedding or starting a new job can be stressful.  Once you have identified the sources of your stress, you can find proactive ways to deal with them one at a time.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help

Because we all deal with stress, everyone can relate to being stressed out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and support. Another perspective may help you to manage your many demands. Friends and family members may be able to lend you a hand or give you suggestions of stress relief techniques that work for them. Help manage your stress by spending time with your friends and family in a relaxing setting. You’d be amazed how taking a night off from the daily grind can help you refocus, providing relief and clarity to help you deal with your stress.

Eat Healthy and Exercise Regularly

Exercise is a great way to reduce your stress level. Not only does it take your mind off stressful situations, it increases your production of endorphins, making you feel better overall. Exercise also can increase your self confidence and reduce levels of depression and anxiety. Regular exercise improves sleep patterns as well.  When you are well rested, you are better prepared to manage stress. Coupling exercise with a healthy diet, one that’s high in fruit and vegetables and low on caffeine, alcohol, and sugar, can help give you the boost that you need to tackle your stress.

Using these tips, you can help get your stress under control and get more rest every night. To help you out even further, CPAPCentral.com is here to provide you with the leading CPAP machines, masks, and comfort accessories to help you sleep.

Symptoms of Juvenile Sleep Apnea

Symptoms of sleep apnea in children.

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!

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

How to Talk to a Loved One About a Sleep Disorder

Discussing sleep disorder

Tips for talking with a loved one about sleep disorder symptoms.

Does your bed partner keep you up at night with their snoring or gasping for air? Are you concerned about their excessive daytime fatigue? Do you suspect they may have a sleep disorder like obstructive sleep apnea? If so, you are not alone and you may be losing sleep as well. Starting a conversation about a potential sleep disorder can be difficult, but CPAPCentral.com has some tips to help.

Be Honest – We recommend being honest through an open conversation about what you are seeing and hearing, as well as your feelings and concerns about the problem.

Provide Proof – For some people, it is hard to believe something without seeing it. Taking a video or audio recording of a loved one during sleep may be the proof they need to be compelled to schedule a sleep test. This recording may also be helpful when talking with a doctor about their sleep concerns.

Listen to the Doctor – Sleep disorders typically need medical consultation to accurately identify and address the root of the disorder. Discourage your loved one from using online forums for the do-it-yourselfer as every person’s situation is different. Have them talk with their doctor or sleep specialist to fully understand their situation. Encourage your loved one to follow the doctor’s orders and remind them it will take persistence, so don’t give up!

Suggest Apnea-Reducing Habits – In addition to doctor’s assistance and diagnosis, encourage your loved one to follow apnea-reducing habits such as weight loss, sleeping on their side, avoiding alcohol, and avoiding drugs that relax the body. These habits can help improve their sleep, especially if they have sleep apnea.

Be Patient – Remind your loved one that a sleep disorder may take time to control and therapies, such as CPAP therapy, may require time to allow them to adjust to the equipment and routine. It is important to be supportive of your loved one every step along the way. The goal is to help them succeed.

Starting a conversation could be hard, however with these tips, CPAPCentral.com is confident you can be adequately prepared for your discussion. We ultimately want to help everyone sleep better. If your loved one is diagnosed with sleep apnea, call CPAPCentral.com at 877-630-7386. We can walk them through selecting a CPAP machine and CPAP mask that fits their lifestyle.