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Claustrophobia and CPAP 

1/6/2013

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One of the first issues I hear when a person comes into a sleep lab to be introduced to a CPAP is that they have claustrophobia; that you cannot stand to have anything on your face.  There is always an excuse for not tolerating therapy.  Most of the reason has to do with feeling out of control.  There are so many ways that can create a successful experience.

Let’s start with the mask.  It is probably the most important piece of equipment you will use and the easiest to change.  If you are unable to use the mask during the night of your study tell your tech, however, what usually happens is that they use the mask for 1-3 days at home and find that it is not the best mask for them.  It may move too much causing leaks, it might cause your skin to mark or breakdown, it might make your eyes dry; all these issues can be handles with a change of mask.  It is also common for people who are claustrophobic to be much more successful with a full face mask due to the ability to breathe through both the nose and mouth which will make anyone more comfortable.  Your insurance will pay for replacement mask during the first thirty days of the therapy.   After the first thirty days a new mask must be ordered.  At many centers they will allow you to trial or borrow masks to find one that will work for you.

Knowing how to perform relaxation techniques will allow you to be successful when you are trying to fall asleep the first few days.  It can also help on days where your stress level is high.  The two techniques I have found that help are progressive relaxation.  This is easy to learn and allows you to focus on relaxing as well as helping you to focus your thinking.

1.       Start at your feet and tighten  them as tight as you can, hold for the count of ten and then allow them to relax and go limp

2.       Progressively move up the body focusing on one muscle group at a time. 

3.       To reach the top of your head should be having spent about 10 minutes on deep breathing and your muscles may be relaxed.  This centered concentration helps increase oxygen levels and allows the mind to camp down preparing it for bed.

Diaphragmatic breathing is another exercise that will allow you to relax and breathe deeply with a technique that takes focus.  Lie flat on your back with your hand on your stomach just below your ribs.  As you take a slow deep breath in push your hand out; when you exhale draw in your abdominal muscles so you are pulling your hand in.  I usually like to hold the breath 3-5 second between peak inhalation and exhalation.  Having to concentrate allows the mind to calm and it increases the oxygen level from doing nice slow inhalations.

If relaxation techniques do not work for you medication or working with a councilor that practices Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Your physical can help you to find assistance that will work for you.  It is not unusual for someone to need a little extra support, this is long term therapy and sometimes it takes a little time to become compliant with it.

Some accessories can help you with some of the small issues.  Chin Up strips can help a mouth breather minimize the leak.  A Gecko will help with sores on the nose and leaks into the eyes.  A heated hose might help with mouth drying. 

Overall working with a patient technologist or physician is the best way to be successful when using PAP.  The more you communicate about your issues the sooner a solution to help you be successful on your machine, and sleeping a healthy sleep.

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I Do Not Want To Take Pills for my Insomnia

7/5/2011

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Many people suffer from insomnia.  Whether it is a child or an adult, a stressful time or an ongoing problem, or you can’t fall asleep or stay asleep.  Insomnia affects everyone at some time or another.  The issue is that although there are medications that might help many people do not want to start with medication to solve this problem.  So what care some solutions to help?
  • Look at your sleep environment.  Clutter can creep up on you or your child and can cause you to feel uneasy.  Clean up the bedroom.  Make it a relaxing place.  If there is a work desk in there make sure it is cleared and should not remind you of work that needs to be done.  This is especially true of children during the school year.  Make sure the curtains block out light and reduce noise. You want a comfortable dark quiet environment.
  • Is your per sleeping with you?  Pets can be very disruptive during the night.  They may be loving and affectionate but this does not help you to sleep.  If you have a dog that is prone to dreaming and nightmares they can disturb your sleep as well. 
  • Add relaxation techniques to your bedtime routine.  There are many ways of adding relaxation techniques to your evening routine.  Progressive relaxation is one of the easiest to teach yourself of your child.  You basically go through your body one part at a time and systematically tighten and relax your muscles.  You can use a CD of guided imagery to help you to relax your mind.  You can even do a simple yoga routine to help stretch your body and center your mind.
  • If you have been in bed for 30 minutes and are wide awake get up.  Take time to do a quiet activity like reading.  Do not watch television or get on the computer as they will stimulate the region of your brain that tells you it is time to be awake. 
  • Get some exercise in the morning.  If you go out and take a walk in the morning it will not only stimulate your body to be awake but the light will stimulate your brain to be awake.  This will help you to be more awake and less fatigued during the day so you are able to sleep better at night.
  • Do not take a nap.  This does not apply to young children who need more sleep because they are growing and learning.  This applies to adults especially on the weekends.  Sleep during the day will decrease your drive to sleep during the night when you want to sleep. 
These are just some ideas on how to help improve your sleep and reduce your night time insomnia.  If you continue to have issues with insomnia then visit your doctor and discuss your symptoms with him.  Your insomnia may be caused from something that your doctor can help you with.  The most important part is to not allow yourself to be too tired during the day because that will cause other problems you do not want.

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  • Home
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