CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

There is not a day that goes by where a colleague, a friend or family member don't complain they’re either exhausted, lacking sleep or too tired to function. I too am guilty of that! Unfortunately, most Canadian run on low-to-empty; and need to pump the brakes on this bad habit we call routine. To lead a healthier you this 2019, we need to satisfy 3 fundamentals - nutrition, physical activity and sleep. These 3 key factors along with weight and stress management all make up a healthy way to start the new year and lay an excellent groundwork for the rest of the year. Continue reading to learn why sleep should be the first area you concentrate on.

Quality and regularity 

To improve your sleep, focus on regularity and quality of sleep.  Most adults need at least 7 hours of nightly sleep to function and be productive while others need up to 9. Whatever your magic number is, set a regular bedtime that is early enough for you to achieve those hours and commit to them on a nightly basis and wake up at the same time every day.

While the number of hours is important, so is the quality. What you eat and your sleep environment can diminish your sleep quality. Avoid heavy, hard to digest foods and sugary drinks (including alcohol) in the evening. Remove or limit common sleep distractions like TVs, devices, bright and even hot sleeping environment.  

Sleep and your body 

Healthy sleep keeps your body running like a well-oiled machine. Proper sleep aids the body to maintain healthy body weight, contributes a strong immune system to fight disease and infections such as colds or Type 2 diabetes. Sleep also promotes cellular repair, increases physical performance, reaction time and personal safety keeping you alert to react to your surroundings.

Sleep and your mental wellbeing

Those who prioritize sleep health can make better decisions, are more resilient to emotional rollercoasters, mood swings and have better coping mechanisms. Those lacking quality sleep are prone to feelings of anxiety and depression.  

If you’re not convinced by now, proper sleep also keeps your mind as sharp as nails. Sleep increases communication and fosters creativity at work and at school leading to academic and professional success. Long term sleep deprivation on the other hand results in forgetfulness, increased errors and overall poor performance.  

If you require professional help to increase your sleep health, speak to your physician. They may have solutions to help pinpoint ongoing problems that prevent you from sleeping well.

Make healthy sleep one of your top priorities for 2019!

Sleep Apnea & NFL Player Reggie White:

Almost 15 years ago, in 2004, the unforeseen death of a WWE wrestler, turned professional NFL legend, Reggie White completely devastated the sports world. He was just 43 years old. His No. 92 jersey has been retired by the Volunteers, Eagles and Packers. His untimely death caused everyone to take a closer look at the scary health risks of untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea and how it can directly cause complications and indirectly cause death.                                                                                                                                                                                                            White lived with an inflammatory disease that affects his organs known as sarcoidosis and also suffered from Sleep Apnea. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful in treating his OSA with CPAP therapy. According to the Medical Examiner’s Office, White suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia leading to sudden death in his sleep.

Sleep Apnea & MLB Player Josh James:

Josh James is a Major League Baseball Pitcher and has experienced his ups and downs in his baseball career. Often on the road for away games, he garnered a reputation for his snoring amongst his teammates. James was going through a low period. He started to gain weight, was plagued with chronic fatigue and delivered lukewarm performance game after game.

James was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. He decided to tackle his OSA with CPAP therapy and that meant taking a CPAP machine with him on the road to every away game. As his Sleep Apnea was being managed and his performance started to flourish.   

On the field, James delivered fastballs over 100 mph and strong innings with numerous strikeouts against a tough offence against the Angels, something he’s never done before!

Take-Home Message

Both White and James’ stories with two completely different outcomes go to show just how important sleep is and how it affects all aspects of our lives.  An OSA diagnosis can change your life - for better or for worse. Education on OSA and related breathing disorders can save lives. CPAP Therapy is only one of many treatment options. There’s positional sleeping devices, surgery or oral appliances which all have excellent success rates in treating OSA.

A healthy life includes a healthy sleep. Treatment is certainly not one fits all, or maybe easy to get use to, but it’s certainly worthwhile in the long run. 

Other Athletes Excelling On CPAP Therapy 

NFL Player Kyle Van Noy

World Champion Swimmer David Plummer