What is Sleep Apnea?

A term many have heard and few actually understand, sleep apnea is a condition that affects thousands on a nightly basis. It can interrupt sleep, restfulness, and leave one tired, even after a “full” night of sleep. And without the sleeper even knowing what’s taking place. Thanks to ongoing studies that have helped advance diagnoses and treatments, it can be greatly reduced, if not cured altogether.

But what exactly is sleep apnea?

Recognized as a “disorder,” sleep apnea takes place wherethere are inconsistencies in a person’s breathing pattern throughout sleep. This can include pauses, shallow breaths, or irregular patterns through all cycles of sleep. Additionally, each pause is known to last between 10 seconds and multiple minutes, and can take place several times per hour (usually between 5 and 30 instances). Over time, this accounts for a large portion of the night. Because these breaks are so frequent, a person’s sleep time is cut down dramatically when suffering from sleep apnea.

However, few who suffer from sleep apnea realize it is taking place. They may wake up feeling tired or un-rested, but aren’t aware of their irregular breathing patterns. Other symptoms include vision problems, slow reaction time, or unclear thinking on a frequent basis. Though sleep apnea is known to affect each patient differently, including children and adults, which can lead to issues with self diagnosis.

The Diagnosis and Treatment

Generally, people become aware of sleep apnea when a friend or family member witnesses them sleeping. They may cough, wake frequently (without knowing it), or take breaks from breathing altogether. Others may seek the help of a sleep specialist after feeling tired for long periods of time. Then once the idea of a sleeping disorder is considered, doctors will perform an overnight “sleep study” to collect data. With the help of observation and special machines, a personalized diagnosis can be determined.

Next, doctors and patients can work together to find the best sleep apnea treatment; different methods will be taken based on the cause. For instance, those who experience lack of esophagus support can wear a mouthpiece that holds their throat/mouth into place. In other instances, low levels of oxygen or medications are also used to encourage deep breathing patterns.

To ensure a good night’s sleep, it’s important for apneapatients to start a proper treatment regimen. Through medications or facial-supporting devices, breathing patterns (and therefore sleeping) can be greatly improved.

If you think you may have sleep apnea, talk to your doctor about your testing and treatment options. 

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Achieve Better Pregnancy Back Support with Proper Pillows

During pregnancy, the body goes through an almost infinite amount of changes. There are obvious ones, like weight gain, stomach growth, and the swelling it can cause. But there are also unseen changes within the body, such as hormone levels and back pain – both of which can greatly affect one’s day. Just because these bodily adjustments aren’t obvious doesn’t mean they affect women any less.

One of the best ways to combat aches and pains associated with pregnancy is to get the proper back and stomach support. By resting, sleeping, or relaxing with a happy and sturdy back, women can increase their chances of reducing swelling or growing pains. This can be achieved by sitting on a firm, padded seat, placing a wedged pillow behind one’s back, sleeping on a slight incline, or supporting the belly with one or more pillows. These extra sleeping supplies are not only comfortable, but allow your growing body to easily adjust to its increase in size and weight.

Because of the placement of the baby, women can quickly and easily become uncomfortable. (After all, they’re gaining 20+ pounds all in one portion of their body.) This also affects everyday tasks like walking, sitting, and bending over.  Oftentimes these comfort levels are diminished at night, when the body sits still for long periods of time. And after a few weeks or even days, this can affect sleeping patterns and quality, making your growing body tired throughout the day.

Pillow Adjustments

It can be difficult to know how or when to upgrade one’s pregnancy pillows. For some women, back pain and general uncomfortable-ness is a long-term effect of being with child. However, for others, rearranging one’s pillows can greatly reduce pressure and stress.

To work toward an all-around supported body, ask yourself which body parts hold the most pain, the most pressure, and the most relief. If it’s your back, work with a wedge or rounded pillow to hoist up the lower back when sitting, and gently elevate the upper back while lying down. If it’s the stomach, lay on your side with a pillow underneath. And so on. By identifying and then alleviating the problem, you can work to create an easier, more comfortable pregnancy term.

However, please note that pillow support is only intended to help with minor aches. Intense or irregular pains should always be consulted by a doctor.

To get shopping for your new pregnancy pillow today, head to our products page.

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Beat Summer Allergens with Sleeping Habits

This time of year, breathing in the outdoor air can cause some serious side effects. Like sneezing, wheezing, coughing, and a number of other unattractive bodily functions. Much like the Disney dwarf, Sneezy, it just can’t be helped. No matter how many times a breath is held, a finger put under a nose, or just plugged all together, the sneeze still comes. From pollen, to dust, to ragweed, the warmer months bring on all types of irritating allergens. There’s little poor Sneezy and the rest of the allergic population can do.

Obviously, the easiest way to avoid these plants is to stay inside. But being cooped up all day is no fun, and by the time the allergies have passed, there may not be pleasant weather to enjoy. Medicines and other doctor treatments can help as well, but why not attack allergies from the inside out?

By adjusting sleeping habits, it’s easy to get a good night of rest, even when allergies are in full swing.

Staying Allergy Proof

·      Sleep with hypoallergenic supplies

• By ensuring pillows, blankets, mattresses, etc. are free from irritating substances, it’s easy to keep one’s bedroom breath-easy able. Opt for hardwood floors rather than carpets or rugs, or keep carpets clean by shampooing and vacuuming regularly. Air vents can also be vacuumed to remove dust or other nasty allergens. 

·      Adjust posture

• Propping up one’s head with an extra pillow, or using aspecialized neck or head support can help open up the sinuses … even when allergies are running amuck. This can also increase comfort for the nose and throat when excess drainage becomes present.

·      Stock up on tissues

• Keeping tissues or cough drops on hand can help ease the side effects of nasty allergies. 

·      Keep the windows closed

• Even on nice, calm nights, it may just be best to keep the windows shut. If fresh air can cause painful or uncomfortable side effects, keep the AC running rather than propping open the bedroom window.

·      Find the best sleeping position

• Sleeping on one’s back is great for some, while it can cause others to cough during the night. Try resting on the side or stomach to find a position that promotes the easiest breathing patterns.

·      Get a good night’s rest

• Though allergies don’t generally mean a person is “sick,” that doesn’t mean the body is under any less duress. Because your lungs are breathing in substances that have a foreign reaction, the body creates allergies to try and ward them off. This can make you tired, groggy, and in need of more rest. Be sure to catch plenty of sleep whenever allergies strike.

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Can Sleeping Habits Cause Headaches?

For most, sleeping is a time meant for both resting and relaxation. It’s comfy, a necessity, and often a treat at the end of a long day. Sleeping also allows bodies to recharge and gear up for new activities, while giving the brain a much needed break. If un-restful, however, it’s possible to wake up feeling tired, groggy, or in pain. All from not getting the proper amount of rest.

One of the most common post-sleep complaints are headaches. Despite having given the body the sleep it needs, people can still wake with head pain. For some, it can even become a chronic condition, greatly affecting their work and personal lives.

But what’s the cause? Can sleep – when interrupted – actually cause more health problems than it helps prevent? How can something meant for rest work against one’s health?  

Possible Headache Triggers

There are various stages of sleep, and waking in the middle may interrupt the brain from producing “feel good” chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals work to put the body in balance through health and attitude. But when woken too early, these levels can get out of whack, possibly leading to migraines or other milder headaches. The level of each headache can depend on a person’s specific chemical balance, their sleeping habits, and more. [WebMD]

As for sleeping with three pillows, or with one’s head in a jackknife position – that’s probably not helping pain levels either. Necks are sensitive areas, and straining them for long periods of time – even if it’s “comfortable” can cause pain later on. This fix could be as simple as purchasing a new pillow that offers better support for the head or neck.

However, with chronic or frequent headaches, it’s always important to talk to a doctor about what could be causing the pain. Between their expertise and the proper sleeping equipment, rest-induced headaches can be greatly reduced.

Ready for that new bed pillow?  Take a look at our Contour Cloud Pillow - It's our best selling bed pillow!

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The Benefits of the Folding Wedge Cushion

When reading, watching TV, or just trying to get comfortable, almost everyone has stacked their pillows into a propped position. Using one or more pillows, this toppling method helps raise the head while letting its creator lounge in the process. It may take consecutive minutes to achieve, but once in place, it’s a great way to hang out.

But what if there were a product that took care of the stacking on its own?

With the Folding Wedge Cushion, there’s no need to adjust and poke into place. Made for gradual inclines, this pillow allows sleepers to gain extra support without the effort. This bed wedge is great for sleeping, breathing patterns, and can help reduce various medical issues. Because the rise is gradual, it’s perfectly comfortable to sleep on all night – or fold it for reading or TV watching. This wedge pillow can morph into a number of different positions to meet your comfort and health needs.

What’s the Wedge?

The Contour Folding Wedge Cushion acts as a gentle support model, so sleepers can remain on an incline without feeling direct or sudden effects. This is ideal for natural sleeping habits, as it doesn’t interrupt comfort or body placement. Simply use the rising wedge underneath a traditional pillow (which gives important neck support), and feel the benefits of sleeping on a soft incline. 

 With the Folding Wedge, the head and upper body is slightly raised during sleep, which can help breathing patterns, especially during allergy or cold season. Choose the right height for you, or fold to gain extra lounging abilities before bed. It even comes with a removable velour pillowcase so your wedge is fresh and clean year-round. Zip it on for maximum staying power, or throw in the washer when it’s time to freshen up.

Other Benefits:

·       Encourages digestive comfort by slightlyelevating the upper body, which is great for reducing heartburn, GERD, and acid reflux.

·       Reduces muscle tension

·       Offers head and upper body support in a subtle manner. (No sharp turns or stiff boards here!)

·       Helps align the spine

The Folding Wedge pillow even comes in a variety of sizes – 7 inch, 10 inch, and 12-inch heights, to find the perfect fit.

Whether for medical use or just plain comfort, the Folding Wedge Cushion offers a great, universal fit to fulfill needs of all shapes and sizes.

Find out more about the FoldingWedge Cushion today.

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Achieve Better Sleep with the Right Temperature

Temperature Tune-Up (or Down!)

Much like Goldie Locks and the Three Bears, the temperature must be “just right.” The air temperature of your bedroom, that is. Not too hot and certainly not too cold. Finding a comfortable environment is one key to a better night’s sleep.

 As you’re turning in for the evening, your body ideally has reached  a comfortable equilibrium or middle ground, so when the air is too warm or too cool, the body is then made to work to achieve that “happy medium” it started out with.  Dr. H. Craig Heller, professor of biology at Stanford University says “A mild drop in body temperature induces sleep. Generally, if your are in a cooler room, it is easier for that to happen. But if the room becomes uncomfortably hot or cold, your are more likely to wake up which can also affect the quality dream state of REM sleep."

Recommending a universal room temperature for quality rest sounds simple enough, but realistically, experts find it more difficult as what may be a comfortable temperature for one is not necessarily comfortable for another.  Experts from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advise thinking “cave-like: cool, quiet and dark, an ideal setting for bats who are known for sleeping 16 hours at a time. They also suggest limit the layers of clothing you sleep in, including socks on your feet as they tend to increase body temperature. 

If your house or bedroom tends to be on the cool, drafty side, trapping cold air, perhaps a personal space heater would warm the room just enough to keep the thermostat bill from creeping too high. Consequently if the room tends to trap heat, keep the ceiling fan running at a constant speed to allow cooler air to circulate at a more comfortable rate. With more than 70 million Americans suffering from chronic sleep disorders and sleep problems, seeking relief from these tips are seemingly necessary and will help increase energy, health and safety.

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Back-A-Line Back Support Belt now at Contour

Find out why the Back-A-Line Dynamic Back Support Belt is the
most endorsed back support in America!

Why this belt is different:  Back-A-Line Back Supports improve your spinal mechanics: your back adjusts to the built-in curve of the patented “curved-and-firm” pad in the non-elastic belt, for dynamic muscle support, postural assistance, and improved spinal mechanics. Result? Your back works naturally and you get REAL BACK PAIN RELIEF!

See How Motorcycle Consumer News compared 6 different back support belts
and rated the Back-A-Line a "Best-Buy"

• Back-A-Line is the ONLY back support that truly supports the core midsection of the lower back, while strengthening back muscles and providing relief from back pain and injuries.
• Patented curve, firm lumbar pad provides the ideal surface for back support and proper posture.
• Non-stretch fabric is breathable, to reduce heat build-up and is washable.
• Extra hook and loop closure ensures a perfect fit and isometric resistance for abdominal muscles.

Here is an excerpt from a comparative test on six leading back support belts from Motorcycle Consumer News in March, 2012.    They compared the belts on six specific attributes and ultimately rated the Back-A-Line belt a "Best Buy"

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Introducing our new Contour Leg Pillow - The Cool Leg Pillow!

 

 Introducing our new Contour Leg Pillow - The Cool Leg Pillow!

• Two layers of foam:
  • A supportive foam core adds the structure and support you need plus
  • An outer layer of gel-infused memory foam which provides the plush feel o9f memory foam without the heat
• Features the same ergonomic design of all Contour Leg Pillows
• Includes a breathable quilted cover

Most orders ship by the next business day and are backed by our one year Contour Living Customer Care Warranty!

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The Kabooti Donut Cushion - All-Day Seating Comfort

The Kabooti Donut Cushion offers comfort to sore and sensitive areas by combining the best features and benefits of a ring shaped donut cushion, a Coccyx cushion and a traditional seating wedge.

With its many uses the Kabooti Donut Cushion packs a punch by providing all day comfort. This new and improved innovative design reduces tailbone pressure, improves posture, and reduces pressure points under the thighs. The Kabooti Donut Cushion can help comfort and relieve the pain of Prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain suffers, who have difficulty sitting for long periods of time. Prostatitis is inflammations of the prostate gland with four know types, acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis without infection and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. All are very painful, so having a Kabooti Seat Cushion while you heal can make your life a whole lot easier.

For people who suffer from hemorrhoids sitting on the Kabooti Donut Cushion can provide you with less pain and more comfort, allowing the sore area to heal up smoothly.

If you suffer from broke, bruised, hurt your coccyx (tailbone) you know how painful that can be. It is even more painful to site down which can cause real challenges. The Kabooti Donut Cushion offers a Coccyx cutout which helps reduce the pain and pressure in your tailbone, which in turn will make it easier to sit down. The Kabooti Donut Cushion can also help with general coccyx pain.

The Kabooti Donut Cushion can also be used if you suffer from any of the following:
·    Post-operative pain
·    Post-partum pain or tenderness
·    Pregnancy discomfort
·    Hip pain
·    General Anal pain
·    Back Pain and more.

Even if you don’t suffer from any of these conditions, you can still put the Kabooti Donut Cushion to good use. With the built in traditional seating wedge, the Kabooti Donut Cushion can be used as a traditional pillow allowing you to sit on any chair with ease and comfort. This is especially helpful if you need to sit at a desk or drive a car for long periods of time. The wedge shape and tapered design helps encourage body alignment, proper posture by slightly tilting the pelvis forward, complete support where you need it (tailbone, buttocks) and less support under thighs.  The wedge design also helps circulation under thighs. Having proper posture by slightly tilting the pelvis forward helps maintain the spine’s proper lumbar curve for low back comfort and pelvic support.

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Lumbuddy Back Cushion Review

Excerpt from a great review on our new LumBuddy back cushion:

"The LumBuddy is designed to encourage proper seating posture and avoid over extension of lumbar area. Never be without back support again. This portable support system can literally be taken anywhere you go. No need to worry about improper posture again. The LumBuddy has versatile straps in the back and comes with strap extensions, so it will fit most any chair you sit in and if not, just place it on the chair like I did (see below pics). With blogging daily (and choosing the wrong type of chair for typing - see picture), bending up and down in my flower garden, and long trips in the car, my back needs all the help it can get. ...."

See the full review here!

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