Missing the Mark: Stereotypes in Sleep Apnea Diagnosis...There 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...reactions4comments
Overcoming Fear of Using CPAP Around Your Friends...I 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...reactionscomments
Returning to Pre-Diagnosis Symptoms...I 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...reactions1comment
My Most Dreaded Task: Cleaning My CPAP Machine...I 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...reactions1comment
Cutting Through the Fog...I 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...reactionscomments
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...reactionscomments
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...reactions2comments
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...reactionscomments
New Year's Resolution: Make Your CPAP Therapy Work for You...Are 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...reactions2comments
Your Whole Body Needs You to Treat Your Sleep Apnea...Obstructive 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...reactions3comments
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...reactionscomments
Sleep Environment Tips for Better Sleep...I 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...reactionscomments
Everyone’s Experience Is Different, and That’s OK...Recently, 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...reactions1comment
Troubleshooting Common CPAP Tube and Machine Issues...When 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...reactionscomments
Not a Behavior Issue...My 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...reactionscomments
Cleaning My CPAP...Cleaning 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...reactionscomments
Double Whammy: Sleep Apnea and Insomnia...Having 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...reactionscomments
Mouth Taping and Sleep Apnea: What to Know Before Trying...Noses play an important role in our respiratory system because they work to protect our airways and lungs. The nose warms, humidifies, and even filters the air we breathe in...reactions2comments
Travels With CPAP: Making the Best of the TSA Line...I’ve used positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for my moderate obstructive sleep apnea for over 3 years now. In that time, I’ve traveled by plane from Seattle to Phoenix, Philadelphia, Honolulu/Lihue...reactions10comments