How an AutoPap Differs From a CPAP Machine
As someone with sleep apnea, you know how it can wreak havoc on your daily life. Even when you get a full eight hours of sleep, you may find yourself feeling lethargic and unrested. To help combat the symptoms of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend that you use a breathing machine while you sleep to provide pressurized airflow that helps to keep your airway open — reducing your breathing disruptions and allowing you to achieve a better night’s sleep. By opting for positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, you’ll receive the pressure you need through a mask worn throughout the...
What Sleep Apnea Does to the Heart
While obstructive sleep apnea might only seem like a minor inconvenience, that’s not the case! Sleep apnea presents itself as snoring, choking, or gasping for air throughout the night while the patient sleeps, which seems harmless on its own. However, these breathing disturbances during the night increase the individual’s risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and even death due to cardiac arrest. A recent study found that 50% or more of cardiovascular patients are also diagnosed with sleep apnea, compared to less than 5% in the overall population. And that’s not all — another study uncovered that individuals experiencing both heart...
The 3 Types of Sleep Apnea Explained
There are few things more frustrating than a poor night’s sleep. Not only does poor sleep quality leave you feeling unrested and fatigued throughout the day, but it can increase the likelihood of mood swings and health problems. If you’re tired of feeling tired all the time, it’s time for you to discover if you’re suffering from a sleep disorder. By narrowing down which type of sleep apnea you have, your sleep physician can provide a recommended treatment plan that will help you manage your sleep disorder — providing a sense of relief during the night. Sleep apnea is a...
Self Care Tips: How Power Napping Can Improve Your Health
When you have sleep apnea, you know how hard it can be to feel well-rested throughout the day — even after a full night’s sleep. If you find yourself feeling tired and lethargic, you may be looking for a quick fix to feel a bit more alert. Have you considered a power nap? A power nap is a short and sleep nap that works with your natural sleep cycles to help you feel more rested. If you’ve even woken up from a nap and felt like ten years had passed, you may be unsure if power naps are for you....
Can Sleep Apnea Testing Be Required By Employers?
WillIf you suspect you have sleep apnea, you may be wondering if employers can require their employees to undergo sleep apnea testing. The short answer is yes — but most careers won’t require their employees to do so. Only specific industries, such as trucking, need their employees to get tested for sleep apnea. Commercial truck drivers must undergo a DOT physical exam before receiving the all-clear to hit the open road. This physical is required every two years to ensure the driver is healthy and can operate a commercial vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 lbs. Although the DOT physical...