You’ve settled into bed, your CPAP machine is gently humming, and you’re ready for a restful night’s sleep…until you hear that tell-tale hissing sound or feel a breeze of air on your face.
If that sounds familiar, you’re likely dealing with CPAP mask leak, one of the most common challenges in CPAP therapy. While some level of leak is normal and even expected with CPAP equipment, too much of it can disrupt your therapy and your sleep.
In this blog, we’ll explore what mask leak is, why it happens and what you can do about it to stay comfortable and get the most from your treatment.
Each year on April 7th, World Health Day serves as a reminder of the importance of global health issues. This year, let’s shine a light on a condition that affects a billion people worldwide but often goes unnoticed: sleep apnea.1 Here in Australia, an estimated 20% of the general population suffers from moderate to severe sleep apnea. Yet, despite its prevalence, over 80% of cases remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Tossing and turning at night? You’re not alone. Insomnia is more than just the occasional sleepless night—it’s a genuine sleep disorder that affects millions of Australians, and women are twice as likely as men to struggle with it. Why? Hormonal changes, mood swings, and the daily pressures of life all play a part.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, often leading to menstrual irregularities, hormone imbalances, ovarian cysts, and weight gain.1 It is the leading cause of female infertility and increases the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Over half of women with PCOS develop diabetes by age 40.2Now, what many people don’t realise is that PCOS may also increase the risk of another serious health issue: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a chronic treatable sleep disorder and a frequent comorbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary features of obstructive sleep apnoea include sleep fragmentation and frequent cessation of breathing resulting in hypoxia have been linked to abnormal glucose metabolism in various experiments. OSA is also strongly associated with the development of incident type 2 diabetes. So why do those with type 2 diabetes appear to have a greater risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea?
A common problem for those with untreated obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is that the excessive daytime sleepiness makes it extremely difficult to exercise due to a lack of energy and motivation. So if CPAP treatment can help to reduce apnoea events during sleep, will adherence to CPAP use result in an increase in physical activity?
Article Highlights: - Magnesium is a popular supplement for enhancing sleep. - Magnesium is an essential mineral for many functions in the body. - For many complex reasons, magnesium deficiency is becoming more common. - Most over the counter magnesium supplements are poorly absorbed and can result in gastrointestinal distress. - Epsom salt soaks can also be beneficial. - Magnesium sufficiency is important, but not a cure-all. - Check your RBC magnesium levels with your doctor to determine your magnesium status.
Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) is a condition of varying severity. Some may only experience very mild OSA, whereas others can have a very severe form. Treatment options for OSA depend greatly on the severity of the patient’s symptoms. There are several different primary treatment options for those suffering with OSA designed to cater for mild, moderate and severe forms.
Sleep Apnoea can go undiagnosed and untreated for years. The ramifications of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) can be long-lasting and severe without proper management. Unfortunately, many individuals are either unaware of their condition or have yet to pursue the appropriate treatment options with their doctor.
