Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Learn How To Cure Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea Machine Side Effects

Reasons and causes for sleep apnea
There is an association with snoring and sleep apnea because it's the same muscles involved. Snoring is not as serious as apnea except when the snorer's partner gets fed up enough to bang the snorer over the head with the alarm clock as neither the snorer nor the apnea sufferer will likely be aware of their condition.
It's the muscles in the upper airway passage that aren't as strong as they should be which cause the airway to narrow and close temporarily. This causes a halt in the breathing for 10 to 25 minutes which results in a lowering of oxygen to the brain.The brain then sends out an emergency signal which arouses the person forcing a gasp of air to balance the oxygen debt. The sufferer does't necessarily wake up fully and these events can happen 300 or more times in a session.
Although the apnea sufferer may not be aware of the night-time events they may recognise symptoms such as waking up with a dry throat and mouth in the morning, headaches and sweatiness.
The muscles in the pharynx which lack muscle tone and are at the heart of the problem may be like that for one of two reasons.It may be that the physiological make-up predisposes the individual for the condition or it may be a problem that has developed due to the sufferer's lifestyle or it could be a combination of both.

Physical cause
So physiologically anyone with a mild abnormality to the facial structure which affects the passage of air is susceptible to the condition. This could mean a backset jaw or what is commonly known as an overbite, the shape of the hard palate, large tonsils, adenoids and tongue, any inherent nasal blockage as well as the general size and shape of the middle of the face and neck.

Lifestyle cause
From a lifestyle point of view obesity is the most important factor associated with apnea sufferers followed by alcohol consumption and smoking. The three big no-no's are culpable once more - not surprising really.
People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more are considered obese and more at risk from sleep apnea and if the weight distribution is centred around the waist as opposed to the hips the risk is greater.
Alcohol can reduce the activity of the upper airway and relax the muscles responsible for stopping the airway from closing. In extreme cases excessive and continuous drinking could suppress the breathing reflex. This respiratory drive can also be similarly affected by so called sleeping pills, tranquilizers and short-acting beta blockers.

Treatments for sleep apnea
For mild to severe cases of apnea it's widely accepted that the use of a continuous positive airway pressure device is the best treatment for the serious consequences of sleep apnea. As the name suggests it's a machine that generates timed air pressure via a mask keeping the upper airway open during sleep.
There are a variety of devices and masks any one of which can be fitted for your particular needs. It doesn't cure the sufferer but allows the individual to get the enormous benefits allowed to those that sleep properly. This means that he or she (more likely to be a he) won't be so at risk for conditions like high blood pressure (CPAP), heart attacks, strokes and diminished memory and intellect.
If the problem is with the structure of the jaw it's possible to get a device fitted that looks and feels like a sports mouth guard called a mandibular advancement device (MAD). This allows the lower jaw to be drawn and kept in a more forward position. It's used to treated apnea, snoring and bruxism (teeth grinding)
In mild cases lifestyle changes can be made to temper or even cure the problem so weight loss and a healthy diet with regular exercise are recommended.
Cutting down on alcohol especially before bed and quitting smoking is always a good idea. Watch the type of drugs which are used especially sedatives.
If possible sleeping on the side rather than the back may help.

Are there any other options?
There are also some more unusual techniques that are worth trying especially as they have been proven to beaffective in certain cases and are not invasive as is the case with CPAP machines.

Breathing techniques have been studied and developed that can instill in someone a breathing pattern that comes from the belly instead of short breathes made from the chest. This process helps tone the muscles of the airway.

What about singing? It seems logical that anything that strengthens the relevant muscles are going to be affective in treating apnea and although it's been shown that there is a positive link between singers, singing and the absence of apnea opinions are still divided.

Sleep apnea can be very serious and in rare cases fatal. It is more common than asthma or diabetes and it is increasingly so in the western world which may be a link to lifestyles.The most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea is the CPAP device which a lot of people find uncomfortable.
Any evidence, even anecdotal of solutions to this increasing problem would be welcomed by a huge number of sufferers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    What are the possible side effects of a cpap machine? Does anyone know any natural cures for sleep Apnea/?

    • ANSWER:
      The machine is noisy -- it might effect anyone sleeping with you. I found the mask itself to be very uncomfortable and that prevented me from sleeping until I got used to it.

  2. QUESTION:
    How can I get better relief for sleep apnea?
    I am only 25 yrs old and have sleep apnea, the obstructive form. I completed two sleep studies that have confirmed this but, medicaid will not pay for the c-pap machine b/c the score for my study reflect that it is not "severe" enough for them to pay. Now, I am using provigil as a "band-aid" its okay, but the side effects are causing me headaches and I take seasonique birth control pills, I was told there was a 5% chance of impregnation, which is low, but I still worry a little. My doctor's office was suppose to put me on a list to get a "loaner" and/or "free" c-pap machine, but I was told yesterday that this will only be considered after I start regularly seeing the doctor while I am on the provigil and still maybe not until January, if then. I am suppose to graduate form college in may, I need this sleeping disoreder corrected asap, it is effecting my life horribly and my education. Thanks serious responses only.

    • ANSWER:
      if your sleep study doctor will write a Rx for a cpap machine call home life oxygen 901 373 3503, talk with greg (owner), he might rent you a unit inexpensively by the month, or perhaps sell you a used unit for a very low price. he's worked with many sleep apnea persons. he may even have a way to get reimbursement for your need.

      self help might be useful, i.e. sleep at a forty five degree angle, try a neck flexion cushion to maintain the angle in your throat while sleeping, try using the nasal strips at night to keep your upper airways open, and lastly ask your doctor for other tips that may be very inexpensive or no expense at all.

  3. QUESTION:
    Fibromyalgia, Sleep Apnea, Chronic Fatigue, unrestorative sleep?
    I have Fibromyalgia, Sleep Apnea (which is being corrected by using a C-Pap machine at night. I also have chronic fatigue due to the fact that I never get refreshing sleep. No matter how poorly or how well I feel that I sleep, I never feel rested. I have had 3 sleep studies and the results are always the same. I definitely have Sleep Apnea with Alpha Wave intrusions. I have been on several medications to no avail. Now my new sleep specialist wants me to to try either Xyrem at night (actually the date rape drug) or Provigil during the day, which is a stimulant. I'm at my wits end. Both drugs have awful side effects and really scare me. I have Cardiomyopathy and the Provigil would be dangerous to my heart problem. The side effects of Xyrem are very scarey. I hope there is someone out there that can share their experiences with me. I am soooooooooooooooo tired. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. Help please!!!!!!!

    • ANSWER:
      Hi Skat

      You are at a breaking point I can tell. And that's usually what it takes to break one's daily pattern. Learning about the concepts below will change your health tremendously. Start making decisions for yourself by taking control of your health. It starts with water, organic food, exercise, and being thankful for all you have in your life.
      What you think about, you get more of. THis simple concept is called "The Law of Attraction". If you focus on the negative's then you get more of them. Same application applies to the positive. Feeling the positive energy in your life will change your world very quickly.

      I would do either of the following for your pain: Reiki, Healing Touch, and Therapeutic Touch, all of which can significantly improve fibromyalgia pain symptoms, and which can be taught to patients as a form of self-care, as well as being provided by professional energy healers.

      Causes of Fibromyalgia
      There is not one specific cause for primary fibromyalgia. Certain common features among fibromyalgia patients provide a better idea as to the primary factors that are involved in its onset, however. These include dental amalgam fillings, hormone imbalances, infection, neurotransmitter imbalances, sleep problems, problems with the thalamus gland, and physical trauma. Other factors that can play a role include chemical and food allergies and sensitivities, chronic stress, and dysfunctions in system.muscle metabolism.

      Conventional physicians treat fibromyalgia primarily through the use of painkiller medications. Such an approach fails to address the multiple causes of fibromyalgia, and also carries with it the risk of serious side effects. In addition, this symptom care approach is typical of conventional medicine`s failure to properly understand chronic health conditions such as fibromyalgia, which explains why it so often fails to successfully treat such conditions. Practitioners of alternative medicine, on the other hand, focus their treatment approaches on the multiple factors involved in fibromyalgia in order to eliminate them, while simultaneously stimulating the body`s ability to repair itself. What follows is an overview of some of the most common therapies they employ in order to achieve those goals

      Quick Action Plan for Fibromyalgia

      1. A healthy, whole foods diet is an important part of any fibromyaglia treatment program. Emphasize organic foods, especially fresh, organic vegetables, and drink plenty of pure, filtered water (I drink a gallon a day) throughout the day. For even more benefits, consider adopting a vegetarian diet, which has been shown to significantly reduce fibromyalgia symptoms.

      2. Essential nutrients to help treat fibromyalgia include vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinimide (vitamin B3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-an essential fatty acid), magnesium, selenium, zinc, and the lipotrophic factors inositol, methionine, and phosphatidyl choline. The nutritional supplements cetyl myristoleate and SAMe are also highly beneficial, as it the Meyers Cocktail, which must be administered by a trained health care practitioner.

      3. Herbal remedies for fibromyalgia include cayenne and chamomile. An herbal combination of tinctures of black cohosh, celery, dandelion, devil`s claw, Echinacea, and licorice in equal parts, can also be helpful.

      4. Homeopathic remedies for fibromyalgia include Arnica, Bryonia, and Rhus. Tox.

      5. Various bodywork therapies, such as Massage, Acupressure, Bowen Therapy, Feldenkrais, myotherapy, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Therapeutic Touch, and Trigger Point Therapy, can provide significant relief of fibromyalgia pain and speed healing.

      6. Mind/body medicine therapies such as biofeedback, guided imagery and visualization, hypnotherapy, and meditation, can help relieve chronic stress, thereby soothing muscle tension and reducing pain

      7. Be sure to do a colon and liver cleanse to clean out the toxins in the colon and the blood. Most important step is cleansing and detoxifying the body.

      Best of health to you

  4. QUESTION:
    Insomnia - How do I make my mind SHUT UP?
    Ok, I've tried all the common sense stuff. Excercise (but not within 6 hours of bedtime), no caffine, meditation, reading a book, chamomile tea, melatonin, etc... I've also been on Lunesta, Ambien, Seroquel (bad side effects), Trazodone, Nortryptaline...

    The problem is that I am PHYSICALLY tired, but my MIND will NOT SHUT UP!!!!!!

    I try repeatedly to "clear my mind", but I feel like I have a tiny motor running in my brain that I can't turn off. My whole life I've always had difficulty getting to sleep, but for the past few months, I've been operating on only about 4-6 hours per night, and I'm tired and "zoned out" during the day.

    I've also done a sleep study at the sleep clinic. They found mild sleep apnea and I've tried a CPAP machine, but it only adds to the aggravation of trying to fall asleep.

    I have moderate restless leg syndrome as well, but Requip and Mirapex do NOTHING, neither did the Lunesta or Ambien.

    It's like I'm immune to medication.

    Any other ideas?

    • ANSWER:
      The first thing you need to do is start using the c-pap again. Then ask for a referal to a psychologist or psych doc to get help for your problem. My daughter and I both suffer from this and yes it is annoying. What works best for me is a soak in a warm tub with the lights out and just a nightlight on or a candle in the bathroom. I sit and soak with my eyes closed until my brain slows down enough to allow me to crawl into bed. SInce you have a diagnosis of sleep apnea even mild you need to use the machine. If you were using a mask and didn't like that try the nasal pillows and see if that works better for you. Also for the restless leg syndrome be sure you are getting enough calcium and consider trying some quinine for it. Good Luck.

  5. QUESTION:
    Do anti depressants really work?
    okay i have been damn near depressed ever since 2009 because i was sexually assaulted...i was diagnosed with PTSD..i was first prescribed Paxil,I hated it..then i was prescribed Zoloft,never even filled the prescription because i was too scared of the effects.So what i am asking you guys is like what is the best medication,with less side effects.And i heard that you have nightmares while taking anti depressants,will the nightmares be scary enough to kill me in my sleep or something and will it affect my sleeping because i sleep with a machine i have sleep apnea..will it affect that in any way? I'm just so scared because i really do wanna get better and i been so scared that i wont be able to live to see my graduation which is June 2012 can someone please give me some advice and recommend some medicine that will be the best choice PLEASE and No Mean answers thank you
    Okay another question..If u work out and eat right will you still gain weight from the pills??? SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER THIS? Please&Thank u

    • ANSWER:
      For most people facing anxiety and or depression such medications can help. The trick is finding the right dosage and taking them as directed so you and your physician can figure out what works for you. Hang in there.

  6. QUESTION:
    Yuck...I'm having surgery...?
    In March I'm having UPPP surgery. It stands for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, and it's throat surgery. I'm having this in hopes to cure my sleep apnea (it's really severe--I'm not overweight, but I have a lot of excess throat tissue--it's a genetic defect). They will be taking out my tonsils as well as the remains of my adenoids (I originally had them removed when I was 6, but they grew back partially). They will also trim my soft palate and remove most of my uvula.

    I've talked this over with three different doctors and all think that this is a good thing to do, as do I. The drawback is that it's only a 50-50 chance at curing me, otherwise I'll have to use a BiPAP machine for the rest of my life.

    What are some possible side effects from this, if you know someone who has had it? I've been warned by each doctor that the recovery period is a minimum of two weeks and it can easily be 2 months before I'm back to normal...
    Okay, thanks. I'm 17 if it helps.

    • ANSWER:
      My friend had this a few years ago. The pain the few few days was bad. Any motion caused pain and that's hard to avoid! (swallowing and such) You are also on total voice rest, I believe, for the first few days after surgery for the same reason. My friend later developed a granuloma at the surgical site that led to more voice rest and down-time. All that said she's glad she had it done.


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