CPAP: Breathing For You While You Sleep

CPAP means Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. We believe that many people die in their sleep because of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but the family thinks they died in their sleep of a heart attack.

If someone has sleep apnea, and many do and don’t know it, they suffer from very irregular breathing during sleep. This can and does cause death in sleep.

The trouble is most people who have sleep apnea don’t know it. They just are not aware that they have a condition that is dangerous and sometimes fatal.

What To Do?

If you suspect irregular sleep patterns, get an overnight appointment with a sleep lab and make arrangements to go there overnight to sleep while the lab technicians monitor you. They can determine right away if you have sleep apnea. It’s a problem that affects both men and women.

If you do have sleep apnea, the only good and immediate solution is to get a prescription for a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. Medicare pays for it if you use the machine regularly for sleep therapy. It can save your life while giving much needed rest.

Some people get the CPAP machine and then won’t use it. In this case you pay for it. Medicare won’t pay. Your sleep lab doctor keeps records of the usage and reports to Medicare.

Snoring can be a sign of sleep apnea but it is not always an indicator. Waking up tired or waking numerous times during the night can also be a sign of sleep apnea.

People with sleep apnea can actually stop breathing up to 400 times throughout the night. These interruptions last 10 to 30 seconds and are often followed by a snort when breathing resumes. This seriously breaks your sleep cycle and leaves you tired the next day. Get help: Sleep apnea is very serious!

Do You Have High Blood Pressure Or Sleep Apnea?

I suspect that many of the millions of people who are faithfully taking high blood pressure medicine don’t really have high blood pressure. They may have instead sleep apnea.

In addition to high blood pressure, sleep apnea can lead to a host of health problems including acid reflux, frequent nighttime urination, memory loss, stroke, depression, diabetes or even heart attack.

I used to wake up with very high blood pressure and had to hurriedly take blood pressure medicine. One day a cardiologist suggested that I be tested for sleep apnea.

Well, the lights came on. I was tested at the sleep lab and found for sure that I had OSA. I got the CPAP machine and found that I did not awaken with high blood pressure as long as I used the machine by wearing my mask each night. I rested much better, four to five hours at a time, and didn’t wake up for frequent nighttime urination.

Follow-up reading suggested that a chin strap worn while sleeping would stop the mouth from falling open, stop the snoring and possibly take the place of the CPAP machine. The chin strap prevents the jaw, throat and tongue muscles from relaxing by holding the mouth closed while sleeping, therefore there is no obstruction of the airway passage.

I have tried a chin strap while napping and found it very helpful. However I am not quite ready to exchange my CPAP machine for a chin strap. The CPAP machine provides forced air at the nose. I am at least suspicious that the simple chin strap may be a low cost substitute for the CPAP machine.

The whole idea here is that if you can stop the snoring by holding your mouth shut with a chin strap, you can stop or alleviate OSA. I am not prepared to tell you this is true, but I suspect it.

A recent case study published by Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Division of Sleep Medicine in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine concludes that wearing a simple chin strap while you sleep can be an effective treatment for OSA.

Snoring reduction may help increase oxygen levels, improve REM (deep) sleep, diminish daytime fatigue and lower blood pressure.

According to WebMD.com, sleep apnea can cause or contribute to:

• High blood pressure. The frequent nighttime wakings cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive and results in high blood pressure levels at night. Low blood-oxygen levels, caused by the cutoff of oxygen, may also contribute to hypertension in people with sleep apnea.

• Heart disease. People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Stroke and atrial fibrillation — a problem with the rhythm of the heartbeat — are also associated with obstructive sleep apnea.

• Type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea is very common among people with type 2 diabetes; up to 80 percent of diabetics have some obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity is a common risk factor for both disorders. Although studies haven’t shown a clear link between sleep apnea alone and type 2 diabetes, sleep deprivation can cause insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.

• Weight gain. Adding weight increases your risk of sleep apnea; up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be cured if you lose enough weight, but that can be tough to do. Being overweight causes fatty deposits in the neck that block breathing at night. In turn, sleep apnea impairs the body’s endocrine systems, causing the release of the hormone ghrelin. That makes you crave carbohydrates and sweets. Also, people with sleep apnea who are tired and sleepy all the time may have lower metabolism and that can contribute to weight gain.

• Adult asthma. Although the link to obstructive sleep apnea is not proven, people who are treated for sleep apnea may find they have fewer asthma attacks.

• GERD. There’s no proof that sleep apnea causes acid reflux, but many people with sleep apnea complain of acid reflux.

• Car accidents. Daytime grogginess can put people with sleep apnea at increased risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. People with sleep apnea are up to five times more likely than normal sleepers to have traffic accidents.

Tap Water Can Make You Color Blind

Plastic in your tap water can impair your color vision and cause other permanent eye problems.

When a research team assessed visual functioning among a group of people born between 1969 and 1983 to parents residing in eight towns in the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, they found a variety of health problems. The towns all had the chemical solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in their drinking water because of pipes outfitted with a vinyl liner that was improperly cured. Previous studies led by Ann Aschengrau, professor of epidemiology at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), have found associations between PCE exposure and cancer, as well as reproductive and developmental outcomes. Increases in the risks of breast cancer and certain birth defects were seen in the team’s prior studies.

In testing vision, Aschengrau and colleagues found that people exposed to PCE made more major errors in color discrimination than those not exposed. The levels of color confusion were greatest among people with high exposure levels.

PCE previously has been implicated in deficiencies in color discrimination, mainly among adults who encounter the toxin in the workplace. The new study is the first to assess “the associations between prenatal and early childhood exposure to PCE and adult vision,” Aschengrau says. The findings suggest that “the effects of early life PCE-exposure on color discrimination may be irreversible.”

The Fastest Way For Men To Improve Their Relationships With Women

Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, once famously asked, “What do women want?” Well, researchers in Arkansas believe that they have the answer. And men would do well to listen.

What women want, if these scientists are to be believed, is for men to get more sleep. Their studyshows that a single night of not getting enough sleep leads men to think women have more romantic interest in them than they really do. In addition, these sleep-deprived males over-perceive women’s interest in and intent to have sex.

And those perceptions are dead wrong.

According to the scientists, sleep deprivation causes impairment of the brain’s frontal lobe. That messes with your ability to make good decisions and understand your own risky behavior. It also warps your moral reasoning and suppresses your inhibitions.

“Our findings here are similar to those from studies using alcohol, which similarly inhibits the frontal lobe,” says researcher Jennifer Peszka, associate professor of psychology at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., who led the study. “Sleep deprivation could have unexpected effects on perceptual experiences related to mating and dating that could lead people to engage in sexual decisions that they might otherwise not when they are well-rested.  Poor decision-making in these areas can lead to problems such as sexual harassment, unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and relationship conflicts which are all factors that have serious medical, educational and economic implications for both the individual and for society.”

Consequently, the best way for men to improve their relationships with the opposite sex is to get to bed earlier. By themselves.

The 11 Healthiest Foods in the World

A popular diet from the 1940s is experiencing a revival as nutrition science proves these recommended foods do your body a whole lot of good. Source these easily available ingredients to flood your body with disease-fighting antioxidants, brain-enhancing fatty acids, and slimming vital nutrients.

Click here for the 11 Healthiest Foods in the World »

Where to Buy the Best FishFind out if your grocery store is up to speed. Read more here » 6 Farmer's Market ScamsAre your favorite vendors legit? Read more here » The Best Herbs for Happy HourGive your cocktails an unforgettable kick. Read more here »

Most people know that your artery health is vital to your longevity. At any one moment your heart can stop beating causing an emergency issue. That's why it's essential for you to keep your heart in good health through exercise and nutrition. But at times you have to take additional efforts to minimize your chance of unwanted cardiovascular situations. Now there's a breakthrough discovery that can help you assure a long life by re-nourishing your arteries and helping to support healthy blood flow within your heart. Now in this Free report you can discover what most cardiologists don’t tell you. Learn about:  4 Letters that can make all the difference with your heart strength!  The medical cover-up about a new natural heart breakthrough!  A Nobel prize-winning scientist who reveals a safe option for your artery health!  An artery heart-saving nutrient to keep your circulation flowing smoothly!  Why heavy metals in your body are not good for your heart health!  A dozen miracle saving nutrients that are most likely not in your diet! Now a remarkable breakthrough has been uncovered! This information is so revealing that a special report was written to help bring it to your attention. Find out today what you need to know to help live a long life with a strong, healthier heart. It’s now available to you at no cost. Continue reading here... Yours for improved heart health, Dr. Mark Rosenberg

The California Almond Scare: One Step Closer to Severe Food Shortages? 
It nearly brought down the almond industry this spring. But don't dismiss it as inconsequential - this problem affects 1/3 of the food you eat and is a worldwide phenomenon with dire implications. But... here are 4 things you can do today to help.

"Consuming Kids" Reveals Shocking Tactics Used to Manipulate Your Children's Preferences and Habits 
It's grossly underhanded, but odds are it's the reason why you've been brainwashed to love the food you know is bad for you. Don't let it happen to your kids - keep them away from this...

Controlling Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s natural protection and repair response to germs, toxins, environmental pollutants, injury and illness, and other threats. So why would we want to reduce such a beneficial process? Because, like so many of the body’s other protective mechanisms that involve multiple systems (immune, hormonal, vascular and more), inflammation must be kept in balance in order to be beneficial. Otherwise, these repair processes may work overtime, essentially causing more damage.

Think of inflammation as being similar to stress. Acute, but infrequent inflammation can be healthy. The same is true of stress. Both help to “wake up” the system to respond to dangers. But if inflammation, or stress, continues to progress unchecked, a cascade of detrimental biochemical reactions can occur that damage cellular DNA and healthy tissue. Chronic inflammation can also drive uncontrolled scar tissue buildup (fibrosis), leading to reduced organ function. That continues until you experience an organ failure like a heart attack. It can also contribute to diseases where the body turns against itself during conditions like chronic allergies and autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of inflammation are usually characterized by redness, swelling, pain, and stiffness, but sometimes the effects do not manifest outwardly until there has been significant damage.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to some of our most serious degenerative diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, autoimmune diseases and Alzheimer’s. Luckily, there are numerous ways to control chronic inflammation naturally and promote overall health in the process.

Causes Of Inflammation

Various lifestyle factors may contribute to chronic inflammation but one of the most influential causes is diet. Since many foods are either naturally pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory, the types of foods you eat have a direct impact on your inflammation responses.

The biggest pro-inflammatory culprits are processed and sugary foods, as well as the trans fats, present in a variety of snack foods, fried foods, baked goods, and vegetable shortening. One revealing correlation is the presence of glycotoxins, also known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), that are formed in foods that are heated, pasteurized, dried, smoked, fried or grilled. Once absorbed into the body, they bind to tissues and oxidize them, causing inflammation. Interestingly, glycotoxins are also formed by the body as a byproduct of inflammation on the cellular level. Essentially, chronic inflammation, slowly cooks up any number of chronic diseases.

A large clinical study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism in 2009, clearly shows that reducing these toxins in the diet reduces inflammation and the risk of chronic degenerative disease. The authors suggest that these “oxidants” may play a more active role than genetics in determining whether we age gracefully in good health or develop chronic degenerative diseases.

Sleep Deprivation

In addition to diet, certain lifestyle choices may contribute to inflammation. For example, it has been shown that sleep deprivation can lead to chronic inflammation.  People who are overweight or obese may be at the highest risk, as well as people living with diabetes, an existing heart condition, or constant psychological, emotional or physical stress. Furthering this process are the effects of environmental toxicity from air, water, food pollutants and heavy metals, all of which contribute to chronic inflammation, and have been linked to numerous chronic degenerative conditions.

Cascading Chain Reaction

When an injury or threat occurs, chemicals such as inflammatory cytokines are released into the blood or tissues as part of the normal healing response. These inflammatory cytokines are destructive to our normal cells, and with chronic inflammation they result in irritation and wearing down of cartilage and tissues, giving rise to further inflammatory triggers.

This process creates a type of heat and friction on a physiological level that is similar to what happens when you rub fabric together for so long that its fibers begin to degrade.

In the body, this process of degradation can be viewed as changes in cellular function and abnormalities in the healing process. Even further, inflammation can affect internal organs and can cause:

• Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) that can result in shortness of breath or swelling in the legs
• Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis) that may cause high blood pressure or kidney failure
• Inflammation of the large intestine (colitis) that may cause cramps,  diarrhea and digestive problems

As tissue health degrades under the impact of chronic inflammation, an “itis” (which refers to an inflamed tissue) can evolve into fibrosis, a structural change in the tissues akin to that kind of scarring that restricts function. Chronic inflammation in the circulatory system drives plaque formation as well as hardening of the arteries. In addition, chronic inflammation has been linked to mental and emotional imbalances, digestive disorders, skin problems, musculo-skeletal conditions and much more.

Treatments For Inflammation

There are a variety of natural treatment options for inflammatory conditions including diet, supplements and lifestyle adjustments.

 Foods

As I mentioned, diet plays a primary role in reducing or promoting inflammation. A recent report from the University of Alabama discusses several foods that are shown to help reduce or mediate chronic inflammation, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, wild salmon and dark leafy greens. Certain culinary herbs also greatly help to control inflammation while providing a wealth of additional antioxidant and health promoting benefits: ginger, parsley, cilantro, cardamom, turmeric, rosemary, thyme, oregano, cumin and more. Other helpful foods include berries, olive oil, omega-3 oils, raw nuts, seeds, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage as well as raw cacao. Good hydration and targeted supplementation are also essential.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an effective therapy that can help reduce chronic inflammation by rebalancing the body’s energetic and organ systems while moderating inflammatory responses.

Reducing Stress

Perhaps one of the most important things to consider in reducing inflammation in the body is to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Stress hormones like cortisol trigger the release of inflammatory chemicals such as cytokines that are now viewed as major contributing factors in chronic degenerative conditions. Stress relief measures like meditation and deep breathing as well as yoga and movement therapies such as Qi Gong and other gentle exercises are effective stress reducers. Spending time doing what you love and nourishing positive social connections are also important. Experiment and find what works for you.

Supplements

One supplement I highly recommend is a Tibetan Herbal Formula that has over 30 years of scientific research supporting its use in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. This unique formula, based on an ancient Tibetan remedy, contains 19 herbs and botanicals that function synergistically to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, cool excess heat in the body, support immunity and increase antioxidant activity. This multifaceted herbal supplement works from multiple angles to address the root causes of chronic inflammation and restore overall health and vitality.

Curcumin, derived from turmeric, is also shown to reduce chronic inflammation. Omega-3 oil supplements from flax and fish oil can also help cool chronic inflammation. The bioflavonoid quercetin, and the antioxidant nutrients alpha lipoic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D3 and selenium can similarly help reduce chronic inflammation and protect cells and tissues.

Another critical supplement for reducing chronic inflammation is modified citrus pectin (MCP). When I began to use MCP in my clinical practice in the 1990s, I discovered that it was remarkable how fast this one ingredient could work to reduce patients’ joint pain. Initially, my colleagues and I guessed that this effect was due to MCP’s proven heavy metal chelation properties (heavy metals accumulate in joint tissues). However, over the past several years, there’s been a sharp increase in research on MCP and the inflammatory biomarker, galectin-3. MCP is a proven anti-galectin-3 therapy, and scientists now understand the direct role of excess galectin-3 in promoting chronic inflammation and fibrosis in joints, organs and other tissues throughout the body. Essentially, MCP binds to excess galectin-3 to limit its long-term pro-inflammatory effects.

With a healthy diet and lifestyle and proper stress relief measures, in addition to the right dietary supplements, inflammation can be kept under control, and your health on all levels can “stay cool.”

The Heartbeat Clue To Your Brain’s Future

Carl Lowe | Jun 07, 2013 | Comments 0 | 

To tell how your brain is going to fare in the next few years, check your pulse. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that the way your heart beats offers important information about your brain health.

If you have the kind of irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation, it isn’t only your heart that’s suffering; your brain may also be running into trouble.

“Problems with memory and thinking are common for people as they get older. Our study shows that on average, problems with memory and thinking may start earlier or get worse more quickly in people who have atrial fibrillation,” says researcher Evan L. Thacker. “This means that heart health is an important factor related to brain health.”

The study involved people age 65 and older from four communities in the United States who were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study. Of the 5,150 participants, 552, or about 11 percent, developed atrial fibrillation during the study.

The study showed that people with atrial fibrillation were more likely to have lower memory and thinking scores at younger ages than those without atrial fibrillation. From age 80 to age 85 the average score on the 100-point test went down by about 6 points for people without atrial fibrillation, but it went down by about 10 points for people with atrial fibrillation.

How The Longevity Experts Live Longer

If you’re interested in living a little bit longer, you might be interested in what longevity experts are doing to try to boost their own life expectancy. WhenU.S. News interviewed five medical researchers, they got five different answers about how these folks are trying to keep the Grim Reaper away.

1. Give blood every two months. Thomas Perls, of the New England Centenarian Study at Boston University Medical Center, believes that when you give blood and reduce the iron in your body (especially for men), the iron deficit may help delay certain aging processes.

2. Eat about 2,000 calories a day. Mark Mattson, with the Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, thinks that restricting calories and continually feeling hungry keeps the body healthier.

3. Eat a low glycemic diet. Cynthia Kenyon, a geneticist with the department of biochemistry and biophysics, University of California–San Francisco, tries to keep her blood sugar from spiking by not eating starchy foods like pasta, bread, potatoes and rice.

4. Take resveratrol. David Sinclair, professor of pathology at the Harvard Medical School, believes this supplement activates enzymes that protect against aging.

5. Laugh at people who are trying to delay aging. Felipe Sierra, biologist, with the Division of Aging Biology, National Institute on Aging, thinks that the only thing research on aging can do so far is make you laugh.

All of these scientists emphasize that they don’t think there’s enough research to recommend to others the measures they are taking.

Vision Breakthrough: 2 super-antioxidants identified

Many people think that blurry and poor vision are a part of the aging process. To see better, they start wearing correction lenses which start off with a thin lens in the beginning, but get thicker and thicker as the years roll by. You don't need to fall in that trap. Even if you're 50, 60 or even 70. Breakthrough research has identified two vital nutrients that become deficient as you grow old. Supplementing with these nutrients will keep your vision sharp even as you grow old. To know more about these nutrients, CLICK HERE.

Get 8 different b-vitamins all in one pill!

Energy, muscle function, metabolism, cardiovascular health…B vitamins do a lot for your overall health! But getting all of the B's in one place has never been easy. Now, you can have them all in ONE PLACE and with HUGE doses. Dr. Pescatore's Balance B Complex gives you every B-vitamin in just one tablet a day! That's 8 different b-vitamins all in one pill! With Balanced B Complex in your cabinet, you can stay charged with the power of every b-vitamin--and it's just so easy! Experience the power for yourself. Try Balanced B Complex today!

Give me 10

Dear Reader, There are a handful of supplements I just can't do without. As you might recall, CoQ10 is one of them. And new research is illustrating, yet again, why this nutrient has been such a long-standing staple in my practice. A recent German trial split 100 young athletes into two groups. One group took 300 mg of CoQ10 in the form of ubiquinol every day for six weeks. The other took a placebo. At the end of the trial, researchers assessed for changes in peak power output. And results showed that the subjects supplementing with CoQ10 had a significant edge when it came to physical performance. Granted, the benefit in this study was just barely significant. But keep in mind that we're talking about seasoned young athletes here. So the boost to someone in ordinary physical shape could potentially be more profound. Especially since CoQ10 levels decline dramatically with age, chronic disease... and most notably, statin use. But whatever your condition, supplementing with CoQ10 is just a good idea. It's a critical antioxidant that packs a serious punch against free radicals. And that's one reason why it's linked to better heart health and more efficient metabolism. (Just to name a couple benefits.) That's also why I recommend 300 mg of CoQ10 daily to everyone who steps foot in my office.

"High-Altitude Hero" tricks your blood sugar into staying in shape

Now this is amazing... Research suggests this rare discovery from the Himalayan Mountains actually helpstrick your body into maintaining healthy blood sugar! This revelation has already sparked over a dozen studies involving more than a thousand participants. And with one astonishing trick this "High-Altitude Hero" helps boost your energy production, reduce your "snack attacks" and just wait until you see what it could do for your waistline... Watch it now and find out!

10 Super-Salty "Healthy" Foods

A bowl of cereal for breakfast. Deli turkey on whole-grain bread for lunch. Grilled chicken breast for dinner. Sounds healthy enough...until you add up the total sodium count: 3,570 milligrams—a whopping 1,000 milligrams more than the daily recommended amount. Yikes! Prevention shines a light on the surprising places salt likes to hide. You won't believe what's in your cereal bowl!

Click here for 10 salt-soaked "healthy" foods »

Grilled Chicken With Citrus MarinadePlus, 11 other drool-worthy dinners. Read more here » Better Together15 healthy food combinations. Read more here » 25 Foods Dentists Won't EatIf the tooth docs won't touch 'em, should you? Read more here »

One of the Worst Drugs to Take if You Exercise - Renders It Almost Worthless
Imagine sweating it out in the gym, only to discover all your efforts were for nothing simply because you were fooled into taking this dangerous drug (and if you're an American over 45, there's a 1 in 4 chance you do)...

How Exercising at Work Saves Money
Implementing wellness programs that allow employees to stay active at work can boost company profits in more ways than one.