Sleep Hygiene September || Take 2 Tips: Clear the air, literally

NOV 15, 2015 || INDOOR AIR
The effects of bedroom air quality on sleep and next-day performance
"It was possible to show that responses to the well-established Groningen Sleep Quality scale indicated that sleep quality improved with bedroom air quality and that the subjects' own rating of next-day sleepiness and ability to concentrate differed significantly between conditions in the expected direction. Given these findings, it is reasonable to hypothesize that next-day performance would be better after sleeping in the conditions that provided better bedroom air quality."

MAR 7 || URBANMEISTERS
Why we urbanites sleep poorly. Could [it be] pollution...
"Now poor indoor air quality in our bedroom can result in restlessness and a lack of sufficient oxygen in the blood explaining why sometimes we wake up feeling tired, cranky and K.O. Also the deep breathing that occurs during sleep causes the body to inhale many irritating particles that agitate the respiratory system and cause coughing, sneezing, inflammation of the sinuses, and other sleep disturbing effects ..."

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Introducing April's theme at SHC: Sleep Breathing Disorders

GOOD SLEEP REQUIRES OXYGEN. 
Yet thousands of people are not getting adequate oxygen as they sleep. What's more, they don't know it. These aren't just the elderly or those with respiratory diseases like asthma; as much as 20 percent of the entire American adult population may be suffering from a sleep-breathing disorder and not even know it. 

For April, SHC focuses on sleep breathing disorders. The most common is snoring, but sleep apnea and upper airway resistance problems aren't far behind. Sleep breathing encompasses many healthcare categories, including pulmonary medicine, dentistry, ear-nose-throat health, neurology and more. Learn how breathing is essential for quality sleep this month, as well as discover the risks you take by not addressing your sleep breathing problems. 

ABCs of Sleep---C is for CPAP

A typical CPAP machine is small
enough to put on your nightstand
and includes a humidifier and
other simple adjustments.

CPAP

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A device for treating obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep-related breathing disorders.

____________________

CPAP is a common therapy which involves wearing a mask hooked to a machine delivering continuous air pressure in order to "splint open" the upper airway to prevent sleep obstruction. CPAP therapy is considered the gold standard for treating apneas.

This nasal mask is light enough to be
comfortable while still being an  effective
aid for improved breathing while asleep.

CPAP machines don't actually deliver oxygen to the patient airway via the mask, they just provide the right amount of pressure through the mask to keep the patient's airway "patent" or open. This kind of therapy helps keep the patient fully oxygenated while asleep, preventing a wide array of homeostatic problems such as hypoventilation, oxidative stress on the heart and hypertension. In fact, CPAP is considered a life-saving, life-altering device. Many patients have added years to their lives after using this therapy. Most patients, once adapted and compliant to CPAP therapy, report increased energy during the day and more restful sleep at night.

There are multiple versions of PAP therapies, including Bi-Pap and AutoPap, which regulate pressures through algorithms and preset programs to make the experience of breathing simpler and more comfortable for those with additional or multiple respiratory issues.

Today's CPAP therapy uses various kinds of masks to deliver the pressure, include oral nasal masks with or without chin straps, nasal pillows and full face masks. The technology has rapidly improved in recent years so that machines are far more quiet and deliver more comfortable pressure using built-in humidifiers; the masks today are also made of ultralight hospital grade silicone which is more light and flexible than previous masks.


Links to learn more:

What is CPAP? || National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
How CPAP controls sleep apnea || Mayo Clinic (VIDEO)
Sleep and CPAP Adherence || National Sleep Foundation
AASM Recommendations for Treatment || SleepWell Solutions

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*SOURCE for DEFINITIONS:
Spriggs, WH. (2010.) Glossary. In Essentials of Polysomnography (pp585-606). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers