Better Sleep Eugene Blog
Can Sleeping with a Weighted Blanket Treat Sleep Apnea?
February 5, 2022

Weighted blankets have become the recent craze to help people fall and stay asleep. Many people say sleeping under a weighted blanket feels like being wrapped up in a warm hug. New research suggests that the gentle, even pressure a weighted blanket applies to the whole body can have powerful effects on hormones and even help people with obstructive sleep apnea. Keep reading to learn how a weighted blanket can be used as a sleep apnea treatment in Eugene.
(more…)Secondhand Smoke Linked to Sleep Apnea in Children
January 25, 2022
Research shows between 50 to 70 million adults in the United States have sleep apnea. The most common type is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway, called obstructive sleep apnea. While many people believe the sleep disorder only affects adults, children aren’t immune to it. Children of all ages can experience frequent interruptions in breathing, which can affect their physical and mental health. While only 4% of children have sleep apnea, you might be unknowingly placing them at risk. Besides asthma and other health problems linked to secondhand smoke, new research shows it is also connected to childhood sleep apnea.
How Sleep Apnea May Be Harming Your Relationships
December 20, 2021

Most medical conditions have repercussions that affect, not just the person who is ill, but also those around them. Sleep apnea in Eugene is no exception to the rule. It can have consequences for your relationships with your partner, your other family members, your friends, and even your coworkers. Let’s talk about some of the specific ways in which it can influence your interactions with others and how treatment can help.
(more…)Was Your CPAP Recalled? Try an Oral Appliance Instead!
December 15, 2021

A recent recall of Philips Respironics CPAP machines affected millions of people, leaving them without a reliable way to address their sleep apnea. Were you among them? If so, you may be wondering if there are reliable CPAP alternatives in Eugene that could help you manage your condition. Fortunately, the answer is yes! Many people have benefited from oral appliance therapy. Let’s talk about what an oral appliance is and some of the advantages it has over CPAP machines.
(more…)3 Tips for Traveling with Sleep Apnea
November 7, 2021

Many people are traveling at this time of year to visit family and friends. Do you have plans to hit the road or perhaps even go abroad for a winter vacation? While you are preparing for your trip, one of the things you should consider is how you can continue to get high-quality rest even when you are away from home. Let’s talk about three simple and practical tips for traveling with sleep apnea.
(more…)How Napping Can Interfere with Your Sleep Apnea Treatment
October 15, 2021

You’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea in Eugene, and you’re currently using an oral sleep appliance in combination with a number of at-home treatments in order to reduce your symptoms. While you’ve seen some improvements, you’re wondering if there’s more you can do. Perhaps taking a nap here and there might help? It might seem like an obvious solution, but in actuality, napping and sleep apnea are generally a poor combination.
(more…)OSA and COVID-19: What You Need to Know
September 5, 2021

We were all hoping that the COVID-19 pandemic would be a memory by now, but with new variants spreading like wildfire, it remains a significant public health threat. Certain groups are at a higher risk of suffering from severe COVID, including those who have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This blog post delves into the link between COVID and sleep apnea, and it discusses how sleep apnea treatment in Eugene may be able to help.
(more…)An Introduction to the 4 Stages of Sleep
August 6, 2021

Each night, your body goes on a journey through four different stages of sleep. Each stage plays a unique and important role in supporting your overall wellness, and disruptions in your sleep cycle may adversely affect your health. What happens during each portion of your sleep cycle, and how can you make sure that you enjoy the full benefits of each of them? Let’s talk about the answers to these questions.
(more…)Sleep Apnea Is on the Rise — Why?
July 9, 2021

In the 1990s, it was estimated that 0.6 million people in the U.S. had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, while about 10 million had sleep apnea symptoms but had not yet been diagnosed. More recent estimates on how many people have sleep apnea can vary widely, but some believe that the number exceeds 25 million — and when you account for how many cases remain undiagnosed, the true figure could actually be much higher. Clearly, sleep apnea in Eugene and throughout the U.S. have been on the rise in recent decades. Why is this the case, and what can you do to protect yourself from sleep apnea?
(more…)Why Your Smart Phone is Making Your Sleep Apnea Worse
July 6, 2021

Screens. They are becoming more ubiquitous in our everyday lives with each passing day, offering a nearly endless source of entertainment and information. Unfortunately, they are also one of the biggest culprits behind persistent sleep issues. This is particularly true when it comes to smart phones, and if you have sleep apnea, simply using one right before bed can make getting the rest you need much more difficult. Why? Learn why putting your phone down at night might be one of the best things you can do.
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