How I Felt Before CPAP TherapyThe best way I can describe how I felt before starting continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is feeling hungover without drinking. I felt awful! The morning headaches, the daytime...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
The What, When, and Why of Treatment: Results From the Inaugural Sleep Disorders In America SurveySleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders in America, affecting more than 18 million people. Yet, receiving a sleep apnea diagnosis might come as a surprise. If...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Making the Most of Your CPAP Machine Comfort SettingsDuring your initial meeting with the sleep specialist, they typically go over the basics of how to use your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Much of the emphasis is...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Missing the Mark: Stereotypes in Sleep Apnea DiagnosisThere is a persistent stereotype in the public at large that sleep apnea affects mainly older, overweight men. This leaves so many people, who don't fit that description, undiagnosed and struggling...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Overcoming Fear of Using CPAP Around Your FriendsI am writing this article with younger CPAP users in mind. If you haven’t been following my story I am now in my 40s. My sleep apnea diagnosis came when I...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Returning to Pre-Diagnosis SymptomsI am going to assume that almost all of us, including myself, thought that once we were diagnosed and there was a clear treatment plan to help with our sleep...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Most Dreaded Task: Cleaning My CPAP MachineI am a huge checklist person. Every Monday morning I start my day by writing out my day-to-day schedule for the week with an accompanying “to-do” list. Last on the...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Cutting Through the FogI have heard "brain fog" referred to as a common complaint for people with sleep disorders and other chronic illnesses. I didn’t give it much thought until the last few...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
What Is CPAP Compliance?I’m sure the word "compliance" was brought up several times during your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine setup, and you may have received calls to make sure you are...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
How Do You Get Screened for Sleep Apnea?You’ve been told you snore enough to awaken the entire household. Or, you discover yourself waking up over and over, your heart racing, your throat sore, and your body covered...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Sleep Apnea and the Scales of "JustUs"So often we realize the importance of a scale. Which scale? The bathroom scale or the food scale? Each of these has importance in our bodies. Yet, there is another...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
New Year's Resolution: Make Your CPAP Therapy Work for YouAre you a brand-new user of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and worried about this new nightly treatment? Or are you, maybe, a CPAP dropout – someone who’s abandoned the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Your Whole Body Needs You to Treat Your Sleep ApneaObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) describes the mechanical failure of the upper airway to allow adequate oxygen into your lungs during sleep. Without adequate oxygen during sleep, you can suffer from...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
Can You Cure Sleep Apnea?This is a question I asked myself when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Is there a cure for sleep apnea? The short answer is no, but it comes with...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Sleep Environment Tips for Better SleepI have found focusing on what I can control with sleep apnea to be enormously helpful. Your sleep environment makes a big difference to how well you sleep and you...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Everyone’s Experience Is Different, and That’s OKRecently, a moderator on the Health Union Sleep Apnea Facebook Page asked readers a question: How long did it take you to get used to sleeping with a CPAP? I...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Troubleshooting Common CPAP Tube and Machine IssuesWhen first starting out on continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, there are so many things you need to learn. It’s common to run into issues, including how to fix...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Not a Behavior IssueMy children are 16 and 14 now, but when my sons were little, they were an extreme handful. Most parents would agree that 2 boys are busy, yet two within...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Cleaning My CPAPCleaning your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine properly is vital for maintaining the equipment and using it safely. In this video, I demonstrate how I disassemble and clean my...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Double Whammy: Sleep Apnea and InsomniaHaving some difficulty falling asleep is pretty common and may fluctuate throughout your lifetime. This can be especially true during times of increased stress and anxiety. COVID-19 may have been...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments