Can Sleep Apnea Cause Depression?

Sleep deprivation is a growing health concern in the world today. The advent of technology allowed people to do things they usually do during the day at night. Back then, you have no choice but to hit the sack once nighttime falls because even late night TV shows don’t stay up that late. But like with most things here on the planet, it is a thing of the past. Nowadays, you can even work at night. There are gadgets you can use that will work well any time of the day and Internet connectivity is at its finest and fastest.

The world may have become more interesting but it has also compromised our health in the process. It’s as if humans don’t have a lot on our plate already with diseases and other health conditions constantly putting our health (and lives) at risk. One of which is sleep apnea. This condition affects millions of people all over the world and is one of the major reason a lot of people are losing sleep every single day. One group are the snorers themselves while the other group is the unfortunate spouses who have to put up with the loud snoring sound their partners make.

Losing sleep itself is a depressing fact. Sleep is a recuperative process that allows the human body to recharge and ready itself for the new day. And now, studies actually prove the relationship between chronic lack of sleep and depression.

What causes a mood disorder like major depression or bipolar disorder? Psychiatrists say a combination of genetics, trauma, and a neurochemical imbalance. Now we find another aspect, which carries significant weight. A new study finds that disrupted circadian rhythms—our natural internal body clock, can contribute to these conditions. Researchers at the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Glasgow, in the UK, conducted the study. Their results were published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry.  

Sleep disruption is a common symptom among those with a mood disorder. There’s a chicken and egg thing going on here. Does a mood disorder disrupt sleep or does disrupted sleep cause (or worsen) a mood disorder? Most previous studies have looked at the connection subjectively.

(Via: http://bigthink.com/philip-perry/depression-is-tied-to-disrupted-circadian-rhythms-uk-scientists-find)

The study discovered that frequent disruptions of our body clock can make a person more prone to depression. Even without science’s explanation, it is easy to understand why you can easily fall into a deep depression because you always lose sleep. Can you imagine what it feels like after being forced to wake up when you feel you haven’t slept a wink at all? Or how about the fact that you stayed up all night tossing and turning, unable to drift off to sleep no matter how tired you feel.

Even without other distractions, sleep apnea alone can put you into that category where you always lose sleep. The loud snoring is a major factor. The frequent breathing gaps or even unconscious gasping for breaths are also reasons why your sleep are disrupted. With depression in the equation, the problem just worsens and it is your health that ultimately suffers.

The study found that excessive daytime sleepiness and severe obstructive sleep apnea were individually associated with the prevalence and onset of depression - with the combination of both associated with even greater risk.

Obstructive sleep apnea is estimated to affect 1 in 2 men and 1 in 5 women, but up to 82% of cases are undiagnosed, according to the researchers.

Men with an undiagnosed sleep disorder and excessive daytime sleepiness - which is a primary symptom of sleep apnea - were found to be four times more likely to have depression than peers who did not have a sleep disorder. Men with a diagnosed sleep condition, meanwhile, were found to be twice as likely as peers without a sleep disorder to have depression.

(Via: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/294262.php)

CPAP is the best treatment for sleep apnea but people aren’t too thrilled in using it since it isn’t the most comfortable thing to use in your sleep. If you don’t do something about it, your depression may worsen. The combination of no sleep + depression can be deadly as sleeplessness is a health risk already and depression can drive people over the edge and even cut their own lives. Males are at highest risk given that they have a natural tendency to downplay their feelings and not seek help even when their condition is bad.

It is a good thing if you don’t have depression yet. You can still prevent falling into this desperate situation by reducing your risk for it. Sleep better even if you have sleep apnea. Use sleep apnea mouthpieces that work similar to CPAP but are more inexpensive and easier to use like SnoreRx. There is no reason for you to get depressed if it can be avoided. If you already have depression, get checked for both depression and sleep apnea and make baby steps to wellness rather than continue living in a constant state of sleeplessness.

The following post Can Sleep Apnea Cause Depression? Read more on: SnoringMouthpieceReview.org

source https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/snorerx/can-sleep-apnea-cause-depression

The Cost Of Getting A Good Night’s Sleep

People will go to great lengths just to be able to sleep soundly again. Some even shell out the extra dough for treatments and services that promise a better and longer shuteye even just for a while. Sleep, or better yet, the lack of it, has a major impact on people’s lives. You perform poorly at school or at work and always feel sleepy during the day. You even raise your risk of getting injuries or into accidents because you feel drowsy most of the time.

There are different reasons for sleep deprivation. Sleep apnea and restless leg are two of them but it can also be caused by other distractions. It is more difficult for people whose sleeplessness they have no control over with. Like with sleep apnea, there is little you can do about it given that it is still incurable. However, there are plenty of sleep management procedures and products one can try to help them overcome their sleep issues. But prior to treatment, a person is often asked to undergo a sleep study. This in itself is quite costly already and not all the time covered by insurance. Once the results are in can treatment really begin. Yet throughout this entire ordeal, you have to ensure your pocket is deep because diagnosis to management does not come cheap.

A lot of people are spending that much and more in search of the elusive good night’s sleep.

More than a third of Americans don’t get the recommended seven hours of shut-eye and as many as 70 million people have a chronic sleep disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Center on Sleep Disorder Research.

Sleep studies, the gold standard for diagnosing sleep disorders, are such big business that the number of accredited sleep centers across the nation has soared from 500 in 2000 to 2,600 today.

Independence Blue Cross, the largest private insurer in the Philadelphia region, has seen a 28 percent increase in the number of sleep studies it has been billed for over the last five years, with about 32,390 studies in 2017 alone.

(Via: http://www.philly.com/philly/health/health-costs/high-cost-of-a-good-nights-sleep-20180606.html)

The sleep industry is a thriving one these days. Not only do they cater to patients with disorders or conditions that prevent them from getting a restful sleep like sleep apnea but individuals whose lifestyle prevents them from enjoying a good night’s sleep also spend a fortune to somehow give their tired bodies the rest it needs because no amount of money can essentially take the place of a long and restful slumber.

No matter how pricey these treatments are, people who are really struggling with sleep do not hesitate to pay for it because it is their chance to become normal again. If you opt to buy sleep apnea mouthpieces such as the GMSS and SleepTight to address snoring and sleep apnea, it is also an additional expense but a slightly cheaper option compared to an invasive surgery or CPAP.

1. Soak up some sunshine

Expose your eyes to light first thing in the morning by opening your blinds and turning on your lights as soon as you wake up. Take a walk outside in the morning and over your lunch hour — you'll get exercise and healing light at the same time. If you have a window in your office, position your desk so that you face it, or are at least perpendicular to the window.

2. Rethink your lighting

If you're stuck in a windowless office all morning, invest in the LED light bulbs created by Definity Digital. Their "Awake and Alert" light bulb produces blue light to keep you awake, and it's bright enough to help affect sleep-wake cycles. You can also use a special bulb like Definity Digital's "Good Night" light bulb, which filters out the blue light in the afternoon and evening, when it's best to avoid fluorescent and LED lighting.

(Via: http://www.businessinsider.com/sleep-help-how-to-fall-asleep-restless-insomnia-mental-health-doctor-2018-5)

You should no longer be proud that you are losing sleep because of too much work. Learn to care for your body first or all your nasty habits or negligence will take its toll on your health over time. When you are getting insufficient sleep, everything else in your body suffers. If you are not blessed with having a deep pocket, then you can try more natural remedies that help address sleeplessness. But they only serve as an adjunct management to your treatment plan if you are diagnosed with a condition like sleep apnea because it warrants medical attention.

Making positive lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your life without hurting your finances. One of the best things you can do for yourself is to distance yourself from too much electronics especially when it is nearing your bedtime. They emit harmful blue light that can mess up your body’s circadian rhythm and further mess up your chances of sleeping soundly through the night. Do your research because you don’t always have to spend money in order to do something good for your health and well- being.

The Cost Of Getting A Good Night’s Sleep was initially seen on TSMR

source https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/sleeptight/the-cost-of-getting-a-good-nights-sleep

The Increasing Prevalence Of Sleep Apnea

Some may still not be aware of what sleep apnea is but may already have the condition. Its most prominent symptom is snoring and a lot of people are guilty of snoring in their sleep even if they aren’t aware of it. Yet it does not follow that all snorers have sleep apnea. Regardless of this fact, statistics show that sleep apnea cases are rising even if not everyone actually does get themselves checked and treated for it. We are not just talking about mere thousands of cases but almost a billion people suffering from this condition. That’s how prevalent sleep apnea has become and made the sleep market grow exponentially big.

A lot of things contribute to sleep apnea. It is essentially a physical anomaly that leaves a person with a narrower or constricted airway but other things can also make you lose sleep such as obesity, lifestyle, too much use of tech gadgets, hormonal problems, etc. There was a time when people were proud that they are losing sleep because it means they are working way too hard than necessary. But not anymore. People today spend a great deal of fortune to get their lost sleep back because it is the right thing to do. Health is wealth. It is the biggest cliché in the world that truly matters.

A new data analysis presented by ResMed last week at the ATS 2018 International Conference, indicates that sleep apnea affects more than 936 million people worldwide — nearly 10 times greater than previous estimates.

The study, “Global Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” was conducted by an international panel of leading researchers seeking to provide a clear scope of the impact of the chronic sleep-disordered breathing condition. The previous estimation of OSA prevalence (100 million) came from a 2007 World Health Organization study that used methods and data available at the time. By analyzing technology improvements in detecting OSA and under-reported statistics from other areas of the world, this latest study depicts an impacted population significantly larger than previously identified.

(Via: http://www.hollandsentinel.com/entertainmentlife/20180529/nearly-1-billion-people-worldwide-have-sleep-apnea-sleep-experts-estimate)

The statistics are staggering. This many people are tossing and turning each night unable to sleep. We are not even counting their unfortunate partners or spouses who have to endure the noise their snoring partner makes. It is a grim picture and it is also the driving force behind the massive growth and sales of the sleep market. Even if not everyone who has sleep apnea gets tested for the condition and get diagnosed, the sheer number of those who do get identified is still mind-blowing.

Let us not forget that sleep apnea is a chronic condition. It won’t resolve on its own nor is there a cure for it anytime soon. Unless you seek treatment, you expose yourself to unnecessary risks on a daily basis. It is not necessary that you undergo surgery or wear CPAP every time you sleep but there are convenient sleep apnea mouthpieces like Good Morning Snore Solution and SnoreRx that you can wear that works well and stops the loud snoring too without putting a big dent on your wallet.

About the study
In 2007, The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated more than 100 million people are affected by OSA, although they acknowledged that this figure was not based on robust data.

The aim of this new study, “Global Prevalence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: Estimation Using Currently Available Data,” is to estimate the global adult prevalence of OSA. Researchers identified 16 countries with published prevalence papers based on objective sleep studies and applied findings to areas previously under-quantified. After data review, estimates were extrapolated based on the global adult population aged 30 to 69 years. Prevalence statistics were applied to population numbers in each country based on the corresponding gender and body mass index (a key risk factor for OSA). OSA prevalence was estimated based on severity of the disease as measured by the apnea–hypopnea index.

(Via: https://www.homecaremag.com/news/study-shows-sleep-apnea-more-common-previously-thought)

If the problem is genetic or anatomical in nature, then you have little control over it but to get yourself checked and undergo treatment the soonest time possible. Children can be checked too and if surgery is necessary, it is usually done early on as well. If you don’t, you unnecessarily put your health on harm’s way since there is not enough oxygenated blood in circulation that can have a negative impact on your health over time.

If snoring is such a big bother to you, consult a doctor. There is no harm if you seek professional advice because there might be something triggering your snoring, such as sleep apnea, for instance. You should understand that while you often sacrifice sleep when you can get away with it, it is not a healthy practice. Sleep does so much for your body even if you are not aware of it. Get treated for sleep apnea and get your lost sleep back little by little and enjoy the many benefits sleep offers us once more.

The following article The Increasing Prevalence Of Sleep Apnea was initially published to The Snoring Mouthpiece Review Blog

source https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/good-morning-snore-solution/the-increasing-prevalence-of-sleep-apnea

Sleep Apnea, Mouthpieces And Your Sleep

Sleeping with someone who snores can be stressful as you also lose sleep each night. But the danger is actually twice as bad for the snoring partner because this condition, while it may appear funny and embarrassing to some, is actually a major health risk. Snoring is usually a major symptom of sleep apnea. This sleeping condition causes the person to suffer from constant breathing gaps in their slumber, lasting from several seconds and occur all throughout their sleep. The human brain is essentially choosing between breathing and sleeping in your slumber, meaning you can easily die in your sleep without you knowing.

It is quite common but only a handful get themselves checked for it. Many of these people simply dismiss the snoring thinking it is one of those things you have to accept in life. But how badly mistaken they are. It may not follow that those who snore have sleep apnea but the majority of sleep apnea sufferers snore in their slumber. Having TMJ can actually make it worse! This can go on for years and it significantly puts your health at risk. You are predisposed to other more chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke if not treated promptly.

Some 90 million American adults snore, according to sleepfoundation.org, and many could find relief with general health solutions. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night if you snore, for example, or losing weight since overweight people can have extra throat tissues that contribute to snoring. 

There are also expensive, extensive solutions like oral devices, according to dentist Gene Sambataro. The mandibular advancement device designed to remove obstructions in the airway, for example, "is one of the most widely-accepted dental appliances for the treatment of sleep apnea, useful in forcing the lower jaw down and forward slightly," he says. 

(Via: https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/odd-but-effective-ways-stop-snoring/UilcBeHzvPGy7dY1X3fJeN/)

Not getting enough sleep is a major risk factor in itself. There is no cure yet to snoring but it does not mean it can’t be managed. You don’t even have to go under the knife or sleep with a CPAP mask on to beat sleep apnea because there is a growing list of handy and more cost-effective solutions to snoring like anti-snoring gadgets among many others that can reduce the risk of sleep apnea and put an end to your loud snoring.

Examples of these oral mouthpieces are ZQuiet and SnoreRx that are quite affordable and enable the person to sleep better at night without making loud noises that can also disrupt their partner’s sleep.

It’s been hard to ignore the proliferation of sleep brands, most notably Casper, the direct-to-consumer company whose ads cover subway walls and pop up in podcasts. In 2015, I succumbed to the brand’s cheery messaging—notably the three little pigs cuddled up with the Big Bad Wolf. Their free shipping and surprising risk-free 100-night test drive, some version of which is offered by most companies now, led me to buy the one model they offered at the time, which used memory foam instead of traditional spring coils. But now it was clear we were fed up with sharing that bed, which wasn’t doing it for us and only made my twitching worse.

We first tested what are known as hybrid mattresses—those with a mix of memory foam and innerspring coils—in the optimistic hope that we’d both be instantly pleased. According to Natalie Dautovich, a scientist for the National Sleep Foundation, hybrid styles are popular because they serve as a compromise for many couples. “There’s softer, more body-conforming memory foam,” Ms. Dautovich said, “but then there’s an innerspring core for the partner who will want more support.”

(Via: https://www.wsj.com/articles/rough-time-sleeping-next-to-your-partner-these-technologies-might-help-1524160609)

There is no quick fix when it comes to sleep apnea. It takes continued use of these devices as well as making certain lifestyle changes in conjunction with the medical management as prescribed by a sleep specialist. Aside from oral mouthpieces, there are other sleep accessories you can use that will enhance your sleep in the form of pillows, mattresses, blankets, etc. that are specially manufactured now to target the snoring market.

There is no more need for partners to fight anymore every time a partner snores but more importantly than that, reducing the risk on their help caused by sleep apnea and chronic sleep deprivation more than makes up for the additional costs these innovative sleep products entail. We all are unique, so try whatever interests you and you feel can better address your snoring problem and find out which one works best for you. You may need to mix and match 2 or more of these snoring solutions but it is a must because you can’t just keep on losing sleep anymore.

Sleep Apnea, Mouthpieces And Your Sleep See more on: The Snoring Mouthpiece Review

source https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet/sleep-apnea-mouthpieces-and-your-sleep

How Effective Are Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces?

Sleep is a human necessity but it is becoming more of a luxury as the days go by. There are different distractions that prevent you from sleeping. You actually don’t mind at times that you are losing sleep because you enjoy all these distractions. You like surfing the web. Playing games on your smartphone or video games. There are tons of shows to watch on TV or on the web. You can chat with friends on social media. Unfortunately, there are also conditions that can prevent you from getting enough sleep each night like sleep apnea.

People often associate sleep apnea with snoring because most people with the condition snore. However, not all snorers have sleep apnea. Many people find snoring funny but it is actually a deadly condition. People can die from it because you essentially stop breathing for several seconds multiple times in your sleep. It is not uncommon to see people waking up gasping for air in the middle of the night and not remember a thing the following morning.

Until now, there is no known treatment for sleep apnea just yet but there are treatments that can minimize symptoms, reduce the risk, and improve a person’s life. Surgery isn’t always an option for everyone because of the risks involved. The gold standard is CPAP which stands for continuous positive airway pressure. It delivers air via a mask, which can make it quite a bit uncomfortable when wearing one in your sleep.

A continuous positive airway pressure machine and wearing a mouthpiece have been found to be the most successful treatments for obstructive sleep apnea in helping nighttime breathing, according to a report issued by AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). The authors said the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine was backed by the most compelling evidence. The mouthpiece is called MAD (mandibular advancement device)
The comparative effectiveness review was done by researchers at the Tufts Medical center Evidence-based Practice Center for AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program.
The authors of the report stress that all treatments have potential side effects.
The authors explained that approximately 12 million Americans are thought to suffer from sleep apnea. Most likely, there are several more millions who are currently undiagnosed.

(Via: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232503.php)

But since compliance rate is very low among CPAP users, it might be better to use a sleep apnea mouthpiece rather than not do anything at all about your condition. These oral appliances aren’t as great as CPAP but these devices make breathing easier and stop you from snoring too, which can make a world of difference to your partner who has to put up with the loud sound and for you as well.

The market is now littered with different types and brands of sleep apnea mouthpieces that may make choosing a bit difficult especially if you are quite clueless about these things. You need to know what works for you first. There are mouthpieces you can customize and not. Some correct your jaw while others don’t. Brands like ZQuiet (review is here) and VitalSleep are good choices for starters.

Dentists specializing in dental sleep medicine (or oral sleep medicine) supply and fit oral appliances to prevent snoring, usually in the form of a mandibular advancement splint (MAS). This device forces the lower jaw forward, increasing the air cavity at the back of the throat. They're very effective – as long as people can tolerate using them.

Experts say the newer appliances are more comfortable than the bulky mouthguards of old, and are good for people with apnoea who can't tolerate the CPAP machine (see below). The best devices are those customised to the individual – 'boil and bite' models are a lot cheaper, but not as effective.

You may need to go to the dentist a few times in the first few months for adjustments. You'll also need to get checked once a year for permanent movements of the jaw and teeth, which are not uncommon. Other potential negatives include dry mouth, irritation, dental discomfort and pain around the joint of the jaw.

(Via: https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/conditions/trouble-sleeping/articles/anti-snoring-products)

Sleep apnea mouthpieces, while a long way from what a traditional CPAP can offer, is a good enough choice for individuals with sleep apnea who haven’t yet decided how to get themselves treated. They’re also priced reasonably and most offer a free trial with 100% money-back guarantee. With that being said, you can literally use the first mouthpiece free of charge and if you aren’t happy with it, you can just send it back and not pay anything at all. Well, at least you have to cover for shipping.

So, try one now. You don’t need to suffer by yourself when help is readily available. Sleep apnea may be incurable but it is definitely manageable.

How Effective Are Sleep Apnea Mouthpieces? was initially seen on SnoringMouthpieceReview.org

source https://snoringmouthpiecereview.org/zquiet/how-effective-are-sleep-apnea-mouthpieces