Sleep Apnea

Five Stages of Sleep

2006-02-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

The Five Stages of Sleep

We generally think sleep is a simple process even when we are fully aware of the perils of lack of sleep.

Typical sleep passes through these five stages. EEG hints different levels of brain activity during the different stages of sleep.

Stages 1 through 4. The first four stages of sleep shows gradual decline of brain waves, suggesting lesser brain activity. As we reach the fourth stage, our brain activity is almost nil.

On the fifth stage the condition reverses, with fast paced brain activities.

Stage five –Also known as REM Stage, REM sleep, characterized by Rapid Eye Movements and high levels of brain activities. Brain is highly active during this stage.

We pass through these five stages of sleep five to six times (5-6 cycles of sleep stages) in a typical 6 hour sleep.

It is not OK to wake one up when he or she is in third, fourth or REM stage of sleep.

Sleep Apnea: Kill the Killer Before it Kills You

2006-02-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

Sleep apnea, the silent killer attacks when we are too vulnerable at sleep. Death at Sleep rarely gets our attention and rarely will go enquiring the reasons.

Sleep Apnea causes temporary cessation of breathing during sleep. The only guard we unconsciously take is waking up. A sleep apnea person can wake up as much as hundred times in a 6-8 hour sleep. We almost never remember 99 of such waking instances.

Completion of at least a single sleep cycle thus becomes impossible. The condition is similar to total lack of sleep. This is the reason why apnea people fall asleep in odd situations, like behind the wheels or in the office.

Full time dizziness and quick falling to sleep at odd hours can be symptoms of sleep apnea. Loud snoring during sleep can be another possible symptom of sleep apnea. Identification of sleep apnea by a full night sleep study under the aegis of a qualified medical practitioner is necessary to study the seriousness of the condition.

Obese men above 40 have risks of sleep apnea, but even then no one, even toddlers are not free from this unfortunate condition.

According to the severity of the condition, specific sleep apnea treatments may become necessary. There are also certain medicines claiming to cure sleep apnea effectively, but it is premature to start believing their claims.

MyWestTexas.com - Lifestyle & Features - 01/29/2006 - Eliminating sleep apnea, losing weight should help reduce snoring

2006-01-29T06:19:00.000-08:00

Weightlose can have this advantage too. You get good sleep.

I have been asking my friends to reduce weight, but of no avail

Eliminating sleep apnea, losing weight should help reduce snoring: "Lose 10 percent of your body weight to help stop snoring. Overweight people tend to have bulky neck tissue, which increases the risk of snoring."

Computers Kill Sleep

2006-01-27T15:12:00.000-08:00

Computers Reduced My Sleeping Time

It is for the first time is spent so much time before a computer monitor with my new job as an
SEO Professional, which started just a few months ago. Till then I was a journalist.

I used to sleep more than seven hours a day, now I sleep for less than 6 hours. Although I am not tired with the new sleep pattern, it worries me.

Major part of my office stay, from nine to six, completely is before a computer screen, studying different websites for possible reasons of high rank in Google.

After getting home also, I spent time e-mailing, reading news online and writing for this blog. Six hours is normal sleep, as you would say. But I simply love to sleep more.

My worry is whether I turn to be an insomniac. I love to sleep for more than six hours. I had such a luxury.

Friends, if you are experiencing similar thing, kindly email me your experience or put a comment to this post. My email is princetvm@rediffmail.com

Sleep Apnea FAQ

2006-01-22T01:40:00.000-08:00

Find some data about apnea, its perils and measures to take to guard against sleep apnea.

Sleep Apnoea FAQ / Sleep Apnea FAQ

News on Sleep Apnea

2006-01-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

Sleep Apnea in Toddlers

Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) in toddlers is characterized by enlarged tonsils and adenoids and is characterized by episodes

of partial or complete upper airway obstruction that occur during sleep,
including snoring, cyanosis (a bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes),
and poor sleep quality. Daytime symptoms can include mouth breathing, behavior
problems, hyperactivity and excessive daytime sleepiness.

OSAS affects about 500,000 American children every year.

Bethesda Doctors Help Sleep Apnea Patients Breathe Easier

Seeing a loved one stop breathing for 60 seconds while they
sleep may concern you, but it's fairly common diagnosis for your doctor. The
patient may suffer from sleep apnea.

The condition usually occurs when soft tissues in a
person's trachea swells during sleep and restricts airflow. Apnea episodes can
occur as many as 100 per hour.

The National Naval Medical Center treats some 90 percent of
patients per year with sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea can cause a greater risk for falling asleep
behind the steering wheel, because it affects the person's ability to
concentrate. The condition also affects memory, personality, mental stability
and the person's sex drive.

Sleep Apnea Directly Related to Cardiovascular Changes due to High Blood
Pressure

My Experiments To Counter Sleep Apnea

2006-01-11T16:21:00.000-08:00

My Experiments To Counter Breathing Problems and Sleep Apnea

I’m too much bored about the suggestion by experts to sleep on the side than on my back. I tried it for one night. I got a good advice to keep a tennis ball in a pocket sewed on the back of the night dress. When I come on my back the ball causes discomfort and I was forced to lie on my back. I persisted through the midnight and by that time I woke up 6 times. I pulled and threw away my gown and slept for the rest of the night.

Why I should lie on my back? I stopped that experiment. It is not a nice thing to lie on a side for the whole night. So I decided something different. This time I challenged to lie on my back- but without a pillow. In this way I found more comfortable breathing. But sleeping without a pillow; it is too much to bear. I made a pillow for myself. I folded the bed-sheet to make a one inch thick ‘pillow’. I continue to sleep on my back with this pillow.

Continuing this experiment, I’m getting comfortable sleep. It may be because I have no serious sleep apnea. This is my experiment only and sleep apnea patients are NOT advised to emulate me.

Sleep Apnea News

2006-01-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

Study highlights
Potential Perils of Sleep Apnea

A Study by Klar Yaggi, a sleep specialist at Yale University during his sleep

study that spanned three years found "the people with sleep apnea were about
twice as likely to have a stroke or die."

He also found patients not remembering the waking up and gasping for breath.

Sometimes Surgery is Needed to Treat Sleep Apnea

A Reuters report says nasal CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is not

always a permanent solution to Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

According to researchers the real problem is underlying neurological lesions

that cause disordered breathing, and solution would be by checking the progress
of those lesions by Sleep Apnea Surgery.

Central Sleep Apnea Patients Vulnerable to Heart Problems

Studies found an increased chance of Atrial Fibrillation Characterized by
decreased pumping efficiency of heart significantly higher in Central Sleep
Apnea patients (27%) against those patients suffering from Obstructive Sleep
Apnea (1.7%).

Risk of Stroke is also higher in Sleep Apnea Patients as per the report of

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Highlights of Sleep Apnea Report

Persons with Obstructive Sleep Apnea has four times risk to Stroke

It is higher than in people with Diabetes and Smoking habits

CPAP is the effective form of sleep apnea treatment

Let Sleep Apnea Wait- While You sleep

2005-12-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

Use CPAP; Experience New Life

Many Obstructive Sleep Apnea patients find it difficult to use CPAP because of the inconvenience of tubes and mask. I agree- using CPAP is a difficult task. But compare it to the advantages once you are free sleep deprivation and related difficulties.

As you know a good night’s sleep is the prologue for a bright day. The difference is visible at work and social relationships. Quick falling into sleep is a major symptom of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA); imagine falling asleep while attending a serious meeting or worse while driving home.

Some techniques to get used to CPAP-

Use a humidifier; this will reduce the difficulty of breathing dry air.

Set the air-pressure to minimum at first and gradually increase the pressure to comfortable levels.

First use it for a few seconds; then increase the time to one minute, 10 minutes and more. Finally you will be able to wear the mask for the whole night for an un-interrupted sleep.

Hold the mask loosely at first, then you will find a comfortable position for the mask.

The pains you take to counter sleep deprivation due to sleep apnea will pay off and the results will be visible in a few days.

Identification of Sleep Apnea

2005-12-30T16:23:00.000-08:00

Identification of Sleep Apnea

OSA is mostly left unnoticed. Sleep partner of the OSA are best to identify the condition. Snoring and occasional cessation of breathing can give a clue to the condition. The doctor prescribes sleep study to identify the state of the disease. The breathing pattern through the sleep is studied.

Organizations
There are some organizations like American Sleep Apnea Association, offering support for both the patients and their family members. Their website also carries the impressive stories of persons who learned to live better lives.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

2005-12-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Treatment for sleep apnea and is almost like that of snoring. OSA is not just a sleep problem, but a general health problem that affects the work and daily life of persons. Changes in life style including avoiding smoking and drinking can help. Regular sleeping pattern, losing extra body fat etc can also help. One sleeping habit worth a try is sleeping on a side than on the back; it reduces the chance of blocking the airway by collapsing of the windpipe.

CPAP
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) equipments help the patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to maintain a constant air-pressure to the air-passage. It is operated on battery power. An additional option for CPAP equipments is humidifier, to avoid taking in irritable dry air.

The use of CPAP is a tedious task for the first timer. Constant effort is needed to increase air-pressure and time. The patients feel better once they are used to the CPAP. The patients somehow have to take the pain of adjusting to the masks and tubes of CPAP for the sake of good sleep and healthier living.

Surgery
Surgical treatment for sleep apnea is only recommended for severe case of sleep apnea. The surgery includes the removal of tissues that causes the blockage in the airway. Usually the uvula, seen on the back side of the throat is removed or reduced by surgery or by laser treatment. If surgery is the only way out, the patients can rely on the few qualified surgeons specializing in sleep apnea surgery.

There are also nasal sprays to reduce difficulty in breathing. It is better sleep and better life, can’t miss out.

Sleep Apnea- Are You Aware?

2005-11-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder. Breathing takes pauses during sleep. it may go upto 1 minute.

Sleep apnea is normally not diagnosed.

the problems of sleep apnea persons are feeling drowsi and falling asleep at very odd times.

imagine you falling asleep while driving home!

although big bellied men above 40 are more prone to this condition, noone including children are free from this condition.