Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition which causes the airways to narrow during the overnight hours. As a result, it can be difficult for the body to obtain the oxygen that it requires to function properly.
Sleep apnea has three levels of severity (mild, moderate or severe) and this is based upon the number of “apnea” episodes occurring each hour – which are pauses in breathing….
If you have sleep apnea, there’s a good chance you also have Type 2 diabetes – and being overweight is a risk factor for both conditions. With diabetes, it’s important to keep blood sugar (glucose) levels under control – or risk damaging inflammation to vital blood vessels, nerves and organs.
A fingerstick has long been the traditional method to monitor blood sugar levels for diabetics. However, the advent of CGM for diabetes means you can now continuously monitor glucose levels rather than rely on a single fixed reading from a fingerstick. …
A continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP device is recognized as the best method for controlling obstructive sleep apnea. These devices work by delivering air under a set pressure to the nose and/or mouth during sleep and this pressurized air forces the air passage to remain open and unobstructed during sleep.
However, as this necessitates wearing a mask and tubing, it can be difficult to become accustomed to. Over time, a sleep apnea sufferer learns how to get used to a CPAP machine – but it takes patience….
There can be a higher risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) for those people with a larger neck size. This is, of course, not always the case but it can play a role if any form of sleep apnea is suspected.
Sleep experts believe that any neck circumference greater than 17 inches for males — or 16 inches for females — can play a role in the onset of obstructive sleep apnea. …
Anyone who has grappled with the ongoing effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is already aware that periods of nasal congestion can lead to even more frustration.
Even though these two conditions are not necessarily related, when you suffer from both it can certainly make sleep more difficult. …
The health risks from smoking have been well publicized for many years. However, the impact of smoking on the quality of your sleep could be another reason to leave cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and vapes alone.
Studies show how smoking may increase the risk of sleep problems by up to 50%. It could also be a contributing factor in sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
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There are a few ways in which obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be treated — and the use of a PAP (positive airway pressure) device is by far the most common, and typically the most effective.
While these devices can indeed provide an incredible amount of relief, they may only represent part of the equation….
The impact of poor-quality sleep can go far beyond feeling fatigued during the day. A sleep disorder such as sleep apnea increases the risk of developing serious health issues including type 2 diabetes. Obesity is a contributing risk factor for both sleep apnea and diabetes.
What Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by an obstruction to the airways as the tissues in the throat relax while you sleep. The tissues collapse to narrow or block the airways leading to breathing difficulties….
Many people have sleep apnea yet they don’t know it. They put up with daytime fatigue, can’t concentrate, or even drift off while driving. They never feel rested, despite the number of hours they spend sleeping. They snore so loudly, yet don’t realize it’s a major sign of sleep apnea.
It’s a real risk, having sleep apnea, as the lack of sleep contributes to heart disease and diabetes – and to serious car accidents — yet people often don’t hear much about this condition. …
