Can A Wearable Device Detect Sleep Apnea
Initially, wearable devices like Fitbit could monitor your sleeping patterns based on your motion. Since the product was first launched, however, Fitbit and other wearables have become more technically advanced, providing information such as oxygen in the body, position, respiratory effort, airflow, cardiovascular system information, and sleep.
Doctors can draw information from these devices to better help them determine if you are a likely candidate for sleep testing.
Nasal Devices For A Deviated Septum: What They Are & How To Use Them
A septum is a wall of bone and cartilage separating the nasal passages which are lined with mucous membranes on either side. When the wall is severely tilted to one side that is referred to in the medical world as a deviated septum. Visually you can tell when a septum has deviated because it looks like one nostril is bigger than the other.
A deviated septum, depending on the severity, can cause a number of health issues such as difficulty breathing due to disrupted airflow, headaches, facial pain, sleep apnea, increased rate of infection, and a postnasal drip. While in most severe cases surgery must be done because it is the only way to correct a deviated septum, there are other options available for a less severe case of a deviated septum.
Before opting for surgery which can be costly, require a recovery period, and has numerous risks involved, it is definitely worth it to look into some other medical treatments or natural treatments you can try, to alleviate the symptoms of a deviated septum and help facilitate better airflow in your nose:
Some Tips When Using Nasal Strips
- If you are new to using nasal strips, practice finding the correct position on your nose before removing the adhesive. This will help you place your strips correctly so that you do not lose them by sticking them to the wrong part of your nose.
- Is it hard for you to get the nasal strips to stick together? Keep your fingers on the tape once you have placed it on your nose, gently pressing for one or two minutes. This will help the adhesive to form a joint closer to your skin.
- Stock up on nasal strips before the cold and flu season. This way, you will have them at hand when you need relief from nasal congestion that comes with these common ailments.
- If you are allergic to latex, look for nasal strips made of latex-free materials. Due to the prevalence of latex allergy, many brands offer this type of product.
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Nasal Strips One Of Many Options To Cut Down On Nighttime Congestion Snoring
Snoring and having nasal congestion can be frustrating for both you and your family.
The congestion and snoring can keep both you and your partner from getting a restful nights sleep.
One option to help with nighttime congestion and snoring is over-the-counternasal dilator strips, according to the American Rhinologic Society .
The strips are worn across your nose to open your sinus passages and help you breathe. Each flexible strip is spring-like and fits on the outside of your nose just above where your nostrils flare out.
Put the strip on your nose using the sticky side, and it should stay in place through the night. Because the strips are flexible, they try to straighten back out once stuck to the natural curve of your nose. When they do this, they lift both sides of your nose. The lifting is what helps you to breathe easier. The lifting opens your nasal passages, reduces snoring, and eases nighttime congestion.
According to the National Institutes of Health , one study of nasal strips showed they help decrease snoring and reduce sleepiness. The study did not include anyone withsleep apnea or any other serious sleeping or breathing issues.
Though nasal strips can help improve nighttime congestion and snoring for some people, they arent the right fix for everyone.
Your doctor can help you decide what options might be the best for you to combat nighttime congestion and reduce snoring.
How Do Breathe Right Nasal Strips Work
Each Breathe Right® nasal strip is uniquely engineered with flexible spring-like bands that gently stick to the area right above the flare of each nostril. As the bands attempt to straighten back to their original shape, they gently lift the sides of the noseinstantly opening your nose for relief you can feel right away.
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Reduce Alcohol Consumption & Stop Smoking
Drinking alcohol relaxes throat muscles which control breathing, leading to symptoms like snoring and interrupted sleep cycles. On the other hand, cigarette smoke contributes to airway swelling. This could cause airway congestion that could worsen your sleep patterns and increase frequency of obstructive respiratory events .
If you’re looking to improve your sleep and eventually get rid of sleep apnea, it helps to quit smoking and limit the amount of alcohol that you consume. You might not think about what you do every day influencing your overall health, but the truth is that it plays an important role in everything from sleeping habits to general wellness.
Simple lifestyle changes such as abstaining from alcohol and smoking may be a good first step in getting healthier!
Best Nasal Strip For Snoring
Nasal strips have been used to relieve nasal congestion caused by colds and allergies for some time, but did you know that they are also used to combat snoring? This is because snoring is often a by-product of nasal congestion. In this article, you will learn how these simple devices can help you and your partner sleep better and provide you with an overview of the best nasal snoring strips sold today.
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Simple Changes To How You Sleep What You Do Before Bed Could Help
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. While some snoring can be a signal of a real medical issue, not all snoring is a sign of a potentially life threatening situation. But, we do know benign snoring can threaten your relationship if its keeping your partner from getting a good nights sleep.
So what can you do to quiet snoring? First, you may be wondering about nasal strips which stick on your nostrils to open them wider, allowing more air to pass through your nose. Since theyre inexpensive, News4Jax spoke to Consumer Reports to see if they may be worth buying.
Nasal strips dont always work, said Consumer Reports Health Editor Diane Umanski. Some research suggests that nasal strips may help reduce snoring in people without obstructive sleep apnea , but results have been mixed. According to UpToDate, which looks at and consolidates medical evidence to help doctors make recommendations to patients, its reasonable to try nasal strips if you dont have OSA.
So, if the snoring is due to nasal issues like congestion, you can see if they work for you. But, Umanski says you can also try the following lifestyle strategies to help keep your airway open:
- Elevate your head and sleep on your side
- Avoid alcohol at least 4 hours before bed
- Quit smoking
- Lose weight
If these steps dont work, Consumer Reports says its probably time to call a doctor who can test you for OSA.
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Does Mouth Taping Help With Snoring
Mouth taping might be beneficial as a snoring treatment. In a study of people with mild obstructive sleep apnea, wearing a porous patch over the mouth caused all the participants to breathe through their nose, and it changed the angle of the palate and the tongue. These changes led to significantly less snoring and fewer instances of lapsed breathing.
Researchers have not yet examined if or how mouth taping impacts snoring in people who do not have obstructive sleep apnea. As a result, more research is needed to say with certainty whether mouth taping can effectively treat snoring due to other causes.
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Home Remedies: Stop The Snoring
As many as half of adults sometimes snore. Snoring occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, which creates those irritating sounds. Sometimes snoring may indicate a serious health condition. In addition, snoring can be a nuisance to your partner.
Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding alcohol close to bedtime or sleeping on your side, can help stop snoring.
In addition, medical devices and surgery are available that may reduce disruptive snoring. However, these aren’t suitable or necessary for everyone who snores.
Proven Treatments For Sleep Apnea
According to Mayo Clinic, if you have moderate-to-severe sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatment options:
Continuous positive airway pressure Therapy: The American Sleep Association reports that this is the most effective treatment for moderate-to-severe OSA symptoms. It consists of a CPAP machine connected to a tube and a mask you wear while sleeping. The machine continuously pushes air through the mask, which helps keep the airway open during sleep.
Other airway pressure devices: If your symptoms are not entirely relieved with CPAP, you may try other types of airway pressure devices like a BiPAP or an Auto-CPAP machine, states Mayo Clinic. A BiPAP machine produces two different air pressures during inhalation and exhalation, while an Auto-CPAP machine automatically adjusts air pressure according to your requirements during sleep.
Oral appliances: These are custom-fit oral devices that you wear while sleeping, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. They prevent the airway from collapsing by holding the tongue and your lower jaw in a position thats more optimal for airflow. Oral appliances are usually recommended for those who experience discomfort with CPAP therapy.
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Risk Factors For Snoring
Snoring affects both men and women of all ages. Even children can snore. But it is more common as we age and the muscles and tissues in the back of the throat relax. The exact percentage of people that snore is not clear since not everyone knows they do it. But research published in The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine indicates that up to 45 percent of men and 25 percent of women report habitual snoring.
Snoring can occur only occasionally, or it might be every night. When snoring does occur, the noise and disruption can make sleeping difficult for your partner. It can also decrease the quality of your sleep.
There are several risk factors for snoring, such as having a deviated septum or enlarged tonsils. Other structural abnormalities that may block airflow, such as nasal polyps, might also be a risk factor for snoring. Snoring is also sometimes a symptom of sleep apnea, which caused brief pauses in breathing while you sleep. to take a one minute online assessment to gauge your risk factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Even a cold or allergies, which block the nose can temporarily cause snoring.
Treating snoring is essential to get proper rest. Some people may be hesitant to get help for snoring because they think treatment is invasive, uncomfortable, or they just dont know their options. One possible treatment for snoring, which might be effective, is snoring strips.
How To Try Mouth Taping
If youre interested in trying mouth taping, talk to a doctor first to make sure its safe for you. Heres how to get started:
Before taping your mouth before sleep, consider trying out this technique for a short time during the day to help acclimate yourself to the process. This can help you practice breathing through your nose during the day, too.
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At Home Remedies To Minimize Symptoms Of Osa
Now that we know that nasal strips do not have a significant impact on your obstructive sleep apnea, lets chat about what effective things you can do at home to decrease your symptoms.
- Lose weight if you’re overweight. Easier said than done, we know. But the fact is that if you are carrying additional weight OSA is more prevalent. Even a small decrease in your weight can improve your symptoms.
- Exercise regularly. It comes hand in hand with losing weight. But routine exercise doesn’t just improve your overall health but also has a positive influence on your OSA.
- Drink alcohol moderately. Or dont at all. But if you must then try to avoid drinking before bed. Alcohol has many negative effects on your sleep.
- Quit smoking. This one is fairly straightforward. Smoking or any type of inhalant decreases your lung’s ability to take in oxygen. But a truly impressive thing about our body is that once we quit smoking, it begins to repair itself.
- Use a nasal decongestant or allergy medications. Wait a minute, what about nasal strips? Well, nasal strips serve their purpose. If youve ever been congested or are an allergy sufferer you can understand. They do help keep your nasal cavities open. Nasal decongestants or allergy medications work within the body to reduce inflammation and mucus blockage, which is different than nasal strips.
How Nasal Strips Work
Despite their straightforward design, nasal strips are unique in their function. They are made of flexible bands with adhesive to stick to your nose. They are placed right above the flare of your nostril.
The bands work to return to their straight shape. As their work to return to their flat design they lift the inflamed nostrils to allow more airflow during times of allergies, cold, congestion and deviate septums.
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Two Is Better Than One
Nasal strips were created to help reduce snoring and open up nasal passageways. The concept is pretty straightforward: open the nostrils and air will be able to move through the nose with ease. But when you sleep, your jaw relaxes, which leads to the mouth falling open nasal strip or not. When the mouth falls open, that means mouth breathing. Mouth breathing is harmful to your overall health, since it causes dry mouth, poor oral health, and worsens nasal congestion. It can also worsen the symptoms of other pre-existing illnesses and cause lowered immune function. This renders nasal strips almost useless since snoring and other mouth breathing issues are still possible.
If you want to maximize nose breathing and your defense against snoring, using mouth strips and nasal strips together makes for a dynamic duo. When you combine the power of nasal strips and mouth strips, your lips remain zipped while the nostrils dilate. This means optimal airflow through the nostrils while ensuring that you keep nasal breathing all night long.
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How Do They Work For Deviated Septum Sufferers
Millions of Canadians have a deviated septum – a bend in the cartilage or bone that separates the nostrils. Symptoms include an airflow blockage through one or both nostrils, difficulty sleeping, chronic nasal stuffiness, and loud breathing or snoring. While Breathe Right® nasal strips should not be considered an alternative to surgical correction, they can provide temporary relief by allowing air to pass more easily through the blocked nasal passage.
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Central Sleep Apnea Causes And Risk Factors
Like obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is more common in men and people over the age of 65. But unlike obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea is often associated with serious illness, such as heart disease, stroke, neurological disease, or spinal or brainstem injury. Some people with obstructive sleep apnea can also develop central sleep apnea when theyre being treated with positive airway pressure devices.
Can I Use Nose Strips Instead Of Cpap For My Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a very common condition where the muscles and tissues around the area of your throat close off air from entering your lungs when you are asleep. As a result, people will often snore and even stop breathing for periods of time in their sleep. This causes folks to not have the restful sleep at night that they need and develop fatigue and sleepiness during the day. In addition, having sleep apnea puts you at risk for many conditions, including high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. This is in part because your oxygen levels can drop when you stop breathing at night, which in turn strains your heart. If you suddenly wake up in the middle of the night feeling short of breath, it might be because your oxygen level is dropping from sleep apnea. The strain in your heart also releases a substance called ANP from the heart muscle, which in turn causes someone to urinate. So if you notice having to get up multiple times a night to go to the bathroom, you may not have sugar or prostate problems, it may in fact be that you have sleep apnea. The most common therapy used for sleep apnea is CPAP, which keeps your airway open by blowing in air at set pressures. Because some patients are uncomfortable using CPAP, they often ask about other treatments for sleep apnea. Many feel that because external nose strips like Breathe Right improve snoring, it is also treating their sleep apnea.
References:
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What Is A Cpap Device And How Does It Work
A CPAP device is a machine that uses a hose and airtight nosepiece or mask to deliver a steady stream of air as you sleep. The air pressure helps keep your airway open, preventing pauses in breathing.
CPAP technology is constantly being updated and improved, and the new CPAP devices are lighter, quieter, and more comfortable than they used to be. So even if youve given up on them in the past, you owe it to yourself to give them a second look.
