Sleep Apneia

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   How do you clean a CPAP Machine, that is for Sleep Apneia?
   I have sleep Apenia, and have had a machine since March....I use distilled water for where it holds the water stuff. I haven't cleaned it, but a couple days ago I noticed like red blobs in the water in my machine that holds the distilled water and stuff. I am assuming thats a bad thing....what is that stuff? Also, I don't remember how to clean the machine, you just soak it in warm water and soap right? Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks guys!
   ~Christine

   • ANSWER:
     To clean a CPAP mask, take the mask apart and apply a small amount of baby shampoo to your fingers. Allow the mask parts to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Wash thoroughly with water to remove all soap. Place the wet mask parts on a towel and allow to air dry. This should be done daily.

     To disinfect hoses, and humidifier water chambers, use one part vinegar, to three parts water. Let the mask soak for 10 to 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, and place on a towel or over the shower rod to dry. These methods do not require any special chemicals.

     The only care the machines require is that you clean or change the filters in the back of the machines to keep the internal parts from accumulating dust.

2. QUESTION:
   Will chewing tobacco cause a 59 year old man with high blood pressure and sleep apneia to be impotent?
   This is not a joke! My husband seems to think the tobacco has nothing to do with his problems.

   • ANSWER:
     Chewing the tobacco may not cause impotency, the other things wrong with him may. Best thing is to consult a doctor and get professional help.

     By the way, chewing the tobacco can cause mouth cancer, lip cancer, throat cancer and stomach cancer besides stained teeth, smelly breath and foul tasting lips. Perhaps that's adding to his unattractiveness and, by you, unconscious rejection that he feels and thus gets a sense of inadequacy and ... suddenly ... Impotence!

3. QUESTION:
   can I take flomax if I have sleep apneia?

   • ANSWER:
     I checked my references and I don't think this should be a problem. None of them mentioned problems with this kind of thing.

4. QUESTION:
   night sweats SOMETIMES can you help sleep apnea?
   Ok i have night sweats about every other night. There not the night sweats that i read about other people having. My whole body dont sweat, its just my head. My pillow will be wet from my head sweating. The rest of my body dosent sweat. The night sweats just started about 4 months ago. I havent had a dreadfull HIV test but im pretty certain that i dont have it being the fact that im married and havent slept with another women in 6 years. Ive been tested before that and i was ok. I have a son and of course he dont have it and neither does she...so lets leave that out.....the only thing i can think of is that i think i have sleep apneia (spelling)....Do you sweat when you have sleep apnea

   • ANSWER:

5. QUESTION:
   Can too much beer cause snoring?
   I dont drink often but when i do for instance if i drink heavily (6-pack or more) i notice that i snore...sometimes loud enough to wake myself up! and sometimes my girlfriend says i stop breathing momentarily!!...im a pretty healthy 28yr old guy, but does too much beer cause snoring/ sleep apneia? (<--spelling?) thanks!

   • ANSWER:
     Yup. My husband sounds like a truck after he's had a big night.

6. QUESTION:
   Urgent - Throat Muscles Closing - Need some advice?
   My husbands throat muscles keep closing up whenever he's almost asleep. He has copd and sleep apneia and we need some advice on how to keep them from closing.

   • ANSWER:
     I had that problem, went to a "sleep" doctor and got a a machine that keeps my airway open. It really made a difference in my life.

7. QUESTION:
   Is Restless Leg Syndrome the Beginning of Something Else ? What?
   I am seeing a neurologist since 2002 after a blood clot on the brain and surgery. At the same time a tumor was found on the other side of the brain. It is still there.To prevent more seizures after this surgery I am taking Zonegran 100 MG capsule, 3 a day.
   In the past year I have been bothered by leg mostly and body jerks at night when I am trying to sleepand relax. My neourologist has recently put me on Mirapex 0.25 MG Tablet for restless leg syndrome. What do you see this as the beginning of.??? My mouth is so dry. Please give me any info or personal thoughts you have. I also have Sleep Apneia & use a sleep machine.
   I consider myself a young active 76 year old ~~~Please Help ???
   I typed the medication Mirapex into Google and found loads of information. My fear is that since this drug is used for Parkingsons that RLS might be leading to that. Thanks everone for trying to help me. I so appreciate this site and its helpful members.

   • ANSWER:
     I don't know if you MD explained but RLS is a neurological issue. Not a serious issue but it has something to do with the brain. I've tried meds but they make me sick to my stomach, I'm 24 and I can't remember when I've been able to sleep without moving my legs. Hopefully, It isn't the start of anything.

8. QUESTION:
   What are good remedies for,?
   Lower back problem, sleep apneia, high blood pressure and depression? I'm overwieght about 30 lbs. but always had sleep apneia problems even when skinny. I work a job that I'm always bending over and can be stressful. I'm tired of all the pills I take and want something different. Please help.

   • ANSWER:
     Hypertension is prevalent in patients with OSA, although the exact relationship is unclear. It has been shown, however, that treating OSA can modestly lower blood pressure.

     Recommendations Sleep Apnea:

     1.Alcohol Avoidance - Alcohol is useful for relaxation but unfortunately it also relaxes the throat muscles and provokes snoring and obstructive apneas. Alcohol or sedative use near bedtime may thus further depress breathing mechanisms.

     2.Weight Loss - SA and snoring thought to be caused by excessive weight may be curtailed by a sensible weight loss and exercise program.

     3.Physical Supports and Devices - Although every patient is treated individually, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment. It is simple, safe, effective, and non-invasive. CPAP treats Obstructive Sleep Apnea by providing a gentle flow of positive-pressure air through a mask to help keep the airway open during sleep. It stops the snoring, restores restful sleep, improves the quality of life, and reduces risk of heart complications.

     4.Peppermint Oil - Steam inhalation of essential oils of eucalyptus blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) or peppermint (Mentha piperata) can relieve congestion and thus improve snoring in some cases.

     5.Posture Improvement - SA usually worsens when an individual sleeps on his or her back, so sleeping on your side may alleviate the problem. Those who have difficulty staying in a side-sleeping position may find sleeping with pillows behind them helps them maintain the position longer.

     6. MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) tablet:
     Get from a Natural/Health store. This supplement is also useful for back problem.
     A typical starting recommendation is 250mg per day, increasing to an average therapeutic dose of about 2gm per day.

     7.Drink lots of water to maintain optimal hydration for disc integrity, and help reduce any acid buildup in muscles. Often two large glasses of water helps within minutes. Consistent rehydration may eliminate and prevent future low back pain.

     8.Bromelain - take 500mg, 3/day, between meals.

9. QUESTION:
   Help with yawning!?
   Help, Im yawning about 100-150 times a day and about 20 times in a 30 min span!!!! I am getting to bed very good time, But I dont get enough sleep and it's impossible for me to get enough sleep iI have dumb sleep apneia, 2 docters say i have the biggest adnoids they have ever seen and big tonsils and Im not getting those out till Good Friday in March! HELP how do i stop yawning. Im 12 years old! One more thing i wake up in a click of a mouse thats how light sleeper i am one click of a mouse I hear pop im up! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   • ANSWER:
     Since you have already seeked out medical help, and got a diagnosis from 2 doctors i would say... ask about a medication after your tonsils are out, one that makes you go to sleep fast, then the second half of pill helps you stay asleep. youre yawning because youre not getting GOOD sleep, it doesnt matter how long you lay in bed.

10. QUESTION:
    Chest discomfort ? related to anxiety or more serious?
    Okay so the obvious answer I know is to go to the doctor, I lost my healthcard so am currently awaiting a new one in the mail... So since i've been about 17 I have had these on going anxiety attacks, at first I thought it was sleep apneia, and its never been clearly diagnoised but I'm sure they are anxiety panic attacks... I feel like I cant breathe, I'm in fear that I'm dying... Its a burden because It keeps me awake at night and sometimes I wake up in a panic and feel like I cant breathe...

    Lately its been worse. I have had weird chest discomfort...the part of my body thats its on is the top corner of my left breast... I don't think its right where my heart is.. when I apply pressure to the part that "hurts" (its not actually pain its more discomfort) it feels a little better... sometimes I rub and apply deep pressure it makes its feel better but the discomfort does not go away.... sometimes I wake up with these pain and then I feel like I can't breathe...
    I'm a smoker I ahve been for 10 years.. (I'm 23) I am a heavy drinker.. (2 times a week I'll drink with friends socially, but I can drink a lot and somtimes its more than 2 times a week)... I find when I drink I don't get these chest problems and can sleep through the night... the discomfort doesn't only occur when I am asleep it happens randomly... I feel like its anxiety because when I pass out after a night of partying I don't feel them... I'm about 60lbs overweight too so I'm not really in great health... I had my last full physcial september 2009 and was in fine condition... so was just wondering if anyone had any short term answers or suggestions (other than seek medical help, stop smoking etc..) I know I need to make lifestyle changes but just curious if anyone else has expierenced these weird pains??

    • ANSWER:
      My worst panic attacks were happening in the car - always in the morning on the way to work at one particular place. Since practicing the One Move technique I feel I look forward to driving again. I am not afraid anymore of having an attack - which is extraordinary!

      I want you to experience the freedom from your panic attacks that I now enjoy. Please, for your own sake , visit this site - http://lets-start-over.com/PanicAway

      Wishing you the best!

11. QUESTION:
    My boyfriend is overweight, snores, has high BP... how can I convince him to see a doctor?
    I love him completely and his size is not an issue. My concern is his health! He refuses to see a doctor and has no good excuse as to why he is afraid to go. He's overweight, sneaks food (especially candy), over eats, has high blood pressure (not on meds), snores, sleep apneia, a mouth breather when awake and always seems to have labored breath.

    I am trying to convince him to go to the doctor and he makes a joke of it or tries to change the subject. It breaks my heart that he doesn't see the seriousness in his condition an only FEEDS his problem. I have even gone to lengths of telling him that he is giving himself a death sentence in continuing to live in the manner in which he does and have told them that he is a walking time bomb. I have tried to be compassionate since I know overeating can be an addiction and very difficult to battle. Still it has been months and he still refuses to see a doc.

    Please be nice...God don't like ugly!
    I have recorded his snoring episodes and he has listened to it...he makes a joke of it!

    • ANSWER:
      Motivation is key, and it seems HE has to have an interest, as opposed to doing it for YOU...I recommend exposing yourself & him to health education, preferably dvds, audio cds, even youtube & Dr.Oz on Oprah is not too baad ..If he would be willing to sit through it!
      These could inspire him to see the result of bad health decisions as well as inspire him to change.
      Also both of you attending health workshops and/or a few classes re: health, and have it be a partnership thing..There's always ways WE can better our health as well.. This way, it's not a just HIM thing...I agree with substituting the sugars & salts etc..(See a nutritionist, homeo or naturopath):
      And why not set up a secret appointment w/ a health care professional prior to a nice healthy dinner, with some trimmings of course.
      And last but not least enjoy your self to happy health!-Br.Kofi (T.O.)

12. QUESTION:
    Could this be Inherited Muscular dystrophy?
    My Grandma in Canada has this. Could I have it, from these symptoms?
    I have been stiff ever since I was in T-Ball (this was back in 1st Grade) Now I in 6th. I have Weakness, Sleep apneia (poor airway), slow motor skills, waddling, feet go out, use of hands when get up from couch, hard to go DOWN stairs than to go up, both both are hard. mental / self esteem problems, Back pain, speech delay, and gastrointestinal (stomach) problems. I have been in 3 psychiatric hospitals and several Emergency Rooms. Could this be Muscular Dystrophy?
    Thank You, for ANY help in advance!!!

    • ANSWER:
      I will take a shot at this but please remember asking this kind of a question here is fraught with inherent risk. While I agree you should do as much research as you possibly can you must be guided by a medical professional. We can not possibly answer your main question. However there is much information online regarding the inheritance issue. I will include several links. I must insist though that you seek professional advice for all the aforementioned signs and symptoms you've given. Best of luck.

      http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/assets/0000/7839/Inheritance.pdf

      http://www.muscular-dystrophy.org/how_we_help_you/care_publications/655

      http://www.cureresearch.com/d/duchennemd/inherit.htm

      http://www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/Muscular_dystrophy

13. QUESTION:
    Please help, I need a Mental Facility?
    I have OCD, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and many other NOS personality disorders. My whole life has been nothing but hell and my whole family has kept an unhealthy cycle of abuse and pain both outwards onto others and self mutilation (mental and physical) I have a daughter that is a year and a half, I need to end this cycle and get my life on track but I need to fix me first. I have trust issues, and a lot of suppressed memories. I am an adult victim of child abuse. I was raped when i was a teenager. I need help desperately so I can step up for my daughter. I don't care where in the United States the place is, but I want the best (that can be covered by unitedhealthcare or have payment plans) also I am a smoker and would like it if they allowed smoking or have smoke breaks. Also I am open to hypnosis, and encourage that method in the program (due to suppressed memories) Please, please help me stop this cycle and stop the pain. I don't want my daughter to ever have to go through a fraction of what i have experienced.

    NOW THE LONG PART:
    If you need more details keep reading

    I'm 21 I don't know what i am supposed to do really. I don't have a Dr or therapist or anything, due to such a terrible childhood i am ignorant and trying to do it all on my own. I need help soon and a therapist once a week is just too long a wait. I need a safe environment to be able to deal with these things, because talking to someone for an hour, getting those feelings then getting sent home while all those bad thoughts are exposed is not a good thing for me. I can suppress them for a few more weeks, but thats about all i can do.
    My story: My parents divorced when i was an infant after my father abused my mother constantly in front of me. My grandmother manipulated my mother, destroying her life (after them BOTH having just as hard as a life as i am having, if not ten times worse on my mothers part) and taking me and my sister, my sister was taken from my life and I didnt see her again until she was 18 and messed up on so many drugs and in so much of a mess she ended up disappearing shortly after as well, just long enough to break my moms heart. I was raised with my little cousin, born about the same time all the seperation happened and raised as a grandchild of my grandmother - my stepgrandfather (raised with him as my grandpa) Is deaf has sleep apneia diebeties etc and my grandmother ignores it, she wont go for help but she is severely mental, she raised 9 brothers and sisters two kids and was married 4 times, the first died in war after leaving her pregnant, the second with years of both physical and mental abuse as well as raping my mother shot himself within earshot of my mom when she was 16, my gpa used to be a hellfire, but after i was in the household became a good old southern baptist and basically became a potato, my gma rules the family with intense control issues and still messes with my mom's head more than anything else. When i was a child it started as mental and physical abuse, that i thought was NORMAL most of my life. I protected my little cousin from the worst by taking the blame and standing up for her and myself. when i was 7 during a beating i told my gma to keep going, through my tears, until she went smack off crazy and broke down. My mother was in and out of my life my father never in it, but my mom fought to be in my life and as an adult we have a good relationship. I have a few pieces missing of my life about that time and on my 9th birthday i started my cycle and was called a pimply whore for the next 10+ years, along with many other things, I was a genius with a very passionate creative spark, I was picked on and severely bullied at school only to come home to hell, my grades dropped after my freshman year of highschool, when i was 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, and 20 I attempted suicide. hanging, suffocation, drowning, cutting, pills, poison, etc. in highschool i was put in the spotlight and everything got worse. I ended up making a friend I thought i could trust and he raped me a week later. I was ignorant and ashamed and didnt tell anyone for six months, luckily i didnt get pregnant, but i was constantly stuck between shaking from being so terrified and guilty, and kicking everyone's *** here to kingdom come, I graduated highschool, only a month late due to a single class in summer school but i still walked with my class. I ended up losing someone i loved to the military, jumping into a relationship because my gma suggested it and marrying him a month later. he went to college and I never slept, I worked a full time joband was his maid/perfect housewife the rest, I was mentally abused at first then physically we found out i was pregnant and he left me, near the end of the pregnancy, it was either get back with him or stay at my gmas, i chose him. I had several complications with the pregnancy and almost died during labor, i came back in a week later due to toximia, and was mistreated
    a shell mearly takeing care of my daughter and slaving for my husband. He said new start and i went with it, he bought the ticket packed my bags and sent me to the middle of nowhere then served me with divorce papers, i got my money up by working a part time job in a town that litterally only had a bar a gas station and where i worked, along with a post office and a trailer park. I got home only to live with my grandmother again, he had taken my daughter and his grandmother has been taking care of her since, he has violated every parental right of mine and even with the divorce finalized and parenting plan in place, it is ignored. his gma pays off most of the people in that town and my gma pulls strings for them so she can see my daughter. I tried going to college and tried making a few friends to help me through, i have three friends, and only one is really there for me. I had to drop out of college, am dealing with child support, have only my mom trying her damnedest to help me, but
    *I became a shell merely... (put this at the begining of additional details )
    Thank you, but I am a pretty strong person (going through all this and still going) I would like to get it all done at once, or at least consecutively. as for therapy I will copy something down from what i have already written "I need help soon and a therapist once a week is just too long a wait. I need a safe environment to be able to deal with these things, because talking to someone for an hour, getting those feelings then getting sent home while all those bad thoughts are exposed is not a good thing for me." Let me state again, thank you and let you know that I do appreciate your help.

    • ANSWER:
      You've had some difficult experiences and it takes courage and even commitment to share it with others. A psychiatric facility may or may not be the right environment to begin to deal with your pain and cycle of self destructive behavior. This is really something you need to discuss with a metal health care professional. It's entirely possible you could experience some improvement by seeing a therapist regularly. Since you have many things going on it might be useful to pick one or two that cause you the most distress and start there. If you you try to tackle it all at once it might be too overwhelming. As is often the case with medical issues the best advice is to see a health care provider and make an informed decision.

14. QUESTION:
    When should I start to take my babies pacifier away?
    My baby is 9 mo. today and I was wondering when I should take her pacifier away from her and get her used to going to sleep without it. I never wanted to give her a pacifier in the first place, but when she was five days old she ended up going into the NICU for a week due to apneia and because the nurses had three babies each to take care of gave all the babies pacifiers to keep them calm. I was angry. But that is the past and now she is pretty attached and it is part of her going to sleep routine along with a special blanket. She does not wake up alot for it and pretty much only needs it when she is getting ready to go to sleep. I just don't want to wait to long and hope I havn't already.

    • ANSWER:
      I started the process when my daughter was 1. I didn't want her teeth to be crooked. She was very attached to it though. I started by just letting her have it during bedtime only, not during the day at all. She did pretty well. I kept telling her that I didn't know where it was. She had withdrawls for a few days, less than a week. Then, she just forgot about it. You just have to be strong though because if you give it back you'll just be back to day 1 again.

15. QUESTION:
    When should I start to take my babies pacifier away?
    My baby is 9 mo. today and I was wondering when I should take her pacifier away from her and get her used to going to sleep without it. I never wanted to give her a pacifier in the first place, but when she was five days old she ended up going into the NICU for a week due to apneia and because the nurses had three babies each to take care of gave all the babies pacifiers to keep them calm. I was angry. But that is the past and now she is pretty attached and it is part of her going to sleep routine along with a special blanket. She does not wake up alot for it and pretty much only needs it when she is getting ready to go to sleep. I just don't want to wait to long and hope I havn't already.

    • ANSWER:
      I had someone tell me to do it before 12 months as it is easier. I let them have it (for bed only) till they were 2.5. It was a rough couple of days but it was worth it. But my advice is around the 1st bday

16. QUESTION:
    When should I start to take my babies pacifier away?
    My baby is 9 mo. today and I was wondering when I should take her pacifier away from her and get her used to going to sleep without it. I never wanted to give her a pacifier in the first place, but when she was five days old she ended up going into the NICU for a week due to apneia and because the nurses had three babies each to take care of gave all the babies pacifiers to keep them calm. I was angry. But that is the past and now she is pretty attached and it is part of her going to sleep routine along with a special blanket. She does not wake up alot for it and pretty much only needs it when she is getting ready to go to sleep. I just don't want to wait to long and hope I havn't already.
    When I asked about the pacifier for my baby the answer was that it calms her. Along with apniea she was jondaice and cried alot.

    • ANSWER:
      Just give it to her as a last resort. She's too young to have a comfort item ripped away from her when she can't understand why. If she isn't Needing it, just don't give it. Try other methods of comforting her to sleep or distracting her first. Try a warm bath and singing etc. Establish routines that are just as comforting to her as the pacifier would be. Or try giving it to her until she calms, then slipping it out before she's fully asleep (which may not be possible!), or slip it out just after she falls asleep so at least it's not doing her any harm.

      Hope you work it out! Good luck!