Sleep apnea is a condition that obstructs the airways whilst sleeping. Using a nasal cpap for sleep apnea can help eliminate the symptoms of this sleeping disorder. Sleep apnea occurs whilst sleeping, causing the patient to breath hold for a period of time, then releasing a loud, sometimes unnatural snore. When this happens, the heart rate speeds up, and blood pressure rises. This can often be associated with heart disease, obesity and daytime drowsiness. Most people will not realise they have this condition, until someone else tells them, whom sleeps with them. The reason I am writing this article, recently my husband had a heart attack, and has just been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. I wanted to know if the heart attack could have been avoided if early treatment of the sleep apnea was given. We will never know for sure, but I believe the risks could have been greatly reduced.

For the last ten years I have often spent nights in dispare over my husbands extremely loud snoring. Now, I am not just talking the occasional rumble, I mean this was great big bear sized snores, that rocked the entire foundations of the house, or so it felt. it has been the butt of many a joke throughout our network of friends and family, but the reality is a lack of sleep for all people who have to try to sleep around the person with the condition. Sleep apnea has become more known, as documentaries have been made regarding snoring, and sleep clinics are now the norm. I remember watching a TV show, and thinking they were the same symptoms. I had been trying to get him to see the doctor for some time, but men, being men, I had no luck.

It took a heart attack for him to finally mention my concerns to the doctor, and within a few weeks he was referred to a sleep clinic. At last, could I finally have that good night sleep?

Armed with the questionnaires we had been sent through the post, we tentatively entered the sleep unit. After a very short interview, my husband was given a wrist device, which would monitor his next two nights sleeping pattern. It was a Velcro wrist strap, with a finger monitor, easy to use, and comfortable to wear. We would return two days later for the results, and to determine whether he did in fact have sleep apnea.

On returning the graph was in no doubt that he was indeed not only having episodes of sleep apnea, but constantly having them. I was so shocked to see that every breath he appeared to take throughout the night was a breath hold. After looking at the answers from the questionnaires we had filled out, and the results from the two day graph, we were informed that there was indeed a treatment that could be undertaken. It was not a cure, but a treatment that would eliminate the sleep apnea for good.

Enter the machine that would change our lives, or so we hoped. The cpap machine is a very simple design. It is a black box, that sucks air from the room, and pushes it into the nasal area when breathing stops. In theory this should work, in reality it is much more difficult. We do have the option to return and change the mask, but felt we must give it a good go in order to see better results. To be able to have full use of this machine and nasal mask, you have to basically keep your mouth shut. Whilst you are awake this is somewhat easy to achieve, but when in a deep sleep, the mouth will fall open and a gust of air passes out of the throat. Instinct will make you shut your mouth, but this keeps happening throughout the night, and does in fact keep both of us awake. I have suggested some masking tape around the mouth, but the doctors would be horrified at this suggestion. Apart from this small problem, I would have to say that the nasal cpap is indeed working. There has been no snoring, and I do feel more refreshed in the mornings. My husband is struggling a little as it is difficult to turn in his sleep, when you are attached to such a cumbersome nasal mask, but bless him, he is trying. We have a follow up appointment in a few months, and I will keep all informed of the outcome for using a nasal cpap for sleep apnea.