Regular Sleep Can Improve Your Mental Health

Everyone has woken up groggy, in fact, we've all done it a number of times. There's no denying that on these days, you feel less than prepared to take on the world. Rather than refreshed and energized after waking, you feel tired, cranky, and essentially like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Sometimes, this is just an unfortunate turn of events. For whatever reason, you weren't able to sleep soundly that night, and sometimes there's nothing that can be done. 

Other times, however, you set yourself up for failure. By going to bed too late (or waking up too early), not letting your mind calm down, or not sticking to a routine, you could actually be causing un-restful sleep through your habits. Because, without enough deep, productive sleep, your body just can't function like it should. Your brain isn't as quick, causing you to be slower with reactions, speech, and even body functions. In fact, reduced sleep, over time, can cause brain damage, memory loss, and have an effect on everyday mood. Just like we need sleep after a long day, the brain needs time to rest and recharge itself. 

Think of it like a battery. It's best to charge a phone, computer, etc. on a routine – once it's low, charge it completely. Failing to do so, or charging a little here and there can lower the battery's quality. Other times, a battery can be just fine – they, like the brain, are prone to different factors. 

However, by keeping a regular charge, or sleeping on a schedule, you can do your best to combat these negative side effects. Talk with your doctor or set a regular routine in order to give the brain, and the rest of the body, as much rest as possible.  

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Five Reasons Why Treating OSA is Important to Your Health

OSA or Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a breathing disorder that can have a devastating impact on your overall well-being, when left untreated. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is characterized by brief interruptions of normal breathing while sleeping. A disruption in a patient's breathing can last in duration from 10 seconds to a as high as minute or longer! Further, this disruption can occur 20 to 60 times per hour!

Over time, this condition can cause stress on your body, increasing the risk for many serious health problems including:

1. Studies have shown that Obstructive Sleep Apnea increases your risk for coronary artery disease, heart attack irregular heartbeat, and even congestive heart failure which can lead to heart disease.

2. If your Obstructive Sleep Apnea is severe, your blood pressure can raise to unhealthy levels.

3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea researchsuggests OSA can help lead to diabetes because it is associated w/impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body fails to use insulin effectively and is a leading cause of death in the USA.

4. A recent study in The Sleep Journal, provides evidence of possible brain damage which can occur in patient's who have Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

5. Obstructive Sleep Apnea can increase a patient's risk of stroke as well. OSA can interupt blood flow to the brain.

With proper physican guidance and CPAP therapy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a very treatable condition. Every CPAP therapy is different, and will be based on each person's medical history, a thorough physical examination and probably sleep studies. The commonly prescribed treatment is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy, or more commonly "CPAP Therapy". Continuous pressure provided by a air blower helps open the breathing airway while sleepingand helps prevent a lapse in breathing.

CPAP Therapy is very effective in many cases of Sleep Apnea, but, sometimes can present difficulties for various patients, especially in the areas of sleep discomfort associated with CPAP masks. The CPAP Pillow is available to help patients sleep comfortably, while wearing a CPAP mask, and still provide proper head and neck support. See the CPAP pillow at Contour Living today.

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