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Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

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Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#81

If your doctor tells you to do a sleep study, do it. If, as a result, they tell you to get a CPAP, get it. Those things are life-changing. I felt like an old man at 50 years old. My back was so stiff I couldn't put on my socks. When I got out of bed in the morning I felt so fragile, like my joints were all inflamed - especially my Achilles' tendons. I was too tired to do anything beyond 6 pm. Now, 51, I feel totally…

That said, it's not always a magic bullet. I got a cpap after a sleep study found I had 80+ breathing interruptions in the short overnight test window. It easily brought them down to The value is absolutely there in the greatly reduced likelihood of death in my sleep, and the white noise is better than snoring when sleeping around others. But I wouldn't want to get people's hopes up about it providing them the bad sl…

Did you ever figure it out?

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#82
post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if it would be helpful to allow people who experience sleep issues to just get a CPAP machine and try it out, instead of having to go through a sleep study.

I bought a wearable blood oxygen meter as I was concerned I had apnea. A previous study was inconclusive (I don’t think I slept the whole night). If I sleep on my back, I’m certain I have apnea, but haven’t validated with the o2 meter. Sleeping on my stomach, my o2 levels were acceptable all night. Once I confirm apnea on my back, I’ll probably get another sleep study (I’ve gained at least 30lbs since the last), and…

> I bought a wearable blood oxygen meter as I was concerned I had apnea

Any recommendation?

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What prompted you to get one? Did you have any sleep issues, or was it just curiosity? If you had sleep issues, did it help?

I've had more and more trouble sleeping as I age, and in the past 2 years it's gotten way worse. I've tried all manner of things and had put off getting the dreem for a while since it was so expensive. I've been to the doctor who sent me for blood tests and also referred me to a urologist, but everything came back normal. My specific issue: I get up in the night to urinate consistently at least 1-2 times per night, a…

Thanks for the detailed answer!

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're all going to think I am a crazy, but I instead elected to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape right when I go to bed. This to me is superior and should be your first port. Not only did it fix my apnoea and huge lack of energy during the day, but also my chronic sinus issues that had plagued me for years. Its also a lot cheaper, much easier to use / travel with and gets me into a good habit of nose breathing duri…

> You're all going to think I am a nutball, but I instead started to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape Wait, while sleeping or during the day? If while sleeping, isn't it dangerous?

No, not at all. I heard it first from a dentist and its quite common, well more common than would be expected. Its also perfectly safe, if your nose becomes congested you rip it off in your sleep.

It fixed my apnoea and chronic sinus issues. Seems I was constantly developing nasal polyps from mouth breathing all night.

Here is a dentist recommending mouth taping:

https://askthedentist.com/mouth-tape-better-sleep/

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#85

If your doctor tells you to do a sleep study, do it. If, as a result, they tell you to get a CPAP, get it. Those things are life-changing. I felt like an old man at 50 years old. My back was so stiff I couldn't put on my socks. When I got out of bed in the morning I felt so fragile, like my joints were all inflamed - especially my Achilles' tendons. I was too tired to do anything beyond 6 pm. Now, 51, I feel totally…

This may sound crazy, but for those who can't tolerate a CPAP, an effective alternative is playing the didgeridoo.[1] Anecdotally my wife and kids were complaining about my snoring, and I bought one for $40 off Amazon. Not only has my snoring improved, but my lung capacity has improved. Plus it's just fun to play. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1360393/

Yes, fixing out the lung capacity, musculature of the diaphragm, throat, tongue, etc is really the cure. And loosing excess weight if that is the case. CPAP, while effective and life changing is a band aid that the medical industry can make money on. I don't hear anyone saying that the CPAP should be used in conjunction with restorative exercises. I'm glad you found this solution.

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#86
post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If only it was so easy. I was told, in Germany, I have to wait 2+ months for the next appointment.

That's the one consolation to those of us in the maddeningly expensive US system. You can usually find someone who will get you scheduled in very short order. Don't let the wait deter you. If you do need the machine, it can really improve your life.

In my country, the UK, it’s not unusual at all to have to wait 2-3 months for a hospital appointment. People shit on America’s health system a lot (and in many cases for perfectly valid reasons), but I think they don’t quite consider the alternative.

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> You're all going to think I am a nutball, but I instead started to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape Wait, while sleeping or during the day? If while sleeping, isn't it dangerous?

No, not at all. I heard it first from a dentist and its quite common, well more common than would be expected. Its also perfectly safe, if your nose becomes congested you rip it off in your sleep. It fixed my apnoea and chronic sinus issues. Seems I was constantly developing nasal polyps from mouth breathing all night. Here is a dentist recommending mouth taping: https://askthedentist.com/mouth-tape-better-sleep/

Thanks, that's really interesting. I might try it, if I can figure out how to keep my mustache and beard intact :)

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're all going to think I am a crazy, but I instead elected to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape right when I go to bed. This to me is superior and should be your first port. Not only did it fix my apnoea and huge lack of energy during the day, but also my chronic sinus issues that had plagued me for years. Its also a lot cheaper, much easier to use / travel with and gets me into a good habit of nose breathing duri…

> You're all going to think I am a crazy, but I instead elected to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape. It does sound a little crazy, but only because I'm surprised there's not a more comfortable solution. Tape on my mouth would prevent me from falling asleep. Is there not some sort of mouthguard that blocks airflow, and thereby achieves the same result in a more comfortable, less sticky situation?

Its a little weird the first night, but after 1-2 minutes its strangeness dispersers. In a way its no different to holding your nose. You can get mouthguards, but they don't work very well. You end up drooling all over the pillow and half gasping for air and spitting it out. All you need is a nice single strip of 3m tape.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep/mouth-taping-cheapest-l...

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#89

If your doctor tells you to do a sleep study, do it. If, as a result, they tell you to get a CPAP, get it. Those things are life-changing. I felt like an old man at 50 years old. My back was so stiff I couldn't put on my socks. When I got out of bed in the morning I felt so fragile, like my joints were all inflamed - especially my Achilles' tendons. I was too tired to do anything beyond 6 pm. Now, 51, I feel totally…

You're all going to think I am a crazy, but I instead elected to tape my mouth closed with 3m tape right when I go to bed. This to me is superior and should be your first port. Not only did it fix my apnoea and huge lack of energy during the day, but also my chronic sinus issues that had plagued me for years. Its also a lot cheaper, much easier to use / travel with and gets me into a good habit of nose breathing duri…

How did you verify that it “fixed your apnea”?

A CPAP does not require mouth breathing. Nasal pillows require you to breathe through your nose. If necessary they shut your mouth with a chin strap. A piece of 3m tape sounds dangerous for someone if the problem is nasal obstruction or rhinitis rather than their mouth dangling open. They might not be able to gasp for breath and experience an even worse apnea.

Re: Fitful nightly sleep linked to chronic inflammation, hardened arteries

#90

If your doctor tells you to do a sleep study, do it. If, as a result, they tell you to get a CPAP, get it. Those things are life-changing. I felt like an old man at 50 years old. My back was so stiff I couldn't put on my socks. When I got out of bed in the morning I felt so fragile, like my joints were all inflamed - especially my Achilles' tendons. I was too tired to do anything beyond 6 pm. Now, 51, I feel totally…

And even if you're young, if you find yourself waking up at night with your heart racing, excessive snoring, etc, get it checked out. I got a CPAP machine at 20, and it's hard to overstate the impact. You can even just straight up buy them these days and adjust the settings yourself, sometimes the insurance premium on the sleep study is as high as the cost of the machine.

where can you buy them without a prescription?
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