Sleep apnea update
Recently, I bent my usual practice of limiting personal disclosure in the Blogland to talk about how I dealt with my sleep apnea issues (I won't be taking calls tonight & The Sounds of Science).
Usually the only comments I get about my health are those that wish me ill, but this time around, some of my readers commented, emailed and even called to ask how that was going. For those of you who care to know more, read on. For those who are looking for something less personal, come back tomorrow.
First, allow me to thank those of y'all who checked in with me. My readers treat me better than I usually deserve to be treated.
The second study, done by the fine folks at South Carolina Sleep Medicine in Summerville, was done with the assistance of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. It's a face mask, connected to a device which pumps air. As sleep apnea is caused by throat and nasal tissues which relax during sleep in such a manner that they block one's ability to breathe, the additional air pressure helps keep things open.
The other option is surgery, which commonly involves removing the tonsils and adenoids, which is a common procedure for children. However, with adults, surgical approaches often entail a lengthy recovery time, so the docs like to try the non-surgical machine approach first.
According to the data from the second study, the CPAP machine did the trick. Blood oxygen levels were just under the 100% mark, snoring down to a 2 out of 5, a much quicker move into REM sleep and no notable periods of interrupted breathing. Best of all, when Friday afternoon rolled around, I didn't feel like I had to take a nap.
Usually the only comments I get about my health are those that wish me ill, but this time around, some of my readers commented, emailed and even called to ask how that was going. For those of you who care to know more, read on. For those who are looking for something less personal, come back tomorrow.
First, allow me to thank those of y'all who checked in with me. My readers treat me better than I usually deserve to be treated.
The second study, done by the fine folks at South Carolina Sleep Medicine in Summerville, was done with the assistance of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. It's a face mask, connected to a device which pumps air. As sleep apnea is caused by throat and nasal tissues which relax during sleep in such a manner that they block one's ability to breathe, the additional air pressure helps keep things open.
The other option is surgery, which commonly involves removing the tonsils and adenoids, which is a common procedure for children. However, with adults, surgical approaches often entail a lengthy recovery time, so the docs like to try the non-surgical machine approach first.
According to the data from the second study, the CPAP machine did the trick. Blood oxygen levels were just under the 100% mark, snoring down to a 2 out of 5, a much quicker move into REM sleep and no notable periods of interrupted breathing. Best of all, when Friday afternoon rolled around, I didn't feel like I had to take a nap.
While it will likely take some time to see the long-term results, the initial results seem promising.
If this sounds like you, or someone you know, check out the links in this posting or contact me directly. The potential consequences to your health and lifestyle can be severe.
If this sounds like you, or someone you know, check out the links in this posting or contact me directly. The potential consequences to your health and lifestyle can be severe.
Thus far, the results are quite noticable - a big, big improvement.
Using the machine and putting in 30-60 minutes every evening on the bike is doing a lot to help me sleep - and rest - much better.
Finally, I asked my doctor about the problem and he had me try out a CPAP machine. The doc said my airway was closing off up to 70 times each hour, and that I stopped breathing for as long as one full minute at a time! He strongly recommended I start using the CPAP machine, since I was risking damage to my heart due to lack of oxygen.
I had read about CPAP machines before and always thought I would never be able to sleep with one, since I am somewhat claustrophobic. Surprisingly, it only took me a few minutes to get used to, and I was able to sleep comfortably from the very beginning with no problem.
The mask portion is just a small apparatus that fits on the nostrils to blow in air that keeps the throat inflated, thus preventing any snoring. Straps over the head are a little annoying, but they are necessary to keep the nose piece in place. If one changes sleeping positions at night, it’s possible for these straps to move, causing the nose piece to slip off.
I have been using a Dreamhelmet, a combination sleep mask sound-muffling pillow for years now, for sleeping at night and for napping during the day. I always find it hard to sleep without the Dreamhelmet, and I was afraid I would not be able to use it with the CPAP mask, but I was wrong about that too.
After I slept with the CPAP machine and mask for a short while, I tried wearing the Dreamhelmet over the CPAP, covering up the straps – voila, it worked like a charm! I found that the Dreamhelmet actually helps keep the straps in place when I change positions, so now I can sleep all night in comfort, not being bothered by sound, light, or changing positions. The CPAP and the Dreamhelmet are the perfect sleeping combination for me.
I now wake up rested, and I have energy that lasts all day long. I don’t feel so run down all the time or feel like I need an afternoon nap, but I still carry an extra Dreamhelmet in the car with me just in case I do need a nap.