my wife is on a C-PAP machine and 2 liters of O2 but she still stops breathing,i lisens to her breathing ever night, i don't get much sleep.How is Sleep Apnea treated?
128259
I assume she has had a sleep study done on her. if the doctor recommended c-pap or what I use bi-pap, doesn't do the trick, you should ask if surgery is an option.
41382
Hi!! I can MORE than adequately answer your question.\nI have been a Registered Respiratory Therapist for 13 years. There are several reasons why people snore. \n\nOne of these reasons is because you may have what is known as a deviated nasal septum, which can sometimes be severe enough to require nose surgery to correct this problem. You can test yourself for this at home.\n\nPlug ONE of your nostrils, and try to breath in and out through the open nostril. Do this with BOTH nostrils. This will rule out a deviated nasal septum. \n\nYou may very likely have what is known as SLEEP APNEA!! I've worked with many patients who Literally STOP BREATHING for a certain amount of time, (usually just seconds,) intermitantly during sleep!! You may stop breathing for a few seconds, then silence, then suddenly your body will react buy a GASPING for air kind of noise. This is not just snoring, this is a REAL PROBLEM, depending on how LONG you stop breathing.\n\nThis APNEA can be caused by an Obstruction withing the nasal area, such as a deviated nasal septum. It can also be caused by obesity, or it can be inherited. \n\nYou need to go see either a LUNG Doctor, (Pulmonologist,) or and Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, and get x-rays to determine if you have an anatomical problem blocking your airway during sleep. You may also notice that you will wake up with HEADACHES alot in the morning, even Migraines!! Thise is caused by a Lack of Oxygen to the brain, caused by just a FEW SECONDS of NOT BREATHING!! \n\nGet it checked out, but be careful NOT to hurry into Surgery, alot of times nasal surgeries will help the problem for a WHILE, but it is usually not permanent.\n\nIF you are diagnosed with Sleep Apnea, your Doctor may want you to wear a type of "mask", nasal inserts, (not permanent,) or a device that actually goes into your mouth to keep your tongue from rolling back and blocking your airway better. NO..........PEOPLE CANNOT SWALLOW THIER TONGUES!!! But the tongue can roll back and block your airway.\n\nAnother option I just learned about last year is that you can go to a VERY GOOD orthodontist who specializes in making a MOLD to fit inside your mouth at night, it is designed to lift your jaw up and out a bit, (it isn't uncomfortable,) and this position ALONE will ultimately keep your airway open, without having having to deal with a CPAP machine. CPAP machines are used with the items I mentioned above, and is either a constant flow of Positive Airway pressure to keep your airway open AND helps to expand smaller airways deeper inside the lungs and keep them OPEN the whole time you are sleeping!! \n\nMake sure to get this checked out asap, because every second you do not breath at night, you wouldn't believe how many brain cells are killed because of not getting enough oxgyen. \n\nYOu can also try sleeping on your side, either side, this helps to keep the tongue out of the way as well.\n\nCall you family Doctor and discuss how you feel. If you do not have a significant other that sleeps next to you, you can tape yourself while you sleep to see if you DO stop breathing. \n\nBut don't wait...............go see your family doctor NOW anyway. Snoring is not normal, and usually needs to be treated in some way. Okay???\n\nPromise you will make an appointment to see your doctor!!!!!\nIf you are a smoker, STOP IT RIGHT NOW!! \n\nI hope this helps you out!! \n\nTake care, and God Bless.\n\nStefanie
589197
I did 60 treatments of HBO (hyperbaric oxygen).  Each one was 2 hours long.  I am a brain cancer survivor and it helped to rid me of a particular type of seizure that I was experiencing.  There were many mouth, throat, and tongue cancer patients getting the treatment when I was.  I don't know anything about how it affected them, but I do know that it is now considered malpractice for a doctor to treat a patient for cancer of the mouth/throat/tongue and NOT refer them for HBO.  Glad to hear that it helped you.
208611
I was always tired and could not figure out why and then was sent for a sleep study and found I had sleep apnea.  When they finally put the mask on me and I went to sleep, something I thought I was doing at home, I slept better than I had in years and that couple of hours on that machine was fantastic.  I could not believe the difference.  Then it was explained to me what was happening.  I was not conscious of it but was waking many times every hour so did not get the deep sleep I needed, thus I was always worn out.  When I got my machine, I slept like a baby and was not so tired any more.  I found that those that have apnea can have more chance of heart attack, stroke, and all sorts of nasty things that can cause you to die as you are not breathing as you should, nor are you getting the rest you need so eventually it can kill.  So are they worth it?  You bet!!!  The machines are very expensive but well worth having.  I have had one for over ten years now and sleep very well where before I got it was worn out all the time.  What is a good nights sleep and good health worth to you?  If I had it to do over again I would do it earlier so I think it is very worthwhile doing the study.  Good luck.  Sweet dreams!!!
510580
I haven't seen the TV ads, but most snoring requires more than throat rinses, nose strips, etc, although you can get him some of the rinse and see if it works - I'm dubious.\n\nSnoring can be a symptom of a very serious disorder called sleep apnea, which can, if untreated, lead to heart damage and even death. \n\nIf you snore softly once in a while, then this is probably not apnea, but if you shake the house, snore like a bear, and drive your spouse to the guest bedroom, then apnea is a distinct probability. Sounds like your husband is in the second group, so he needs medical help, not poking, smothering, or kicking!\n\nApnea is usually treated with the use of a device called a CPAP. He can't just buy one of these - they are sold only on prescription, as the pressure needs to be adjusted to his individual needs, with too high pressure being as dangerous as too low. CPAP stops snoring 100% and usually makes the patient feel generally more energetic and alert during the day as well.\n\nPlease get him to ask his doctor to refer him to a sleep clinic right away. They usually have a long waiting list, and it's important to get the process started ASAP.
3510
I think this is one of those "no news is good news" kind of things.  As a fellow sufferer, I know that the pressure setting on your CPAP was prescribed by your doctor based on the resuslts of your sleep lab experience.  As long as the machine is providing the desired results (no snoring or apnea), then I'm pretty sure nothing else need be done.  Obviously, you need to maintain the filters--clean or replace, as the case may be.
602119
There are a ton of possible reasons. Your best bet is to have your doctor schedule a sleep study for you. They monitor your breathing, leg movements, blood pressure and a lot of other things so they can narrow it down for you. If you have gained weight you might have started to develop apnea. I know of a few people that happened to and a cpap machine took care of it right away.
450024
FIRST OF ALL YOU HAVE TO GET USE TO THE MACHINE AND YOU CANNOT IF YOU DO NOT KEEP IT ON!  YOU WILL GET USE TO IT I PROMISE YOU!\n\nLOOK KIDDO I AM 61 YEARS OLD AND 2 YEARS AGO I HAD TO GET ONE INFLICTED ON ME AND I DID NOT APPRECIATE IT AT FIRST!   NOW I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE THING!  GET OVER IT!!\n\nIT IS A WONDERFUL DEVICE THERE ARE MANY THINGS I HATED THE MASK I NOW USE A THING THAT GOES IN MY NOSE!  FOR GOD SAKES USE IT !  IF I HAD THE THING WHEN I WAS 35 HOLY SNOGGRASS  WHAT I COULD OF ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!\n\nJUST SUCK IT UP!  DO NOT BE A WOOSE .... THAT IS THE BEST FRIEND YOU HAVE IN THE WORLD LEARN TO LOVE IT!\n\nSTOP WHINING LIKE A BABY     MY GOD!\n\nPLEASE USE IT I SWEAR YOU WILL LOVE THE THING!!!!!\n\nIF YOU HAVE PRESSURE EXTRA HIGH THERE ARE MACHINES THAT ARE EASIER ON YOU CALLED BIPAP WHICH LOWER THE PRESSURE WHEN YOU EXHALE IF THAT IS THE PROBLEM.\n\nIT TAKES AT LEAST 6 TO 8 WEEKS TO GET USED TO ONE OF THE THINGS I TOOK MINE OFF DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AT FIRST IN MY SLEEP ALSO BUT I KEPT WITH IT!\n\n\nAPS\n\nLet me add this:\nTwo years ago I had a simple operation and was under anesthesia and simply stopped breathing for a minute or so ,,, you know some doctors call it DEATH . After they revived me and I escaped the hospital within the month I went to a SLEEP CLINIC for an evaluation! My wife had been telling me for years that I had breathed funny but I ignored her ... just could not ignore DEATH! Anyway anyhow in one night they checked me as to how I did sleep. What bothered my sleep. The next session a few weeks later I was tested for the setting of the CPAP machine the ideal pressure for it for me to have the ideal sleep.\n\nWe sleep in six levels of sleep one thru five our body is asleep but our brain only sleeps on level six or REM for rapid eye movement. See it was like this for me. I would get into REM my body was on automatic but my auto breath would fail somehow .... oxygen would get low the brain would drop out of REM and make the lungs gasp for air ... then would gradually go back to REM During the night at the lab this happened 20 times! And I got to meet another disturber of mr REM it was my leg twitch which I have RLS restless leg syndrome it disturbs the REM pattern of sleep also!\n\nI used to have a high pressure job in Shipbuilding and I would grit my teeth during my sleep from work problems.. that disturbs REM I found out!\n\nIt is the quality of sleep not the quantity of sleep! If you are not getting your REM your brain is not getting any sleep at all! I do feel so much better than I have ever felt in my whole life! I always thought that sleep was sleep not so.\n\n\n\nI am 61 and I can outwork a 20 year old but the CPAP has taken at least 30 years off my age! I love the Darn thing!\n\nBut it was not LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT LET ME ASSURE YOU!\n\nPLEASE USE YOURS AND GET USE TO IT \n\nAPS
508095
stop doing drugs first of all. then medatate when you go to bed. When my wife complains about not being able sleep, I tell her to medatate till she either falls asleep or sees God.
244958
You can get an alternate mask for your CPAP that covers your mouth as well as your nose so if your nose is stuffed you'll still get the benefits of CPAP by breathing through your mouth. If the cold is short-term a decongestant nasal spray such as Afrin might help, but ONLY use that sparingly. OTC decongestants also might be of value. If the problem persists, talk to an ENT--you may benefit from a steriod nasal spray such as Flonase, or you may need surgery (to repair a deviated septum, for example, or a turbinectomy). Getting off the Xanax would be a good long-term goal (I know, easy to say...). I'm sure you've explored other options but meditation and mindfulness are two techinques that can sometimes help.
204636
If she is only using the nasal C-PAP, she needs the FULL mask.  If she IS using the full mask, then her C-PAP machine needs to be adjusted to be more forceful to keep the upper palette of the mouth from blocking the airway.  If this doesn't help, there are minor surgeries that are done on the upper palette that will take care of this problem.  I suggest that she see the doctor that prescribed her C-PAP with these questions.  However, I would get another opinion and another sleep study somewhere else if at all possible because I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea at one hospital, but another hospital told me that I didn't have sleep apnea at all.  I'm still waiting for the results of my last study to tell me what my sleep abnormalities are since they don't think that it's sleep apnea.  Good luck.  I hope this helps.  If not, ask more - I'll be watching just in case.  \nAl
210728
Difficulty breathing to sleep? Sleep apnea is the answer, bipap, loosing weight is the help. Allergies and asthma is worse at night time..  go to the doctor they can halp
179331
He needs to see his doctor, to look into it, it could be apnea, and that means, he needs to regulate his breathing as he sleeps. \n\nHave you tried turning on a fan, or some background noise? \n\nHave you tried some sleep product at the drugstore like sleepezze (natural not drug), as the pharmacist.\n\nHas he tried nose strips, or spray? \n\nDo you have another room, that you could sleep in, until the problem is rectified? \nBeing sleep deprived, is as dangerous as being drunk when driving or operating equipment. \n\nGet help, and stay safe. \n\nGood luck.
507027
Well i work for a company who specializes in people who have Sleep Apnea. Some of the symptoms are not being able to breath at night. All of our patient state that they stop breathing. They experience Daytime Sleepiness. Feel tired and sleepy all the time. Patient with Sleep Apnea experience difficult concentrating,overweight,heavy snoring,gasping for air. Also waking up tired. Some even fall asleep while they are driving. You should really see a Dr for this. This is very serious you need to take care of it. Their is a machine that helps you it is called a Cpap machine. Your Dr should help you with having them do a payment plan. He will probably send you to do a Sleep Study test. They do two studies, one called a Cpap titration and a polysomnography. The first night they will put you on a Cpap machine and then the next night you will be off of it. That way they can determine how bad your Sleep Apnea is.
218101
ask your homecare company to put you on a auto-titrating cpap machine for 2-3 weeks, it will record your optimal cpap pressure and let you know how your mask is fitting and your leak factor,perhaps you need to use a heated humidifer if you are not already, nd maybe you need to try a different interface like a full face mask or nasal pillows. your pressure may not be accurate, you may have restless leg syndrome, although your PSG should have picked this up.\nMy best guess is you have poor sleep hygiene, you should go to bed the same time 7 days a week, exercise daily, proper diet, and use the bedroom only for sleep and intimacy- no reading or tv, computer in bed. Stress in your life can also leed to poor sleep, bruxism or grinding of teeth, an improperly warm sleep environment, poor mattress, sleeping with disruption  , IE dog, sleep partner, children can all result in poor sleep.\nHope this helps.
326338
My uncle has sleep apnea he has never taken drugs for it though.  He does use a breathing machine that gently forces air into you nose. he says he sleeps much better now.\n-------\n\n\n\nTreatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) includes lifestyle changes, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) (to prevent the airway from closing during sleep), and surgery. The goals of treatment are to relieve symptoms such as snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness and prevent other problems, such as high blood pressure. Your doctor will base your treatment on how severe your sleep apnea is. \n\nGenerally, your doctor will have you try lifestyle changes and CPAP first. Surgery is an option only if these do not work. \n\nYou may need to be treated for other health problems before you are treated for sleep apnea. For example, people who also have infections need to take antibiotics. People who have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) need to take thyroid medicine.\n\nChildren have the same treatment options as adults. However, surgery (tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy) generally is the first choice because enlarged tonsils or adenoids cause most cases of sleep apnea in children. Children are treated using CPAP if surgery is not possible or does not work.
59981
I'm not sure exactly what your question is, but I did find what seems to be a good website on Unbalanced Dysfunctional Breathing. I'll post the link: http://www.breathing.com/articles/udb.htm\n\nAlso you mentioned something about sleep apnea. This is a disorder in which you stop breathing while you are sleeping for a period of somewhere between 10 secs and 1 min before you breath again. If you want more information about this you can go to the forum: \nhttp://www.cpaptalk.com\nand they will help you out. \n\nI hope this helps. Good luck.