Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes a pause in breathing during sleep. The pauses can last just a few seconds up to several minutes and can occur up to 30 times per hour. Normal breathing resumes after the pause, but there is usually a snort or choking sound when breathing resumes. It is a chronic condition and it can be fatal. It prevents quality sleep from occurring and it is often related to weight. It is also believed to be the leading cause of daytime fatigue. The condition can be difficult to diagnose unless a patient spends time at a sleep clinic. Symptoms can mimic those of other diseases and patients sometimes visit the doctor because they are tired or experiencing other problems in addition to sleep apnea. The most common cause of sleep apnea is a collapsed airway. The blockage causes shallow breathing and complete pauses in breathing. Typically, people who are overweight experience this type of sleep apnea. It is different from central sleep apnea which occurs when the area of the brain that controls breathing does not send signals to the breathing muscles.

Most people who experience central sleep apnea do not snore. Untreated sleep apnea is a serious problem and can increase a person’s risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, and stroke. It can also worsen heart failure and make the occurrence of irregular heartbeats more likely. Because it worsens fatigue, it can also increase the chances of car crashes and work-related accidents. Allergies can worsen problems with sleep apnea. Many people use a CPAP machine to cope with their sleep apnea, but if they suffer from allergies, the CPAP machine may not solve the problem. Symptoms of sleep apnea often mimic those of allergies because they cause breathing issues. Even people who have not identified a specific allergy might suffer from chronic rhinitis, which is linked to sleep breathing problems. A person with chronic rhinitis is sensitive to odors, pressure changes, and temperature. People might confuse the symptoms of chronic rhinitis, allergies, or sleep apnea, but it is possible for all three to be an issue for someone.

If you suffer from sleep apnea and allergies or chronic rhinitis are worsening the problem, there are several things you can do in addition to using your CPAP. air duct cleaning doylestown paIf the level of allergens are high, stay indoors as much as possible. meaco air purifierShower and wash your hair before going to bed if you have spent any time outdoors during the day. luna air purifierThis rinses away the pollen that builds up and contaminates your pillow at night. Use an air filter in your bedroom. An air filter removes allergens from the space and makes it easier to breath. Cleaner air with a purifier can make a major difference in the quality of a person’s sleep. A purifier filters all types of allergens out of the air, so it does not matter what causes your allergies.

It is possible to get a good night of sleep, even if you suffer from sleep apnea that is aggravated by allergies. Learn what changes you can make to your environment and invest in a quality air filter for your home. An air purifier can help with sleep apnea. Read Next: Asthma & How it is affected by Air Pollution Sleep Disorders, meds and air quality I will soon be taking a Sleep Study. I wonder if anyone else has undergone a sleep study or been diagnosed with a sleep disorder either before or after taking Lyrica?I actually find that I didn't find any difference. However, after taking Klonopin, I do not have trouble falling asleep and I do not stay up until all hours of the night a couple days a week.I wonder also if anyone on a CPAP has noticed any change in their symptoms. using an air purifier in their homes noticed any change in their symptoms. I am considering buying an air purifier before receiving the results of the sleep study and see if any symptoms improve.

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a few years ago, before even my fibro dx. Honey works in respiratory therapy. I can tell you that the CPAP will make a world of difference. Air purifiers help the air, but they don't help sleep apnea. I've used them too. Just a note, people with fibro and sleep apnea have a 90% chance of stroke, which is greatly improved with proper CPAP usage. Do the study and wear CPAP if you need it. Basically, the only times (and it seemed like forever) that I couldn t sleep at night was when I was going thru menopause. I went on about 3 hours sleep every night for probably 5 years.I have never been tested for sleep apnea because I sleep well most nights, except for being woke up by thigh pain once in awhile.Wendylynn, there are others here that have been tested or are going soon to sleep clinics. I m sure someone can add to Cornbreads' information and advice.Cornbread, what a scary per centage of possible stroke in people dx d with both Fibro and apnea !!!

I've been wanting to ask this for quite a while, but please forgive my ignorance. What exactly is a cpap, and what is it used for? Starr I was going to tell you what it was, but the picture is worth so much more. Can't you imagine going to bed with your hubby wearing one of those? Isorry but I would make fun of him for months. Starr,All I know is that there are b-paps and c-paps. My son has a b-pap and my husband has a c-pap. I blows air through a mask , kinda like a when you have an oxygen mask in the hospital kinda apparatis thingie. Anyway, it stimulates the person to breath during sleep and not stop, as well as holding the jaw a bit forward. Both my h and s stop breating when asleep and snore terribly with out them!!! Also the machine cycles to simulate sleep patterns ie REM, deep sleep, light sleep...etc. If they don't sleep with them - the next day they show signs of sever sleep deprivation... go figure. Thanks for the explanation. The first thing i was diagnosed with from the fibro was insomnia, my brain chems got really screwed up when i was in highschool and to this day i have sleeping problems, melatonin does nothing to me and i hate taking prescription meds to knock me out once im out of school i think i'm going to go back on restoril to try and establish a normal sleeping pattern again but right now that would be just too much for