4 Realities of Sleep Apnea and CPAP Treatment

Sleep is one of the most important parts of our lives. When you don’t get the sleep you need, it reverberates through every aspect of your life. For the millions of Americans who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, this is all too familiar. When left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) leaves you consistently exhausted and puts you at risk of a number of health problems, including heart disease and stroke. Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the realities of living with sleep apnea and undergoing CPAP treatment. If you’re looking for CPAP supplies to get the most out of your treatment, call CPAP Liquidators today! Our experienced and friendly team will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

-Lifestyle Changes

Positional Therapy

One way to help relieve the symptoms of OSA is to pay attention to the position you sleep in. When you sleep on your back in a supine position, it allows your throat muscles and tongue to relax, which can block your airway. If your OSA is mild, changing your sleeping position may be all you need to relieve your obstruction. Another option is raising the head of your bed, with as little as a four inch increase providing relief to some people, helping to reduce snoring and mild OSA.

Diet and Exercise

While not every person with OSA is overweight, obesity has been shown to be a factor in many cases. Losing some weight can help to reduce the amount of fatty tissue that has built up in the throat, which can help promote better airflow while sleeping. Additionally, weight loss can help to reduce snoring and apnea related episodes in many patients. Diet and exercise can have a tremendously positive impact on how well you sleep and give you more energy during the day. Along with regularly exercising on a daily basis, there are some foods that you should steer clear of, especially near bed time, including:

Red Meat- The proteins and fats keep your body working even when you’re trying to sleep. Additionally, the consumption of red meat increases your risk of heart disease, which does not play nice with OSA.

Celery- A healthy veggie that’s good to include in your diet, but it also acts as a natural diuretic, which could cause you to wake up in the middle of the night for an unexpected bathroom break.

Dark Chocolate- Much has been made about the health benefits of this semi-sweet treat, but it contains caffeine which can keep you awake when you’re trying to get some sleep.

Spicy Food- Can lead to heartburn and indigestion, making falling asleep quite difficult.

Doctors also recommend against heavy meals within three hours of your planned bedtime. If you’re feeling peckish before bed, choose a light snack instead. Choose snacks with tryptophan and calcium, such as cereal, cheese and crackers, or peanut butter toast to help you get to sleep easier.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

Quitting smoking, or at least reducing how much you smoke, can help to relieve your OSA symptoms. Smoke irritates and inflames the most sensitive tissues in your throat and lungs. This means that smoking increases the swelling of those tissues, leading to obstructions. Additionally, alcohol causes throat muscles to relax and increasing the likelihood they’ll collapse and cause an obstruction of the airway. Because of this, it is recommended to avoid drinking any alcohol within three or four hours of bedtime so you can reduce your risks of a blockage. Alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but it can prevent you from entering the restorative sleep cycles you need to rest up.

-CPAP Mask/Machine

The most effective form of OSA treatment is the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask and machine. Unfortunately, getting used to CPAP treatment can be quite difficult for many people, with an estimated 30-50 percent of CPAP patients disliking the treatment. A study showed that as much as half of CPAP patients quit using their machine within one to three weeks of beginning treatment. The only way CPAP treatment can work is if you actually use it. This makes finding a mask and machine that works for you especially important. Visit your local sleep center or clinic to test out masks to find what fits. There are a variety of styles suited to different face shapes and features. Once you find the right one, start wearing it during the day for some time to get used to how it feels.

-Traveling

When you’re diagnosed with OSA, it can feel like your freedom has been taken away. The reality is, you can still travel to your heart’s content, there’s just some extra considerations you have to keep in mind before you take flight. For a full rundown of traveling tips with a CPAP machine, check this blog we wrote a few months ago.

-You Aren’t Alone

With an estimated 12-25 million Americans suffering from OSA, you’re far from the only person going through this. You might think that is a pretty wide gap of possible patients, but that is due to how many people with OSA go undiagnosed — an estimated 80 percent! There are a few popular support groups to help people with OSA:

A.W.A.K.E. Network

A nationwide education and support group hosted by the American Sleep Apnea Association. You can check their site for meetings near you.

ASA Support Group Forum

If there isn’t a meeting in your immediate area, the American Sleep Apnea Association also hosts an interactive group discussion through their forum. This is a great resource to ask questions and get answers regarding a range of sleep disorder topics.

OSA is a difficult and often frustrating sleep disorder to deal with. However, treatment is available that can help you get the rest you need. We hope this has been a helpful resource for you as you learn more about OSA. If you are in need of CPAP supplies, call CPAP Liquidators. We offer a wide range of machines (new and low-hour refurbished), masks, and accessories to suit all of your needs. We hope to hear from you soon!