Can You Die From Little Sleep?

In the times of the Winter Olympics, there has been increased coverage and emphasis on the crucial importance of getting adequate sleep. As outlined by Team U.S.A., the significance of sufficient sleep is highlighted on an everyday basis. As explained by the team’s management: “Sleep supports healthy cognition, metabolism, mood, immune functions, and much more.”

Consequentially Olympic athletes such as America’s own Mikaela Shiffrin, one of the world's best slalom skiers, have credited her athletic success on getting a full 9 hours of sleep each night. Shiffrin’s napping habits have also been widely discussed in domestic- and international press coverage.

Other U.S. athletes, such as NBA player Kevin Durant have credited his eight-hour sleeping schedule for his athletic performance. NFL-wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald likewise claims to be sleeping a minimum of nine hours per night. Six-time Olympic gold winner Usain Bolt has told reporters he gets 8-10 hours per night and has highlighted how “extremely important” sleeping is to his success in sports.

Dangers of Insufficient Sleep

Harvard Medical School has outlined 6 reasons why it is crucially important to get enough sleep. The same Harvard study shows that as much as 75 percent of Americans experience difficulties sleeping at least a couple times on a weekly basis.

1. Diseases

Inadequate sleep will alter immune functions and may also be tied to cancer and other serious medical complications such as a number of heart-linked diseases.

2. Cardiovascular Illnesses

Disorders such as Sleep Apnea and similar conditions are linked to a variety of cardiovascular health issues. Insomnia and sleeplessness are linked to abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), higher levels of stress hormones, hypertension, and related disorders.

3. Moodiness

A very common side-effect of insomnia is increased irritability, often combined with higher impatience, drastic mood changes, and a harder time concentrating.

4. General Safety

Did you know that drowsy driving is responsible for nearly ten percent of all traffic collisions in America? Furthermore, the correlation between insomnia and colossal industrial accidents has for long been established. Sleepiness has even been a factor in some of the world’s worst disasters; including the nuclear accident at Chornobyl in 1986, the 1989 Exxon oil tanker spill, the 1986 Challenger accident, the 1979 nuclear incident at Three Mile Island, and many others. Furthermore, two recent train collisions in New York City have led to a push for requiring apnea screening for train operators. We will never know if a simple apnea screening and treatment could have made a difference in these horrifying catastrophes.

5. Metabolism & Obesity

A chronic lack of sleep will oftentimes lead to weight gain. Sleepiness is proven to affect the body’s process of storing carbohydrates as well as interfering with hormone levels which affect the appetite. Overweight or obesity is often linked to potentially lethal apnea syndrome, a potentially deadly disorder affecting over 22 million Americans according to the American Sleep Apnea Association.

6. Learning Ability

Lack of sleep is often rightfully blamed on low academic scores. Studies have receptively indicated that a good night’s sleep helps the brain memorize what’s been studied or learned new information. Sleeping in itself is proven to commit new info to our memory by a process called memory consolidation.


Check Out: 7 Shocking Dangers of Sleep Deprivation!

Are you getting adequate levels of sleep? Although, as elaborated by the National Sleep Foundation, age plays a significant role in how much sleep your body requires. A general thumb role however is to attain a minimum of eight hours of sleep per day. For those suffering from chronic sleepiness such as insomnia or apnea, there may be a medical reason why you can’t seem to fall or remain asleep. For apnea sufferers or similar patients, it is essential and vital to participate in a sleeping study in order to diagnose the issue. For those diagnosed with OSA (obstructive apnea syndrome), a simple CPAP mask may be all you need to regain your peaceful nights.

The 3 Best Masks | CPAP Mask

CPAP Pro® knows very well the difficult choice sleep apnea sufferers must make: What type of masks exist? How much are they? And what mask should I get? A CPAP mask - or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, - is a method often recommended by physicians in order to treat apnea. In this article, CPAP Pro will highlight some of the pros and cons that follow certain apnea masks. We will present the three variants available on the market, ranked by how comfortable and really - how tolerable - it is to wear. All the product variants have certain pros and cons, and some may fit or suit some individuals more than others. It is important to note that this information is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with a sleep specialist or physician.

3. Full Face Mask

The traditional full-face variant is slowly pacing out, although many patients find these masks to be the most trusted. These cover the patient's entire facial area, including mouth and nose. The problem with these is often the discomfort or claustrophobic effects of wearing the headgear and/or straps holding the mask in place. These may still be recommended to certain patients, maybe, particularly those in need of relatively high airway pressure. The full-face options have been proven to cause the most airway pressure leaks, and it is not recommended for active sleepers or those with claustrophobic tendencies. The airway will however feel less direct with the full-face rather than the interface nasal pillows (mentioned below). The full headgear and heavyweight may be a pain to some, but others describe it as a more stable and secure way of receiving airway flows. Sleeping on the stomach is not possible with the full face, and it will often leak due to facial hair, unlike nasal and interface nasal pillows.

See Also: How CPAP Saves Lives!

2. Nasal CPAP Mask

Covering the nose, these are ideal for sleepers who breathe through their nose. Amongst the more popular, these only cover a small portion compared to the more conventional full-face options. Similar to the full-face option, these are also often recommended to patients in need of high-pressure settings. It is however not recommended for mouth-breathers, as it only provides airway flows through the nose. These often do provide the most direct airway pressure, but the strong airflow may feel discomforting and/or annoying to some. Unlike nasal pillows, nasal masks do cover your sinuses and can therefore lead to discomfort and/or pain. Without further due, let us present to you the number one way of treating apnea comfortably: nasal pillows.

1. Nasal Pillow

These light and comfortable mask variants are a trending way of treating sleep apnea. Smaller, lighter, and often more comfortable, interface nasal pillows might be the most pleasant way of treating apnea. What’s a better method of receiving continuous positive airway pressure through the night? This is also why our founder Joseph L. Goldstein invented our revolutionary NoMask. With no painful or irritating straps nor strings or headgear, it is truly the best option on the market for treating your sleep apnea in the most comfortable way. If you already have a traditional full-face mask, why not update your device to something more pleasant? Regain your freedom to twist and turn at night. Our CPAP products are FDA tested and approved. Nasal pillows are also known to cause less airway leaking and are the best type for those who move, twist, or turn during sleep.

Contact us for more information on our revolutionary product. Make sure to ask about Joe’s story! Our owner and founder, Joesph “Joe” Goldstein, is an apnea patient himself who invented the NoMask as a result of all the bad, irritating, and discomforting treatments available on the market. Joe is also the author of a best-selling book on his story and invention, entitled Snoring Can Kill!!: Discover How Sleep Apnea Can Be Ruining Your Life (1999).

Are You Suffering From Sleep Apnea and Ready To Give CPAP A Chance?

Please note that the author is not a physician nor a sleep specialist. Consult your doctor before using any medical procedures and treatments that take place, including apnea treatments. The information provided in this article should not be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to consulting an apnea specialist. All masks are different and certain CPAP mask options work better for some individuals.

The Silent Nightly Killer of Children | CPAP Pro Masks

Can snoring lead to death? As children are far from immune to sleep apnea, we at CPAP Pro know all too well the dangers associated with sleep apnea syndrome. As a leading provider of CPAP masks since the late 90s, we are proud of our NoMask which has helped thousands of suffering kids throughout the United States. Our founder is an apnea patient himself and released the NoMask sleep apnea machine for a more comfortable and user-friendly CPAP mask. He is also the author of the best-selling book Snoring Can Kill, which was published in 1999. To give some well-deserved attention and information on sleep disorders in children and adolescents, we have collected some tips from our expertise of more than eighteen years of work with treating apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is prevalent in 2-3 percent of kids. As many as 13-14 percent of teenagers suffer from obesity and possibly accompanying OSA. In children, it can easily go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as it is harder to detect than in adults. In children it is most frequently caused by either 1) Obesity or 2) Enlarged tonsils/adenoids. Heavy snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness may be the two most obvious signs of OSA, but there are also some other warning signs to look for. If your child is a heavy snorer it may be a warning light and the child should be seen by a sleep specialist. While surgical procedures may be an option, many are also treated with sleep apnea masks such as our NoMask. Let CPAP Pro present some of the most common signs of OSA and how your child can be treated.

Apnea Signs

As the title of Joe Goldstein’s book implies, “Snoring Can Kill” (1999). One of the most common signs of OSA is continued heavy- and gasp-like snoring during bedtime. Behavioral- and academic difficulties often accompany OSA, even leading some to misdiagnose it as ADHD. The child will more often than not also suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness. The child may be hyperactive, sometimes aggressive, and have problems concentrating. As in adults, apnea patients often suffer from headaches when waking up as well as high blood pressure. Bed-wetting can be another accompanying issue. Children with OSA have often problems paying attention to detail, don’t listen when talked to, and have problems staying organized. Keeping attention to one thing may seem difficult, and the child may seem forgetful in everyday tasks. OSA can carry many of the same symptoms as ADHD. A simple but easy-to-use sleep apnea machine is the most common form of treatment, and the use of such a mask can be easy and comfortable. If left untreated, the OSA can create permanent memory- and learning damage. An array of other diseases are linked to OSA, including various lethal heart diseases. Is your child a heavy snorer? Children who snore heavily are particularly vulnerable to OSA, and according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), such children should be screened by a sleep specialist. 

Apnea Treatment

CPAP Pro is located in Simi Valley, CA

When enlarged adenoids or tonsils are the main cause of OSA, a surgical procedure may be preferred. For children with OSA as a result of being overweight or obese, face masks such as BIPAP and CPAP may be recommended. A CPAP mask will make breathing easier, resulting in a deeper sleep and an end to snoring. When recommended by a physician or sleep specialist, acquiring such a face mask may alleviate the sleep disorder. While any child may be resistant to using a mask during sleep, patience is the key to treating a child with CPAP machines. With no annoying or pailful equipment such as straps, strings, or headgear, our NoMask is the most comfortable CPAP mask on the world market. Nonetheless, there are certain tips on how you can make the CPAP change easier for the child. Let him or her try the mask on during the daytime, to see how it feels. Have lots of patience in the beginning. It may be necessary for a couple of nights to check if the child is still using the mask during nighttime. While tonsillectomy can treat children with surgical removal of their enlarged tonsils or adenoids, children who suffer from apnea caused by obesity are often treated with CPAP masks.

See Also: What Really Happens When You're Asleep?

Many patients utilizing a sleep apnea mask of any sort are too well aware of the many discomforts accompanying the masks. This is why the NoMask is a revolutionary product on the market. As the name implies, NoMask is the closest to a no-mask feeling you can get while still treating your apnea. With no annoying strings attached and no headgear, NoMask is comfortable and lets you twist and turn while asleep. “How to make CPAP more comfortable!?” is a repetitive question we get asked all the time. The solution might just be the award-winning NoMask product which has eliminated the CPAP pain and torture for thousands of patients.

Final Step in Eliminating Apnea

More than 30 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep deprivation due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. The latter can lead to numerous medical complications and illnesses and is for example linked to various heart diseases, diabetes, high risk of stroke, several mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and so much more. Getting treatment for your disorder is therefore crucially important fast in order to reduce the risk of any accompanying illnesses or health challenges. If you are suffering from a chronic lack of rest, check out this article to make the first step in living a life free from sleepless nights.

A person that knows the challenges accompanying sleep apnea firsthand is our founder, Joe Goldstein. After having been diagnosed with sleep apnea himself, Joe was disappointed when introduced to the various masks on the market, and ultimately, in 2000, he decided to launch our revolutionary product. Little did Joe know that the product would revolutionize the nasal technology for sleep apnea mask products with its nasal interference, ultimately masking it among the best CPAP masks available worldwide. Joe found the traditional masks on the market often came along with painful headgear, - such as straps going around the head and other uncomfortable equipment to align the mask to the facial area. What turned out to be revolutionary with the CPAPPRO is the use of nasal pillows attached to an oral appliance, completely eliminating the need for either headgear or painful straps. By keeping the nasal puffs in alignment by a pliable dental appliance, it simply eliminates all needs for head-straps and other headgear, gaining the nickname NOMASK.

Various forms of sleeping disorders may require different types of treatments, often encouraged by breathing experts, physicians, and other health care specialists. Some of the treatments available include various surgeries, therapy, lifestyle changes, alternative medicine, or breathing equipment. If your doctor has recommended the use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine, you will have many choices to pick the right product for your needs. CPAP machines are widely prescribed by health professionals for a variety of sleep disorders, including but not limited to Pulmonary edema and various lung disorders. The machine gives air with pressure, helping the patient to breathe during nighttime, hence the name continuous positive airway pressure machines. The machines can also be utilized to keep the upper respiratory tract open for air, and will therefore also eliminate chances of snoring or breathing stops throughout the night. These are qualities found in most facial sleep apnea mask options, so what is so revolutionary about this product? For one, it is the most comfortable as well as the most tolerable product on the market. As the oral appliance not only lowers the jaw forward but supports the nasal pillows, it allows for less pressure ultimately making it one of the best CPAP masks available on the world market.

Some words from the inventor of CPAP PRO

“I hate to brag, but as a layman, I accomplished something that is extremely unique in the field of medical sleep apnea devices. After being diagnosed with severe sleep apnea at UCLA in 1996, I was given what was then a state-of-the-art CPAP machine, also a very cumbersome Fisher Paykel heated humidifier, and a newly introduced Sullivan/Resmed “bubble mask” which was reputed to be the best and most comfortable at that time. Truly, I couldn’t wait to get into bed that first night and have the best night's sleep in ages. Unfortunately, it was extremely uncomfortable and quite irritating, but I was determined that I would persevere and endure the leaks, the tight strap irritation, the leakage into my eyes, and the claustrophobia. I tried and tried every night to get used to my new CPAP regimen, but finally had to take two Advil pills prior to bedtime and rub the painkiller Xylocaine around my nose… Hoping to fall asleep before the pain became too unbearable.

Although I had absolutely no experience or knowledge about masks; as an inventor in the packaging industry, at 3 am one intolerable morning, I decided to create a better device for delivering air to the nostrils… Something unique and radical to eliminate all the straps and headgear. And then from out of the blue, it dawned on me: The upper teeth are always in perfect alignment with your upper teeth! So after years and years of testing, making prototypes, obtaining patents and FDA approval (and spending tons of my own personal money)… CPAP PRO® was born!!! With absolutely no painful headgear, straps, annoying leaks, or claustrophobia, I am proud to say that thousands of sleep apnea victims throughout the world are getting the best possible sleep ever with my creation. Throughout the years, I have received scores of letters, phone calls, and yes “blessings” from grateful NOMASK users all over the world that tell me that I have made their CPAP regimen much more tolerable for them… They can twist and turn, press their head against the pillow and everything stays in place without annoying leaks or discomfort. May I suggest that you go to my site to learn more about the unique CPAP PRO and glance at the many unsolicited, honest testimonials from fellow apnea patients? Yes… I am just a sleep apnea patient like you and I’m proud to state that I did build a better mousetrap to make the use more tolerable!”

Read also: Danger Lurks In Your CPAP Humidifier!

Joe Goldstein is not only the inventor but also the author of Snoring Can Kill!!, a best-selling book on the dangers of suffering from apnea. Continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, is the most widely used medical device for apnea patients and other breathing disorders. It will eliminate sleep apnea and with that also remove the risks of dangerous and possibly deadly heart- and cardiovascular diseases. The technology first emerged in 1980 and was quickly preferred to older treatment methods involving medical surgery. While the first masks sounded like loud vacuum cleaners, the technology has improved a lot since the 80s. But as explained by our founder in the book Snoring Can Kill!!, there are still many challenges with some of the current options still offering painful headgear and/or uncomfortable straps to align the device. First introduced in 2000, our product revolutionized the market by eliminating the need for straps and creating a much more user-friendly breathing machine.

The Solution That Puts Snoring to Bed

Over 30 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. This number increases daily. Most of them will not only suffer through endless sleepless nights, but will also experience long-term effects including tiredness, drowsiness, nausea, headaches, irritability, and much more. Getting treatment for your endless nights of no sleep is crucially important for your health, daily life, and overall well-being. In this article, we will look further into some of the causes and symptoms of this highly dangerous condition, so often ruining millions of people's careers, and marriages, and even leading to death. Did you for example know it can lead to serious heart issues? Or that it can give emotional disturbance, chronic headaches, and unusually high blood pressure? Our lives are hectic enough as they are. A good night's sleep is vital, and it’s never been easier to finally eliminate the problem.

We will first give some general information about this common disorder, before diving into some of the symptoms and consequences of having a sleeping disorder and lack of sleep. We will give a summary including how to diagnose the problem, and what we are here for - how the problem once and for all can be eliminated and you can regain your night's sleep. Stevenson Industries' revolutionary CPAP PRO has helped thousands of clients with problems related to their sleep disorders.

What is sleep apnea?

An adult needs a minimum of six to seven hours of sleep per night to optimally function in daily life. People with sleep apnea have often trouble staying asleep, let alone falling asleep. It is defined as a sleep disturbance caused by the cessation of breathing during the night. While there are various forms of treatment for people with any disorders, getting help fast can be the difference between life and death if you suffer from chronic sleeplessness. The disorder affects as many as thirty million people according to statistics presented in the book Snoring Can Kill!!, a great introduction to the treatments and symptoms related to the disorder. It usually affects people without them knowing it, and it is often characterized by heavier and louder snoring. Besides just depriving the person of their night’s rest, it deprives the person of vital oxygen as it stops you from breathing while asleep. As it’s often a progressive disorder, slowly worsening over time, many have problems recognizing the disorder. The need for sleep apnea face masks or other treatments can be crucial, and if you are experiencing prolonged chronic sleeping deprivation, talk to your healthcare specialist or physician about the problem to get it diagnosed. There are three classified forms of sleep apnea: obstructive (OSA), central (CSA), and mixed. OSA is the overwhelmingly most common, about 2 in 10 with chronic sleeping deprivation suffer from CSA. While CSA and OSA often require similar treatment and show similar symptoms, being diagnosed by your physician is crucially important as some disorders may be linked to various diseases and similar. If your healthcare specialist suggests the use of a CPAP machine, look into the best CPAP mask options for your needs.

Symptoms

While snoring is the most common symptom, often recognized by being loud and heavy, there are various other symptoms including the inability to breathe during sleep, shortness of breath leading to waking up at nighttime, as well as being excessively sleepy during the daytime. Our founder, Joseph L. Goldstein, explains his own symptoms in his book, for instance about waking up in the morning feeling overly sleepy, depressed, and miserable. He later goes on to explain many of the other symptoms that are often recorded. Many suffer from extreme fatigue and headaches, particularly in the early mornings, others see an increase in irritability, depression, emerging emotional disturbances, and problems concentrating. Mood changes, uncontrollable anxieties, and even bed-wetting could be additional symptoms. The most common symptom is discovered by others while sleeping. Most snore not only loudly, but often heavily and sometimes followed by waking up in the middle of the night after not being able to breathe. If you wake up gasping for air at night, sweat a lot during nighttime, and maybe also have experienced a loss in sex drive, be aware that these may be symptoms of a sleeping disorder and may require immediate treatment. While surveys show that patients often suffer from obesity, other surveys have shown drowsiness as a major symptom. In fact, a person suffering from chronic sleep deprivation is fifteen times more likely than others to fall asleep while driving! As it can be difficult for oneself to identify, since you’ll be asleep during many of the symptoms, ask your bed partner questions about how you slept, or film yourself during a night’s sleep. If your wife complains about irregular loud snoring or gasps, snorts, or any other unusual sounds, it may be a symptom of a possibly fatal sleeping disorder and needs immediate medical attention. A health care specialist may recommend the use of sleeping medication, surgeries, or maybe the use of our NOMASK, a number one selling device for ending sleeplessness.

Dangers

Studies have proven the lack of rest to be even more dangerous than the lack of food. While not eating can cause death within a month, the lack of sleep can cause death in eleven days! Furthermore, chronic lack of sleep is linked to an array of diseases, disorders, and similar. Sleep apnea face masks can help patients in many ways by keeping constant air levels through the night. Suffering from sleeping disorders may lead to difficulty breathing and constant coughs, ultimately leading to more harmful conditions over a prolonged time. Furthermore,  if the condition remains untreated, the chances of developing serious medical issues increase. Studies have shown sleep apnea sufferers to be as much as twenty times more likely to have heart attacks! For stroke, they are three times more at risk. And because of the daytime drowsiness, as much as fifteen times more likely to be involved in serious car accidents or workplace accidents. While many think of obesity, diabetes, or cigarette smoking as the most harmful to your body, the fact is that a serious sleeping disorder oftentimes is just as dangerous for the human body. More than ninety percent of all clients say they have experienced abnormal heart rhythms, may be particularly during sleeping. This also leads to an unusually high number of people experiencing sudden death from heart failure while asleep. Besides physical conditions such as cardiovascular problems, it is also often related to various physiological and mental disorders as well. Many suffer from excessive daytime drowsiness, worsening memory capabilities, and problems with concentration and coordination, in addition to high irritability, mood swings, severe depression, and anxieties. Of the total number of patients, as many as fifty percent also suffer from higher blood pressure as one of several cardiovascular effects of the disorder. For more information on the treatment and possible dangers of living with chronic lack of sleep, check out Goldstein’s own book “Snoring Can Kill!!”, which outlines numerous symptoms, causes, as well as methods for treating the disorder.

Diagnosing & Treatment

The treatment depends entirely upon the characteristics and severity of your disorder. As with any medical condition, we can not stress enough the importance of consulting a health care specialist or doctor. While physicians and pulmonologists oftentimes recommend CPAP PRO for the treatment of more severe sleeping disorders, other forms of treatment may include medications, changes in diet or lifestyle, and various forms of conventional- and complementary therapies. The most common way of diagnosing the disorder is by a laboratory sleep study, where healthcare specialists will be able to see your oxygen levels when you’re asleep. Our founder, Joseph L. Goldstein, was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in 1996. Disappointed by the few treatments available on the market, Goldstein invented our revolutionary face mask. Since then, our NOMASK has helped thousands of patients throughout the country in treating their sleeping disorders. But what is so special about our product? Well, it is just like any provider of continuous positive airway pressure as a CPAP device, which will help provide oxygen for people suffering from loss of breath during the night. When diagnosed, our owner Goldstein was like many Americans disappointed in the many masks on the market. While some products used uncomfortable straps to keep the mask in place, others had full headgear, making it nearly intolerable to use at night. What is so revolutionary about our product is that it completely eliminates the use of these, by utilizing a simple boil-and-bite mouthpiece as an alternative. The result is a product that is not only easier to use than the others but is actually tolerable and comfortable while in use, making the best CPAP mask available on today’s market. For any questions or concerns, you may have about our products, feel free to contact us today at 800-538-8803.

See also: What Really Happens When You Sleep