Originally, the device was developed to treat snoring but since the causes of apnea and snoring are pretty much comparable, there are individuals that manufacture this unique kind of pillow that enhances it in order that even individuals who are suffering from sleep apnea may be cured. These pillows have six crucial components that were especially made to eradicate or treat apnea. The back and neck assistance may be the most critical component of the pillow due to the fact it helps in supporting the head from slipping and will permit it to the right position. Other components are the shoulder rest, head assistance, forehead help, ear comfort depression, along with the pressure-mask region.

The very first three nights of making use of the slumber apnea pillows could be very uncomfortable by as you get employed to employing the pillow, you’ll definitely think at ease. Should you be to compare the pillow to CPAP it truly is far more convenient to use rather than wearing the mask whilst sleeping. Apnea might not be an irritating as other slumber problem but it can still have an impact on out life that’s why it really is significant to treat it as early as probable.

Read More: snoring, trouble sleeping , Sleep Apnea Pillows to Eliminate Apnea

University of Chicago Researchers Developing Urine Test to Identify Childhood Sleep Apnea

Released December 10, 2009
[Excerpt] A pilot study has found that levels of four proteins in a child’s urine can reliably distinguish between obstructive sleep apnea, which should receive prompt treatment, and habitual snoring, which does not require medical attention.

Such a test could alleviate the need for costly and inconvenient sleep studies in children who snore, researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Louisville report in the December 15, 2009, issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

A simpler test could also speed up screening, diagnosis and treatment and “ameliorate the overall outcome,” the authors suggest.

“We did not expect that urine would enable us to identify OSA,” said study director David Gozal, MD, professor and chairman of pediatrics at the University of Chicago.

“However, the field of biomarkers is rapidly expanding. This opens the way for possible simple diagnostic screening methods in the future.”

Read more at [Chicago press release]

The pillar procedure promises to cure snoring and reduce sleep apnea problems without undergoing invasive and radical surgery. The treatment was approved by the FDA back in 2004 but the pillar procedure technique uses small implants to stiffen the soft palate in snorers.

The technique is relatively new with a reported 30 thousand snorers having the procedure done worldwide. To see if the pillar procedure is available in your area contact your ear nose and throat specialist.

The Pillar Procedure is a new FDA approved office procedure to treat primarily snoring disorders and select cases of sleep apnea.

The most common source of snoring is from the fluttering of the soft palate which is the soft part of the top of the mouth. Often the uvula which is hanging tissue at the back of the throat will also flutter causing the snoring or increasing the sound intensity.

This technique lessens the incidences of snoring by stiffening the soft palate thereby reducing the vibration of the soft palate.

This new technique is done in an outpatient setting, often right in the physician’s office, typically in less than one hour under local anesthesia. The doctor will “freeze” your throat using sprays, gels, and Lidocaine. Then three small “pillar” implants which are about 2 mm in diameter are placed inside the soft palate to cause scarring to stiffen the palate.  As the implants stimulate scarring, the soft palate will stiffen resulting in continued reduction of snoring for 4-6 weeks.

Since the procedure is done in an outpatient setting, recovery is much quicker and with less discomfort than other sleep apnea surgery procedures. Pain after the surgery varies widely depending on individual tolerances and personalities. Generally speaking, on average a person should anticipate soreness in the area for a few days after the procedure.

Is This Procedure Right For You?

Ask your ENR specialist or physician. You can’t determine the proper answer just from information that you read here or anywhere else. Only a licensed physician can determine if the pillar procedure is appropriate for your individual situation. The procedure was developed for people who are “palatal” snorers with small tonsils and a favorable tongue position. These factors can only be determined after a proper assessment and physical exam during your visit to a physician. If you have severe sleep apnea, this technique may not be recommended.

Does It Work?

Current studies vary. It is reported that in general 70-90% of patients or their partners were satisfied with the reduction of snoring. Long-term studies are currently still being conducted and results compiled. Remember, the pillar procedure is a relatively new procedure.

This new procedure has many advantages compared to standard sleep apnea surgery and other snoring surgical treatments.

1. It is minimally invasive
2. Performed under local anesthesia
3. It is performed in an outpatient setting (less disruption to your schedule)
4. It is a less painful procedure and recovery is also faster

The Pillar Procedure is the latest and greatest procedure aimed at treating snoring and various degrees of sleep apnea.

This hose is typically about 6ft. in length. The fit and comfort of the sleep apnea mask is critical for your comfort while sleeping.

A poorly fitting sleep apnea mask is not only uncomfortable but will allow air to leak. This creates noise for you and your sleeping partner and causes the sleep apnea machine to under perform its function. You may have to try different sleep apnea masks to find the one that works best for your sleeping habits.

All the sleep apnea machines deliver the air pressure to you through a reinforced flexible hose that is attached to the sleep apnea mask you select. This mask must fit your nose properly to get a good seal and to work properly.

There are three styles of sleep apnea masks available:

The nasal sleep apnea mask is the most commonly used mask by apnea sufferers and is the one typically prescribed for first time users.

It can be bulky and take awhile to get used to the mask but, most people tolerate it fairly well.  This is the mask style that almost every newly diagnosed individual will use with their new sleep apnea machine.

Most people will never change the type of mask they first use. In addition, this type of sleep apnea mask is popular with people who are restless sleepers. This mask covers the entire nose and is held in place by straps or headgear.

The full face sleep apnea mask may be needed if you breathe through your mouth or your mouth tends to drop open while you sleep.

The chin strap is disliked by many people because it requires using two different devices.  It creates a situation where there is just too many straps to manipulate.

All you have to do is try an untangle your mask straps in the middle of the night after taking it off for a quick bathroom break.

It is also an alternative for people who suffer from chronic sinus issues. It is also held in place by straps and headgear. The full face mask eliminates the need for a separate chin strap. It is however, the most bulky and uncomfortable mask used for sleep apnea.

For side sleepers the nasal prong device is the sleep apnea mask of choice. This type of sleep apnea mask fits under the nose with nasal openings that fit inside the nostril. It sounds intrusive but it is quite comfortable.

The prongs are pliable and made from a silicon based material.

The advantage is obvious once you see this unique sleep apnea device.

Their are no obstructions to the ability to turn side to side. The hose attaches from the top which keeps it out of the way while you are sleeping. No more getting tangled in the air supply hose.

Newer models introduced are the nasal pillows. This mask doesn’t seal as well as the nasal prong device and it is more uncomfortable to wear.

The nasal pillow fits up against the nostrils but does not insert into the nostrils like the nasal prong.

The differences between the two are subtle but users will have clear preferences depending on their facial structure and sleeping habits.

No matter which sleep apnea mask style you choose you will want to make sure to get one that fits well and does not leak.

A mask should last 6 months to a year though manufacturers recommend replacing the mask every 3 months and the entire mask setup (mask, hose, head gear) every 6 months. If you clean your sleep apnea machine, mask and the air hose everyday your mask may last you much longer. You may have to tighten the head gear straps to get a better seal over time but as long as you don’t have leaks and the gear is still comfortable your mask should work fine.

As always, the opinion of your doctor or sleep technician is the final say on your sleep apnea mask replacement schedule.

You need to take a sleep apnea test if you snore so loudly it can be heard in another room or find yourself waking repeatedly during the night. Often your sleep partner may notice that you stop breathing for short periods of times or gasp often while sleeping.

Other sleep apnea symptoms that indicate you need a sleep apnea test are:

• You feel tired and low on energy
• You wake up with headaches or in a daze
• You feel sleepy and struggle to stay awake during the day
• You fight falling asleep while driving

If you experience one or more of these symptoms you should get a sleep apnea test ASAP.

Sleep Apnea Test Procedures

The test is easy and painless. It can be done at home but most doctors will insist you get the test done at a sleep clinic. The test is called a sleep study, or Polysomnogram. We’ll stick with the term “sleep study”. This study will determine if you suffer from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder such as restless leg syndrome.

During the sleep apnea test monitors and records these apnea events, the number of apnea events and how long each event lasts. In addition, your blood oxygen level is recorded to determine the extent of potential damage to your heart and other vital organs. Finally, the percentage of time your sleep in REM and the amount of snoring you exhibit allows the sleep specialists and your physician to properly diagnose the type of sleep disorder you have and its severity.

Home Sleep Apnea Test

While there are home monitors and even a fingertip and wrist device available for a sleep study, you should consider spending the night at a sleep center for the most complete diagnosis.

It is only your health. And no matter how much money or wealth you may or may not have, a high quality of life is 100% dependent on your health.

As stated by Dr. Michael J. Twery, director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research:

“Sleep apnea is not a condition that kills you acutely. It is a condition that erodes your health over time.”

Over time, sleep apnea has been proven to lead to a long list of nasty diseases.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, these are just some of the side effects of sleep apnea:

• High blood pressure
• Eye disorders, including glaucoma, conjunctivitis, and dry eye
• Irregular menstrual periods
• High-risk pregnancies
• Liver damage
• Seizures, epilepsy, and other nerve disorders
• Diabetes
• Kidney failure
• Stroke
• Heart failure

Some people even believe that there is something everyone should do before taking a sleep apnea test.

Read, “Cure Your Sleep Apnea Without CPAP” because the #1 cause of sleep apnea is obesity – and we all know that obesity is a huge trend across the world.

In these real-life case studies you’ll learn in-depth about the lives and treatments of 9 people who have conquered their apnea.

“Cure Your Sleep Apnea without CPAP” (50% Discount Code: DD-094201)

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Some involve more effort than others and they all have varying costs. The simplest less intrusive way to help your sleep apnea is probably the hardest while the fastest way is the most costly.

The fastest but costly sleep apnea treatments is through Somnoplasty followed by a Uvula Palatoplasty. The simplest but hardest way is to lose weight. Somewhere in the middle is where most people have found the sleep apnea treatments of choice.

Sleep Apnea Surgery

Some people will chose to treat their disorder with sleep apnea surgery. In this procedure the excess fatty tissue that is obstructing the air way is removed. Typically a laser is used to vaporize the tissue instead of the traditional cutting. This typically involves the removal of the Uvula (Uvula Palatosplasty) also may include removing enlarged tonsils or adenoids. It is performed on an outpatient basis.

Uvula Palatosplasty

The laser assisted Uvula Palatosplasty is a less invasive type of sleep apnea treatments than the Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty or UPPP surgery. This surgery removes the tissue from the back of the throat and requires a hospital stay. Recovery can last several weeks versus the couple of days of recovery from the laser assisted procedure.

Somnoplasty

Another sleep apnea treatments surgery is the Somnoplasty. This treatment can be done in the doctor’s office and uses a radio frequency to create a void in the soft palate. When this void heals the surrounding tissue stiffens or tightens up the loose soft palate tissue. The results are a significant reduction and often elimination of the snoring. The use of this surgery as an effective sleep apnea treatment is highly debated.

Non-Surgery Sleep Apnea Treatments

For people with mild apnea and excessive snoring, some people have tried losing weight and positional sleeping to treat the snoring and apnea. Lose of weight is pretty straight-forward. Simple, yet difficult. Positional therapy as a sleep apnea treatments is easy but hard at the same time. It involves changing your sleeping position to eliminate snoring and prevent relating apnea symptoms.

Many people who sleep on their back have an increased chance of snoring and experiencing mild apnea.

This is because gravity plays a factor in pulling the relaxed throat and neck tissue over the airway when the mouth drops open.

To avoid this problem a snoring chin strap can provide easy relief.

Others who sleep on their back people have tried foam wedges, adjustable beds and even strapping tennis ball onto their back.

As you can see positional therapy is not only uncomfortable but often impracticable. Plus the elevation methods only cause a greater obstruction as your head will fall forward while you sleep.

The Sleep Apnea Machine

In the middle is the most widely used and most popular way of all sleep apnea treatments, the sleep apnea machine.

The sleep apnea machine has a quiet blower pushing air through a flexible hose attached to a mask over or under your nose provides a stream of air that keeps your throat and neck airway open.

Insurance will usually cover most, if not all of the cost. With a properly fitting mask it is 100% reliable and after a couple of days you get used to the air flow and noise.

Of all the sleep apnea treatments this is the most popular. The only drawback most users will state is the inability to use the machine during a power failure.

Holistic Approach

Growing in popularity among people of all ages is the reliance on natural or holistic approaches to solving our health problems.

SnoreZip™ is not a pill, mask or other device that has to be worn. It’s an all-natural, homeopathic oral spray designed to help alleviate the symptoms that may be causing you to snore, so you and your partner can get the benefits that come with getting better quality sleep.

If you too are considering this option you will want to talk with your physician or sleep specialist to determine which sleep apnea treatments method is appropriate for your disorder.

Sleep apnea surgery is intended to eliminate or significantly reduce the source of the blockage of your throat airway. This is done by reducing the excess tissue of the palate. This sleep apnea surgery typically will also involve the removal of the uvula and tonsils or adenoids.

Sleep Apnea Surgery Risks

Though any surgery involves risk, untreated sleep apnea can prove to be harmful to your health and even has caused death. It is important to remember that the elimination of snoring may not mean you have eliminated your sleep apnea.

Snoring is caused by the vibration of the tissue in the palate. Surgery such as Sonomoplasty will tighten this tissue which will cause the snoring to be audibly reduced or eliminated. The obstruction of your throat’s airway however may still exist.

Talk with your doctor to see if they believe that this type of sleep apnea surgery will eliminate your apnea. Don’t be surprised if this surgery does not cure your sleep apnea all together, but it should reduce the number of apnea events you experience each night.

Insurance Issues

Most insurance plans will cover surgery for sleep apnea while denying surgery claims for snoring. It is important to check with your insurance provider and discuss the billing code that will be used with your doctor’s billing person. The doctor many not know the exact code that will be used so it is best to check with the billing personnel of the doctor office.

Surgery Side Effects

The vast majority of people will experience very light throat pain for a day or two from laser assisted surgery techniques after sleep apnea surgery. More traditional surgery methods to remove excess tissue and the uvula will result in more significant pain for a longer period of time, often lasting a couple of weeks.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasy

UPPP or Uvulopalatopharyngoplasy is the most common sleep apnea surgery recommended by doctors. This surgery involves the removal of uvula along with the tonsils and adenoids. The uvula is the tissue that you see hanging from the middle of the back of your mouth. The soft palate on the roof of your mouth may also have excess tissue removed. This can be accomplished with the assistance of a laser.

UPPP procedures require general anesthetics and will require a short stay in the hospital. The use of general anesthetics does complicate the surgery as the anesthesia enhances the apnea condition, including the recovery period. These are factors that you should weigh seriously in your discussion with your doctor or the surgeon.

Non-Surgical Sleep Apnea Treatments

You do have other sleep apnea treatments options that do not require surgery. These include sleep apnea devices that move your jaw forward to help open the airway.

The most popular sleep apnea treatments today is the use of sleep apnea machines which use air pressure to keep your throat and airways unobstructed while you sleep.

Which sleep apnea treatments are right for you will depend on the severity of your apnea and personal preferences.

Final Thoughts

Before you consider surgery make sure you have exhausted the other sleep apnea treatments available and have seen an ears, nose and throat specialist. Many people will also seek a second opinion from an Otolaryngologist or maxillofacial surgeon before proceeding with sleep apnea surgery. Often your insurance provider may require that you get a referral or see a specific specialist before they will authorize a particular type of sleep apnea surgery.

CPAP Sleep Apnea Machine

The original sleep apnea machine developed for people suffering from obstructive snoring was the CPAP. The CPAP machine blows a constant flow of air pressured at a fixed level that is typically determined by the sleep center after a sleep apnea test.

The air flow produced by the CPAP machine does not vary throughout the night or sleep cycle of the user. It may take a couple of days to get used to the constant flow of air, particularly when you are exhaling.

This machine is very effective in eliminating sleep apnea and snoring. The result is a restful and restorative night’s sleep for you and your partner.

The sleep center doctor will prescribe the air pressure you should set the machine to which is expressed in centimeter of water pressure. This setting is determined from the results of the sleep study.

APAP Sleep Apnea Machine

An APAP is very similar in construction to a CPAP. The difference is in the operation of the machine. These APAP machines have advanced electronics to monitor the users breathing and set the amount of air pressure accordingly.

The advantage over the CPAP is improved comfort for the user.

It is rare that a person needs the same air pressure level throughout the course of the night. As we sleep the amount of air pressure needed will vary depending on factors such as our level of fatigue, if we’ve been drinking, allergies, etc. In addition, over time our weight changes which will change the level of air pressure needed to keep the airway open.

VPAP Sleep Apnea Machine

The VPAP is more commonly called a BIPAP or Bi-level machine. Again, similar construction as a CPAP and APAP with the difference being the air pressure operation of the machine.

This type of sleep apnea machine has one air pressure setting for when you inhale and another lower air pressure setting for when you exhale.

Many users find this type of machine more comfortable than the CPAP because the lower exhale air pressure eliminates the feeling of being suffocated. This feeling goes away and can be greatly reduced by choosing the proper sleep apnea mask.

These machines also allow for a higher air pressure volume than CPAP’s and the APAPs. For people who have severe sleep apnea or have a greater throat obstruction issue t machine will allow for a better sleep therapy solutions. Because of the two distinct air pressure settings in one cycle a more complex motor is required.

Choosing a Sleep Apnea Machine

The first step is to check with your medical insurance to discover the amount of coverage and if any features are covered or excluded from your coverage. The good news is that you have a lot of choices from many manufacturers, each with several models feature selections.

Based on my experience with 3 different machines, here are the features you should look for:

A humidifier is a must if you live in a cold climate area.

Most machines have the humidifier built into the unit. The humidifier will deliver moist air which will keep your nasal passage and throat from drying out and getting irritated. There are passive and heated humidifier styles.

The sleep apnea mask is the #1 item that will determine the comfort and satisfaction of the sleep apnea machine.

Sleep apnea masks are always interchangeable between machine manufacturers and come in different styles.

I have used the standard sleep apnea face mask and still do when I am restless. My personal preference is the nose pillow style sleep apnea mask. But, it is more difficult to keep air-tight.

Both these masks use a head harness to hold the mask in place. A newer sleep apnea mask without the use of a head harness is also available.

Having a data logging chip helps your doctor or sleep technician adjust the air pressure required for proper treatment of the sleep apnea.

Power adaptability is important if you travel. Most types of sleep apnea machine have dual 120/220 ability, but you want to make sure if you travel frequently.