Autism & Lasik Surgery Clinic

Do’s and Don’ts of sleep apnea

A person with obstructed sleep apnea has one or more episodes of shallow breathing or a temporary halt of breathing while they are asleep. When breathing starts up again, the person could gasp for air. Your sleep may be impacted by this persistent issue, but there are luckily strategies to control this pattern. So that you may properly manage your condition, abide by these dos and don’ts.

1. Ensure your sleeping space is comfortable.

Ensure that you receive enough sleep every night or sleep using cpap machine. Keep a regular sleeping schedule and adhere to it. According to some specialists, those who lack sleep may be more prone than others to snoring and sleep apnea. Get extra sleep if you find that these episodes seem to happen when you are too exhausted.

Make your bedroom as cozy and sleep-friendly as you can. Make sure the room where you sleep isn’t too warm or humid. At night, you may wish to lower the heat or crack a window for some fresh air. You may be able to breathe easier and keep your airways open if you use an air purifier.

2. Avoid sedatives and alcohol Before going to bed

Your sleep apnea symptoms might become worse if you take sleeping tablets or consume anything that has a sedative effect. Limit your use of alcoholic drinks throughout the day and avoid them just before bed. A few hours before going to bed, you may also want to avoid consuming chamomile tea since some people find it to be sleepy. Use a non-drowsy formulation if you’re taking antihistamines to treat an allergy or cold.

3. Do Lose Those Additional Pounds

A smart weight-loss program might aid in controlling or preventing your sleep apnea symptoms if you are overweight. Weight reduction is essential to opening up your airways since extra throat tissue in overweight people may obstruct nocturnal breathing. Request a recommendation from your doctor for a realistic weight-loss plan.

4. Avoid Developing a Nicotine Addiction

You undoubtedly already know that smoking is bad for your health. The use of nicotine may make your sleep apnea symptoms worse if you are susceptible to it. Smoking irritates the throat and airways. Additionally, your sleep could be disturbed by that “cigarette cough.” When you stop smoking, keep track of whether your sleep apnea symptoms appear to get better.

5. Do Think About Trying Yoga

While little exercise may improve sleep, yoga may actually strengthen the muscles that support the airways. You may be able to mitigate the consequences of sleep apnea if you include both activities into a healthy workout regimen. Before starting any kind of workout regimen, don’t forget to seek your doctor’s okay.

6. Don’t Sleep Flat on Your Back

To avoid obstructing your airways when resting flat while you sleep, it is preferable to utilize an additional pillow. Consider utilizing a specialized anti-snoring cushion if you also snore. Another piece of advice is to avoid sleeping on your back since for certain people, it might restrict the airways. Instead, try sleeping on your side to see if your problems go better.

7. Always heed medical advice.

A continuous positive airflow pressure machine, or CPAP machine, may be recommended by your doctor if you have severe sleep apnea symptoms. As you sleep, the mask is put over your mouth and nose to assist keep your airways open and deliver constant airflow. Your doctor may provide advice on how to adjust to using the machine every night.

Your doctor could also advise using saline nasal sprays or a saline wash if you have nasal allergies. Your nasal passages may become clearer as a result, improving your ability to breathe. If the air in your house is very dry, using a humidifier could also improve your ability to breathe.

People often have sleep apnea, which is a very common condition. The issue typically goes undiscovered since it happens when you’re sleeping.

During a sleep apnea episode, the shortage of oxygen jolts you awake, usually so quickly that you don’t remember it. You are spending more time in light sleep and less time in the deep, rejuvenating sleep that you need to be active, alert, and productive the following day because your regular sleep cycle has been disrupted. A range of health issues, including mortality in severe situations, may be brought on by sleep apnea. It’s essential that you pay attention to it as a consequence. Make a dental appointment right immediately if you or your bed mate suspect that you or your spouse has sleep apnea.

What changes in way of life may help with the treatment of sleep apnea?

Simple lifestyle modifications may be sufficient to cure mild cases of sleep apnea. If that’s the best place to start, your doctor will let you know. The following adjustments may enhance your sleep and lessen bouts of sleep apnea, even if you are receiving medical therapy.

It’s crucial to reduce weight because:

Losing weight might have a big influence if you’re overweight. Although it is seldom a complete cure, it may help you decrease the amount of breathing episodes you suffer, control your blood pressure, and sleep during the day. Even a tiny amount of weight reduction may open up your throat and reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea.

A nice choice for sleeping is on your side:

The worst posture for sleep apnea is lying on your back because it forces your tongue, mouth, and other soft tissues back toward your throat, obstructing your airway. Since breathing is made more difficult by lying face down or turning your head to the side, sleeping on your stomach isn’t much better. On the other hand, lying on your side keeps your airway open. Using side pillows or body pillows may be helpful if you have trouble falling asleep on your side or wake up on your back.

It is best to abstain from smoking:

Smoking causes more swelling and fluid retention in the neck and upper airway, which exacerbates sleep apnea.

Avoiding certain things includes:

Avoid alcoholic beverages, sedatives, and other medications that reduce anxiety, particularly before night. This has a very straightforward explanation. These chemicals cause the neck muscles to relax, which makes breathing difficult. This includes opiates (such as morphine, codeine, Vicodin, and Percocet) as well as benzodiazepines (like Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan), antihistamines (such Benadryl, Claritin), and sleeping drugs.

You must understand that occasionally doing all of these steps won’t be sufficient to solve the sleep apnea-related issues. When that happens, don’t wait to get in touch with a dentist.

Understand the Significant Differences Between Sleep Apnea And Snoring

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and not everyone who snores has the condition. How can you know whether you have sleep apnea or just regular snoring?

The most obvious clue is how you feel throughout the day. Regular snoring doesn’t affect your sleep quality as much as sleep apnea does, so you’re less likely to feel exhausted and tired throughout the day. The way you snore reveals a lot about who you are. If you find yourself gasping, coughing, or producing other strange noises while you sleep, you may have sleep apnea.

Snoring may interfere with your own sleep and that of your bed mate, even if you don’t have sleep apnea. However, there are a number of tips and remedies that might stop you from snoring.

Effects of a Deep Sleep on your Sleep Hygiene

Sleep differs both in quality and quantity. The quantity of sleep is the number of hours one can sleep or the duration of the rest. Regarding sleep quality, we can begin to talk about how deep sleep gets and how refreshing it is after you wake up. As for the quantity of sleep, it is not always directly proportional to sleep quality. In other words, one may have slept for several hours and still not have the same quality as someone who slept for just an hour.

On the other hand, the value of your sleep depends on these two characteristics of sleep. There may be many factors that are responsible for that scenario or condition. But this article will focus on the effects of good sleep and how one can achieve it for healthy sleep hygiene. However, let us begin with what deep sleep is, especially what research has discovered about getting a good quality of sleep and different stages of sleep.

What is a Deep sleep?

Deep sleep refers to the stage of sleep that is associated with the slowest brain wave while one is sleeping. When synchronizing the sleep activity on an EEG graph, there are the slow-wave and the high tides. This slow wave is responsible for relatively high amplitude and a low frequency, usually less than 1Hz.

Similarly, a downstate of the wave is characteristic of an initial section, followed by an inhibition period where the neurons inside the neocortex are now silent and inactive. At this same period, the neocortical neurons can also rest for the next surge of the wave. Afterward, a new section of the wave begins with an upstate, with the neurons excited and happening quickly.

We refer to this phase as depolarizing, while the former state is called a hyperpolarizing phase. When measuring the slow-wave sleep compared to the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep cycle, some of the characteristics of the former are absent with a slow eye movement. Other features of the former include the moderate muscle tone and a lack of genital activity during the period.

Characteristics of a Deep Sleep

When experiencing deep sleep in terms of sleep hygiene, there are a couple of ways to identify it. However, these features depend on the device or measuring tool used, such as

The Electroencephalograph (EEG) as s tool can demonstrate the delta waves of seep. By the way, delta waves are low frequency and high amplitude waves
A high arousal threshold of sleep
Consolidation of memories
Presumed restoration of the body and the brain

Importance of Deep Sleep to Your Sleep Hygiene

Deep sleep is an essential ingredient for consolidating good and new memories. And this process is called Sleep-dependent Memory Processing. As for the individuals who have primary insomnia, it may be accompanied by a memory consolidation. This condition means that the person may not perform at the optimum level like regular patients in terms of the memory completion tasks after waking up from sleep.

Moreover, the process improves declarative memory during a period of slow-wave sleep. Also, it includes both the semantic and the episodic memory, which all contribute to your overall sleep hygiene. A central model was proposed in the past based on long-term memory storage and use. A neocortical and hippocampal network interaction promotes this activity.

In addition, more studies showed that when the research subjects are taught a process of declarative memory tasks. It returns a high density of human sleep compared to those with a non-learning control memory task. At the same time, this condition is characteristic of unconscious wave oscillations inside the intracellular recordings of the thalamic and cortical neurons of the brain.

Functions of a Deep Sleep

Several research studies have shown that sleep deprivation is a significant issue that several people face in real life. Meanwhile, the multiple uses of deep sleep are to afford the brain a long time to restore from the daily activities it may have gone through. Also, since the brain has been active throughout the day, it is only reasonable to allow its rest through a short sleep wave.

While the brain consumes much glucose through metabolism during the active hours of the day, a different activity occurs when resting. The other function of the brain when we have a deep sleep is that the slow-wave cause the secretion of certain hormones to rise at this stage. On the other hand, this stage also increases parasympathetic neural activity levels. At the same time, the sympathetic neural activity reduces as a result.

The Sleep Disorders that Occur during Deep Sleep

Certain sleep disorders may prevent you from maintaining sleep hygiene during deep sleep. Mainly, these disorders, also called parasomnias, occur most when a slow wave occurs during deep sleep. Examples include Somnambulism, also known as sleepwalking, and sleep terrors, also known as night terrors.

The other ones may include Enuresis, bedwetting, sexsomnia, or even sleep eating. All these disorders are associated with having a short or slow-wave deep sleep. Another deep sleep anomaly is called narcolepsy, which is an experience of fragmented deep sleep.

Factors responsible for the rise in the slow-wave of Deep Sleep

When one continues to have a slow wave in a deep sleep, some particular factors are often responsible. These experiences cause prolonged exercise and heating up of the body. An example is an immersion in a hot tub or a sauna. The most specific cause of this situation is a rise in the brain temperature exceeding a set threshold.

Typically, the circadian rhythm and the homeostatic processes of the body are supposed to regulate the body temperature, including the brain. But when one does not feed so well or runs low on a carbohydrate diet, a healthy person may cause a slow wave to rise in the percentage during sleep. Another factor could be the intake of antidepressant drugs or SSRIs.

Conclusion

When pursuing healthy sleep hygiene, the slow-wave stage of the three stages of sleep is the most important one. Moreover, it forms an essential part of the brain’s cognitive functioning. In addition, it promoted memory consolidation and the restoration of the brain after undergoing some activities. Easy ways to overcome this trouble are through a healthy diet and body and mind exercise. Eventually, you can still enjoy excellent sleep hygiene or lifestyle.

Dangers of a Poor Sleep Hygiene

Many people ignore the benefits of good sleep hygiene and easily fall victim to some of the terrible hazards of a good sleeping habit. It is easy to assume that you can easily catch up without effects if you miss the quality and quantity of sleep you deserve for some days. While the first part of the statement is not wrong, the second part is not as easy as it seems.

The idea of repaying the sleep debt ignores that it can only work for a short time and not for a lengthy period. Otherwise, the lack of sleep may cause irreparable damage. On the other end of the spectrum, some people have picked up old habits to enforce sleep while ignoring the sleep hygiene tips that could be safer, cheaper, and healthier.

A lack of sleep can undoubtedly create a terrible feeling of grumpiness and fogginess. But then, do you know that getting it right with sleep hygiene can save your life, restore your sex drive, and help you regain short-term memory. In addition, you can even begin to get a better chance at controlling your body weight and health. Below are some of the most surprising effects of lack of sleep or poor sleep hygiene.

Sleepiness can cause accidents

Although this effect is usually unintended, sleep deprivation is a common factor in bringing about large disasters in recent history. Sleep loss can cause a substantial public disaster on the highway, as there are some records of automobile accidents caused by a sleepy driver. Meanwhile, it does not even have to take a long sleep or nap. Slight drowsiness or slumbering can slow down the reaction that a driver should have in response to impromptu challenges.

A research study observed and recorded the level of fatigue in a crop of drivers before setting out. And it was discovered that thousands of auto crashes are due to this fatigue condition and even led to auto crash deaths worldwide. It may also cause some injuries. On the other hand, work accidents have been associated with daytime sleepiness. At the same time, they may report more sick days for each accident.

Lack of sleep can lower your mental strength

When you fail to get enough sleep, you may be hurting your ability to think and learn properly. That way, rest relates directly to the cognitive strength of your brain in many ways. The first effect one may notice some measure of alertness, attention, reasoning, concentration, and problem-solving skill. Lack of sleep may also add to the difficulty of efficient learning.

In addition, a disrupted sleep cycle during the night specifically can injure your chances of consolidating valuable memories. And without the proper learning and ability to assimilate, it won’t be easy to recollect what has been learned during the day. More so, the mind may feel tired and unyielding.

Serous health challenges as a result of sleep deprivation

There are countless diseases whose risk stems from the sleep disorders that a person may experience. For instance, some of these diseases include

High blood pressure
Diabetes
Stroke
Unstable heartbeat
Heart attack
Heart disease
Heart failure

If we take insomnia, for example, a considerable percentage of patients with the disorder have one type of disorder. When this happens, they find it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep due to underlying health conditions.

Sleeplessness kills sex drive

According to specialists, lack of sleep can also be responsible for a lowered libido or sex drive. This condition can be observed in men and women and can even be expressed in diminished sex interest. In addition to the decreased sex drive, the person experiencing a lack of sleep can also experience depleted energy, high tension, and sleepiness.

Notably, men suffering from sleep apnea, a respiratory problem associated with sleep, can contribute to sexual sloppiness. In addition, clinical research also suggested that sleep apnea can also cause a reduced testosterone level. It can also happen to such men the night when the body secretes a low testosterone level because it did not get the expected amount of sleep.

Depression can be a result of a lack of sleep.

Good sleep hygiene can overcome depression in many cases. On the other hand, insomnia and other sleep disorders have been confirmed as common causes of depression. America once conducted sleep research in 2005 that reported that many people suffered from anxiety and depression.

Also, these people were less likely to sleep for six hours or even less at night. At the same time, insomnia as a sleep disorder today has the most vital link to depression. Statistics even showed that people with insomnia are five times more likely to develop depression over time than those without it. Also, insomnia is the first sign or symptom of depression.

It is difficult to achieve excellent sleep hygiene without acknowledging the relationship between insomnia and depression. The lack of sleep enhances the tendency to have depression. As a result, it makes it more and more difficult to fall asleep. As the patient treats one of the two predicaments, it can help overcome the other. For example, treating sleep problems can overcome depression and vice versa.

Sleeplessness can contribute to the aging of the skin

When the skin suddenly sags and the eyes begin to puff early, it could be associated with a lack of sleep. Clearly, a person who hasn’t slept well shows swollen eyes. But in the advanced stages of this condition of chronic sleep loss, the skin may begin to show some lackluster texture, fine lines, and dark circles under the eyes.

On the other hand, when we don’t get enough sleep, the body secretes some measure of the stress hormone cortisol into it. If this hormone accrues over time, cortisol can begin to break down the skin protein collagen. The collagen was meant to keep the skin smooth and elastic. In addition to the stress hormone, the body also releases too little of the human growth hormone due to sleep loss.

A younger person should have more growth hormone to enhance their rapid growth. But this same hormone is responsible for muscle mass, bone strengthening, and skin thickening. It is during sleep that this hormone is often released into our bodies. The secretion process also enhances the repair of the normal tissue, including replacing the wear and tear of the day.

Also checkout:
The Key Differences Between LASIK And PRK
The 5 Must-Do Tips To Aid Quick Recovery After A LASIK Procedure

Choosing from these type of CPAP masks

The mask you choose for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment is undoubtedly crucial if you or a loved one has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The CPAP masks must be as comfortable as feasible, maintain a reliable seal to your nose or mouth, and be simple to maintain since it serves as the interface between you and your CPAP machine. The CPAP masks must fit properly for a variety of reasons. For instance, the patient’s diet and lifestyle (including if they are presently losing weight), the patient’s face’s size and shape, and the face’s bone structure. What position does the patient like to sleep in? Does the patient have any facial hair, such as a beard? Do you get nosebleeds? altered septum? Just a few instances of the variables that need to be taken into account.

In addition to these aspects, it might be difficult to sift through all the devices on the market today to discover the best cpap masks for you since there are so many of them. This is particularly true if you have just received a sleep apnea diagnosis and this is your first exposure to CPAP treatment. Don’t panic; the ideal CPAP masks is available; continue reading to learn where to look. Learn more for choosing CPAP masks based on your sleeping position.

3 Primary CPAP masks Designs

There are three major mask types, while there are hundreds of alternative mask and accessory combinations that may be used to fulfill the demands of certain sleep apnea sufferers. The majority of them have the same fundamental parts, which are the mask cushion, headpiece, and frame. Let’s look at each of the three primary categories separately.

Full-face CPAP Mask

We’ll start with the full face mask, which has the biggest surface area. It is made to cover the mouth and nose, from the nasal bridge to just below the bottom lip, unlike the other two designs. A headpiece secures it in place.

While some CPAP users report feeling claustrophobic due to the size of a full face mask, others say it is more pleasant. Without the threat of developing dry mouth, you may breathe through your mouth or sleep with your mouth open. Newer designs also provide a clear field of view and are thinner than conventional face masks.

If any of the following apply to you:

You need greater air pressure settings
Mouth breathers, back sleepers, those with deviated septa or other sinus blockage, those who can’t use a chin strap, and those who sleep with their mouths open.

Full face CPAP masks may be used by back and certain side sleepers without having to worry about the bedding and pillows interfering with the seal.

With a full face mask, you can have trouble achieving a good seal if you have facial hair. The following two alternatives are smaller, more compact, and have a reduced contact area as a result.

Nasal CPAP Mask

On the bridge of the nose, a nasal mask sits and seals. People who find that wearing a full face mask makes them feel claustrophobic and who dislike the sensation of direct airflow into their noses that a nasal cushion mask provides are big fans of nasal masks.

A cheap chin strap to keep your mouth shut might be the solution you need to make a nasal mask work for you if you find yourself mouth breathing at night.

If you:

Only breathe through your nose, or can comfortably use a chin strap if you find yourself mouth breathing
Sleep on your back or side
Don’t like the more direct pressure that a nasal pillow mask provides
Don’t frequently experience nasal congestion; then a nasal CPAP masks may be beneficial for you.

Some individuals find nasal masks difficult because they might leave red stains where they lay on the nose’s bridge. However, experimenting with various sizes and modifying the headpiece may assist (fyi, we have fit packs available, specifically for this reason!).

They may not be effective for those who have difficulty breathing through their noses, need greater pressures, often have nasal congestion, have a deviated septum, or have nasal injuries that impede the nasal passages.

Nasal CPAP Pillow Mask

Finally, let’s talk about the nasal pillow CPAP masks, also known as a nasal cushion mask. This mask has the lowest surface area and is preferred by those who want a thin, minimal-contact mask.

Two silicone pillows or cushions on the mask, which sits on the top lip and forces air straight into the nasal passages, are put into the nostrils.

Since the seal is formed at the nose rather than across a wider region, this kind of sleep apnea mask reduces the likelihood of air leakage.

If any of the following apply to you:

You frequently toss and turn while you sleep
You sleep on your stomach or side

You only breathe through your nose
You don’t mind wearing a chin strap
You rarely experience nasal congestion
You have a beard or other facial hair
You find that other masks give you a feeling of claustrophobia

A full face mask could be a better option if you need high pressure, commonly suffer from allergies or sinus blockages, or breathe through your mouth while you sleep.

Customized Masks

The three most typical CPAP masks styles have been discussed, however there are more masks available for unique situations.

A mask used for oral CPAP only allows air to flow into the mouth and not the nose. For those who struggle to breathe through their nose owing to obstruction or congestion, an oral mask may be useful.

A complete face CPAP masks is exactly what it sounds like; it covers the entire face, including the lips, nose, and eyes. Even though it occupies the greatest space, it helps lessen claustrophobia in those who feel uncomfortable with focused air pressure around their lips or nose. It’s a wonderful alternative for those whose face traits make it difficult to locate a mask that fits well.

A hybrid CPAP masks essentially combines a full face mask with a nasal pillow mask; it contains the same kind of cushions that go in the nostrils and covers the mouth while sealing beneath the nose. This kind of mask is ideal for those who sometimes use their mouths to breathe but dislike chin straps and want to have their nasal bridge visible.

Finally, a nasal prong CPAP masks has two prongs that are put into the nostrils and inflated to produce a tight seal, similar to a nasal pillow mask. While they are lighter and have a slimmer appearance than nasal pillows, they are put somewhat deeper. If you need high pressure, they are not for you.

Choosing CPAP masks based on your sleeping position

Millions of Australians suffer from sleep apnea, a breathing problem that is often treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Many people think CPAP users must sleep on their backs because a mask is too large for them to comfortably sleep on their side or stomach while receiving CPAP therapy. CPAP masks come in a variety of styles, some of which are thicker than others. Some CPAP users are required to wear a certain kind of mask, but others are allowed to choose a mask depending on their preferred sleeping position.

When selecting a cpap mask, it is critical to heed the recommendations of your sleep expert. Speak to them to find out whether your chosen alternative could work for you before switching mask kinds. Not all mask types are suitable for all CPAP users, and each kind of mask has a certain form for a purpose.

The Best CPAP Mask for Your Sleep Position

The full-face, nasal, and nasal pillow masks are the three most often used CPAP mask types. Nasal masks just cover the nose, whereas full-face masks cover the lips as well, making them the bulkiest option. The least intrusive masks are nasal pillow masks, which cover just the nostrils and lack a hard shell.

Aside from being unpleasant, sleeping in a position that pushes on the CPAP mask might reduce the effectiveness of your therapy. CPAP masks need a tight seal to prevent air leakage. The headgear for a CPAP mask may also disrupt sleep, especially if it has rigid anchor straps or harsh plastic buckles. You should think about the mask’s footprint, including its length, breadth, and depth, as well as where the headgear will lay on your face when selecting a CPAP mask. Finding a mask that is both functional and pleasant for sleeping is the objective.

CPAP masks for side sleepers

One of the finest sleeping positions for treating sleep apnea is on your side because it prevents gravity from affecting your airway the way it does when you’re on your back or stomach. Unfortunately, it may be challenging for side sleepers to locate the ideal CPAP mask.

For side sleepers who can handle them, nasal pillow masks are a wonderful alternative because of how high they lay above the cushion. Although some side sleepers may tilt their faces toward the cushion, nasal pillow masks often maintain their seal even in these situations. Another solution that works well for many side sleepers are nasal masks, which partially or completely enclose the nose. The most effective types include soft, adjustable headgear and great sealing. However, side sleepers may still need a CPAP-friendly cushion to support the thickness of even a nasal mask since these features do nothing to stop air leakage.

CPAP masks for back sleepers

Back sleeping CPAP users enjoy a wide range of mask options since even full-face masks fit well in this position. Although sleeping on your back may be ideal if you wear a CPAP mask, doing so might lead to airway collapse because of gravity. You will probably feel at ease using any mask that is efficient and meets your other demands if your doctor is aware that you sleep on your back and has not advised you to switch positions. Despite some back sleepers struggling with single-strap headgear, the posture also makes it harder to remove your mask. CPAP Masks for Stomach Sleepers

The least common sleeping position is on the stomach, and those who do have special considerations when selecting a CPAP mask. Most masks push onto the face because of the location, which is uncomfortable and often results in air leakage. Your head may be forced into a posture that puts stress on your neck and might result in discomfort or stiffness the following day, depending on the size of your mask.

Due to these reasons, the majority of individuals can only sleep on their stomachs while using a nasal pillow mask. Because of their modest profile, nose pillows are perfect for this as they won’t likely grow uncomfortable or become dislodged no matter how you sleep. Even those who use nasal pillow masks should check that their real pillows can accept the mask. Some masks also include tubes placed around the temples, which, depending on your posture and the hardness of your pillow, may result in air obstruction.

What stores sell CPAP masks?

Like CPAP devices, CPAP masks need a prescription. Despite this, there are several places you may get a CPAP mask. Online stores still need a prescription, which is often verified by having you upload or fax the prescription to the store. You may make your purchase as soon as your prescription is accepted.

The finest CPAP machines and masks are often available from online vendors, but physical medical supply stores are also popular choices and can be more practical if you need a mask right away. Finally, a small selection of CPAP masks is sold by a lot of sleep clinics and experts. Although their costs are often higher, buying via your sleep expert enables them to better monitor your care.

Making Use of a CPAP Pillow to Improve Mask Fit

Not all CPAP users are able to utilize all CPAP mask styles, therefore you should choose your CPAP masks based on your sleep specialist’s recommendations. A CPAP cushion may provide a solution if the mask you must wear prevents you from sleeping in your preferred posture. Despite sleeping on your side, these pillows are better contoured than a regular pillow to support masks, especially thicker ones. Depending on the type, they could also provide better cervical support to prevent mask dislodging or neck strain.

Final thoughts

Millions of Australians suffer from sleep apnea, a breathing problem that is often treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Many people think CPAP users must sleep on their backs because a mask is too large for them to comfortably sleep on their side or stomach while receiving CPAP masks therapy. CPAP masks come in a variety of styles, some of which are thicker than others. Some CPAP users are required to wear a certain kind of mask, but others are allowed to choose a mask depending on their preferred sleeping position.

Other resources:
The Key Differences Between LASIK And PRK
The 5 Must-Do Tips To Aid Quick Recovery After A LASIK Procedure

The Key Differences Between LASIK And PRK

PRK and LASIK are laser eye surgeries used to correct eyesight. Meanwhile, PRK has existed longer than LASIK, but both are widely performed today.

LASIK and PRK procedures are both used to correct the eye’s cornea. The cornea comprises five thin layers of tissue in the eye that bend and focus light to help you see more clearly.PRK and eye surgery lasik procedures use different techniques to correct vision by reshaping the corneal tissue.

With the PRK procedure, the eye doctor removes the epithelium. He then uses eye surgery lasik to reshape the other layers of the cornea and fix weird twists in your eye.

These lasers surgeries create a small flap in the cornea. The surgeon raises the flap with a laser and then uses lasers to reshape the cornea. When that is done, the corneal flap lowers back down after the procedure is complete, and the cornea repairs itself within the next few weeks or months.

Either technique can resolve eye issues such as:

Nearsightedness or myopia: inability to focus on distant objects
Farsightedness or hyperopia: inability to see near things
astigmatism: is an irregular structure that causes a blurry vision

How do these procedures work?

The two laser procedures have a similar process: they reshape irregular cornea tissues with lasers. But they vary in some ways:

In the PRK procedure, surgeons remove a part of the cornea tissue.
During the eye surgery lasik procedure, surgeons create a flap to open the tissues and close the flap when the procedure finishes.

What happens during the PRK procedure?

You receive numbing drops, so don’t feel any pain during the procedure. You can also receive drugs to relax your nerves.
The epithelium is removed. That takes about 30 seconds.
The surgeon uses an excimer laser to fix any wrongs in the corneal tissue layers. That also takes up to 30-60 seconds.
A bandage is put on your cornea to heal the tissues underneath the cornea.

What happens during a LASIK procedure?

You are given medications to numb your eye.
THe surgeon cuts a small corneal flap into the epithelium with a femtosecond laser. That lets him move the layer to the side and have enough space to reshape the other layers with the laser. Because it’s attached, it is easier for the surgeon to fix the epithelium to its proper place after the procedure finishes rather than removing it entirely as it is in PRK.
An excimer laser helps reshape your corneal tissues and fix eye curvature issues.
The surgeon restores your corneal flap in the epithelium to heal with the rest of the tissues.

How long is recovery?

You can feel a little discomfort during each procedure. You can also notice quick changes in your vision as the surgeon reshapes your eye tissue. But the entire process is painless.

Complete recovery will take three weeks to a month with the PRK procedure. Recovery from eye surgery lasik is faster and takes a few days to have a sharper vision.

PRK recovery

Following the PRK procedure, you will have a bandage over your eyes which sometimes can cause sensitivity to direct light or irritation for some days as your epithelium recovers. Your vision can continue to blurry until you remove the contact-like bandage after a few weeks.

Your surgeon can prescribe certain medicated eye drops to keep your eye moist for quick recovery. You can also use medications according to the prescription of your surgeon to relieve your pain.

You can start to experience bright vision immediately after the surgery. However, it may worsen later if you are not adhering to the precautions. Your ophthalmologist would instruct you to avoid strenuous activities like driving until your vision become perfect.

The full recovery process may last for a month. Your vision then gets better day after day. You will have to visit your healthcare provider regularly for re-examination and reports until your perfect vision is fully restored.

LASIK recovery

You might see more right after the eye surgery lasik procedure than before when using eyeglasses or contact lenses. From experience, you will be close to your desired vision after the first 24 hours.

You will experience less pain as your eye recovers. In most instances, you might feel a slight burning sensation in your eyes for a few hours after the eye surgery lasik procedure. Still, it should relieve you after some hours. Your doctor will then apply medicated eye drops to prevent irritation.

Your vision should become perfect within some days after the procedure. Click here for tips to aid quick recovery after a lasik procedure.

Which one is more effective?

Both LASIK and PRK procedures are effective in correcting vision. They only differ in how long it takes to heal.

LASIK procedure takes some days to see, while PRK can take up to a month. Meanwhile, the results won’t differ if the surgeon did an excellent job procedure.

Overall, the PRK procedure is safer in the long term. That is because it doesn’t leave a flap in your cornea. A surgeon leaves a flap behind during the eye surgery lasik procedure, which can cause severe complications.

What are the risks involved in both?

Both procedures come with a few risks. LASIK might be riskier because it requires the surgeon to create a flap in the patient’s cornea.

The potential risks associated with both procedures include:

Eye dryness. eye surgery lasik procedure can produce some tears for about six months after the surgery, and that dryness can be permanent.
Visual changes or disturbances. That may include reflections off objects and seeing halos around lights. When it aggravates, you might have a bad sight at night. it usually disappears after some weeks, but it can become permanent in rare cases.
Under-correction. Your vision might not seem clearer if your surgeon didn’t remove enough corneal tissue, primarily if the surgery aims to correct nearsightedness.
Visual distortion. Your surgeon may remove too much tissue than necessary during the procedure, which may cause ectasia. That complication can make the cornea too weak, bulging the eye from pressure. Your surgeon needs to resolve this issue on time to prevent possible vision loss.
Astigmatism. This happens when your eye curvature changes. Sometimes, the surgeon forgets to remove the corneal tissue, which turns out bad. You may need to start wearing eyeglasses or contacts to correct this problem or do a follow-up surgery.
LASIK flap complications. When there are issues with the corneal flap during the eye surgery lasik procedure, it can produce too many tears or lead to infection.

Conclusion

Both laser procedures cost up to $2,500 to $5,000. Although, PRK can be more expensive because it requires more follow-up check-ins. Health insurance plans cover LASIK and PRK procedures because they are considered electives.

If you have health savings accounts, you can use them to cover the cost. Note that these plans are peculiar to only employer-sponsored health packages.

The 5 Must-Do Tips To Aid Quick Recovery After A LASIK Procedure

Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is a refractive surgery that helps correct impaired vision and provides a lasting solution for different vision problems – mild or severe. LASIK is more than an alternative to eyeglasses and contact lenses, as patients experience the sharpest vision possible after the surgery.

Aside from the excellent result it brings, LASIK heals your vision very fast. You are expected to get results after the first 24 hours of all things being perfect. Meanwhile, the healing process is continuous. It takes about two weeks for a LASIK patient’s vision to restore to its ideal state. And when it happens, it remains correct for a lifetime. Without a doubt, LASIK is the best vision correction option if you are qualified to undergo the procedure.

I will let you in on a secret. After lasik eye surgery, people are expected to do certain things to get the correct result when due. Of course, LASIK works wonders. But it requires your cooperation. Oops! You have just learned that LASIK quick recovery is not automatic.

Shockingly, some people don’t get to see the quick result after they have gone for LASIK. As a matter of fact, some don’t get a corrected vision until after six months or even beyond. Does that mean that LASIK is impotent? NO! The principal reason is that those people have not learned about LASIK aftercare procedures.

Without proper aftercare treatment, you may continue to experience the same sight difficulty for several months without any changes. Hence, you have to be deliberate enough to adhere to your surgeon’s aftercare instructions strictly. One important notice how committed you are to those instructions will determine how quickly you recover.

So, what are the things you must do to have a perfect sight after a LASIK procedure in the shortest time possible? I have helped you compile the five MUST-DO aftercare treatments prescribed by seasoned LASIK surgeons with vast experience. Let’s get to work!

The 5 Must-Do Aftercare Treatment To Aid Quick Recovery After A LASIK Procedure

1. Find a driver

The first thing to do when preparing for LASIK surgery is to get a driver ready for the trip. The idea is that the driver would drive you when coming back from the LASIK surgery center, so you could arrange that he takes you there.

Why is that important? You need to relax your eyes immediately after the LASK procedure, so it can be very wrong to engage in any activity that strains the eyes. Driving requires total concentration and focus of the eyes. If you attempt it after a LASIK, you might be putting your eyes in grave danger.

Besides, you didn’t get perfect vision immediately after the surgery. Typically, your vision gets blurry within the first few hours. Hence, driving yourself home can be suicidal in that situation.

Of course, you can also hire a cab if you have the financial capacity. But, the best thing to do is to find a loyal friend that can spare some hours to be your driver. That’s because the kind gesture doesn’t end with driving. You will need somebody to take you from the car to your bedroom. Straining your eyes after the surgery would delay your quick recovery or even damage your sight.

2. Dress simply

I don’t expect you to dress like a banker resuming his official duty when going for a lasik eye surgery. Yet, I deem it essential to remind you to wear a simple outfit to the center. Women especially need to be more cautious as they like to dress to taste on different occasions.

Well, going for a LASIK doesn’t mean you should look unkempt. You have all the right to wear something nice but make sure they are soft enough. The idea is to wear something that makes you feel comfortable. Though the LASIK procedure doesn’t take much time, you need to understand it’s still surgery. Avoid wearing sunglasses, a wristwatch, necklace, and other accessories.

3. Eat good meal after surgery

You must have heard that food is medicinal; here’s a time to buttress that fact. A good meal is among the less-known factors that aid quick recovery after a LASIK procedure. In most cases, you will return home hungry even if you ate like a king before going into the surgery room. So, it is wise that you have already pre-planned what you will eat when you return.

Many people don’t get the correct result because they don’t know this little secret. Don’t miss it! Mind you, it is not about eating heavily. Just make sure you eat a balanced diet filling before and after the surgery. That way, your vision’s healing process becomes faster.

4. Administer our aftercare medication properly

One of the things that delay quick recovery after LASIK is that people plateau after seeing some encouraging results in their vision. That is not ideal! After your LASIK procedure, your surgeon will give you some aftercare medications inform of eye drops to administer according to a specific dosage. If you desire quick healing, the best thing you can do for yourself is to stay faithful with the aftercare medications and use them according to dosage.

Besides, your aftercare medication might lose potent if you don’t store them in a dry, cool place. Do you have a refrigerator? You are good to go!

5. Don’t expose your eyes to top rays of light

After a LASIK procedure, you are expected to stay away from some entertaining activities within the first two weeks to aid in quick results. Avoid the rays of light that come from the screen of your mobile phone, television, computer, and other gadgets. It will not only delay the result but also damage your vision.

Is life going to be boring without entertainment? I think many of us cannot survive without pressing our phones. You can ask a family member to help you attend to your phone while waiting for a perfect vision.

Finally

Rest is essential. Make sure you get a very sound sleep when you return home immediately after eating. Relaxing your eyes is very crucial when it comes to quick recovery after a LASIK surgery. It is good to move to a private room free of dist5raction to rest for as long as possible without being disturbed.

Advantages and disadvantages of Lasik eye surgery

Recently, the rate at which people are going for Lasik eye surgery is beyond expression. In the US, people with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and other eye problems that Lasik can solve are not joking with this surgery. However, as good as Lasik eye surgery is, do you know there are limitations? Some shortcomings may want to push one to opt out. And there are also benefits of doing this surgery.

Therefore, this article aims to expressly explain the meaning, advantages, and disadvantages of Lasik surgery. Please pay attention and shun all distractions. Let us start with the definition of Lasik surgery.

What is lasik eye surgery?

Lasik surgery uses a laser to resolve, reshape, and correct the cornea of the eye whenever there’s a vision problem. So, what happens doing Lasik surgery? There’s a thin cornea flap in the upper layers of the cornea. The flap is lifted. The work of a laser is to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. The essence of doing this is to ensure that light focuses better on the retina. So, when the process is carried out carefully, the corneal flap is restored to its original state. This incredible process remains one of the most used strategies for correcting vision problems.

However, one must not forget the fact that this process requires specialized knowledge in its operation. This implies that a competent Lasik eye Surgeon must be the one to handle your eye if you want to tell a positive story about how this process restores your vision.

Advantages of Lasik eye surgery

LASIK is quick and safe: Lasik eye surgery is the best to correct some eye problems because it remains the fastest and the safest means of correcting vision. Unlike other means of solving eye problems, Lasik surgery is different. There’s a tendency that one can fully regain and restore one’s sight after this surgery after two weeks. Also, this procedure only takes twenty minutes. It is not a surgery that would take half of the whole day. During this procedure, other eyes problems that may likely show forth in the future can be cleared. Furthermore, one can stay awake while Lasik eye surgery is going on. Isn’t that amazing? And for patients that cannot withstand staying awake, they’ll be given Valium to calm their nerves.

The result comes quickly: The outcome of undergoing surgery comes out without taking much time. A few hours after LASIK, patients will start feeling the difference. One can resume fully to one’s daily activities after two days. The results don’t take much time as others. People love to undergo LASIK because it is the only means that guarantee quick recovery. If you are diagnosed with an eye problem that needs to be treated via Lasik surgery, you must consider yourself lucky. The chance of returning to your daily activities the third day after the surgery is 100%, except there’s a complication. But once everything is done successfully, you’ll be up in the next forty-eight hours.

You can live without glasses or contact: You dare not stay without glasses or contacts for a year after other eye surgery. But the case is different with Lasik eye surgery. After the whole process, one can live without glasses or contacts. Some people checked their eyes because they were tired of using glasses. And immediately after the LASIK, the eyeglasses were nowhere to be found. This fact is why LASIK cannot go to extinction.

Improvement in one’s vision: Lasik eye surgery will bring your vision back to its original state if you are feeling myopia or hyperopia. Research shows that close to 90% of people who have undergone this surgery say something good about it. I was surprised when I saw countless reviews on how Lasik surgery has adjusted and restored people’s eyes. Although, this procedure is not the only means of treating eye problems. But once your doctor tells you that the solution to your eye problem is to undergo this surgery, you should congratulate yourself. After the surgery, your vision will be restored.

Furthermore, I spoke with a woman that has undergone this process. The woman told me that her vision is just like before she had an issue with her eyes. That’s one thing this surgery will do to you.

Disadvantages of Lasik eye surgery

Flap problems: Folding back the flap from the eye’s surface during Lasik eye surgery can result in complications. Flap problems can lead to complications like too many tears and infections. The outermost corneal tissue layer may grow abnormally under the flap during the healing process. So, flap problems are occurrences that contribute to the shortcomings of Lasik surgery. That is why one needs to be careful. We discuss the risk and limitations of treating eye problems like myopia with Lasik eye surgery.

Not everyone is eligible: One of the disadvantages of LASIK is that it is strictly meant for an adult. There are other means to treat eye problems among children and younger adults. People eligible to undergo this surgery are people of 40 years and above.

There is a slight chance of needing LASIK again: This is one of its shortcomings. Although the prospect of doing it again is slim, we’ve heard about people that underwent LASIK thrice.

Infections:

Infections may occur after this surgery. However, one can be infected if the process is not done perfectly. But I have seen people getting infections after this process. They had to start another journey of living a good life. So, this is one of the risks of undergoing LASIK.

Closing thought

Dear reader, hopefully, you’ve seen something educative. In this article, we talk about the meaning of LASIK and its advantages and disadvantages of LASIK. Therefore, if you find this article intriguing, you need to share the link to this page with families and friends. Finally, while reading this article, some questions might cross your mind. Please kindly drop questions regarding this topic in the comment box.