Sleep or night apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders today. The reasons sleeper's apnea is becoming more prevalent are simple; as a society, we are generally overweight and do not maintain good sleep habits.
Sleep disorders like apnea and chronic snoring during sleep are caused by a blocked airway during sleep. The soft palette blocks the back of the throat cutting off the airway. This causes mild to severe snoring. In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, a person breathing actually stops- a very dangerous health condition.
It is not a good idea to simply live with snoring or sleep apnea. If you are suffering from these conditions, you are not getting healthy sleep - and the oxygen deprivation caused by snoring and is very hard on your internal organs, particularly your heart. The cells of your organs - like the muscle cells in your heart need oxygen to stay healthy.
Depriving your body of oxygen during the night is bad for sleep and bad for the health of your internal organs. This is the number one reason that you should not ignore snoring and sleep apnea. Fortunately, there are sleep apnea devices that can really help.
There are many sleep apnea devices that can be used to treat the symptoms of sleep apnea and chronic snoring. A CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure machine (sometimes called an apnea machine) provides continuous positive air flow through the use of a pressurized mask. A CPAP device cannot be purchased without a prescription from a doctor, but is a good treatment for sleep apnea.
A device that works for some is the chin strap, or snoring strap - a device that is worn over the jaw and keeps the jaw pulled forward and forces the sleeper to breathe though the nose. The theory is that this keeps the airway open. While the effectiveness of this device is questionable, it does seem to work for some.
Another device that some find helpful is a back pillow - a device that you wear on your back that prevents you from sleeping on your back - you must sleep on your side or stomach. This type of device may be somewhat effective, but surely are not very comfortable and would not appeal to most sleepers.
A snore pillow, or apnea pillow is a good, first-try type of apnea device that can really help in the treatment of sleep apnea, for those with mild to moderate apnea. The pillows work by adjusting the position of the head to minimize the blocking of the airway. The sleep apnea pillow devices come in a variety of sizes and shapes and can really help those suffering from mild to moderate snoring and / or sleep apnea.
Snore pillows are made of memory foam, and typically have a dished or curved shape that cradles the head in a straight alignment - this helps to keep the airway open and minimize the symptoms of sleep apnea and /or heavy snoring while you sleep.
There are many devices available that will minimize the effects of sleeper's apnea or being a snorer. For your good health, it is important that you take action to get better sleep and keep yourself healthy.
