The Momma Loves Gringo

The ten most popular posts this year:

1. Healthy for humans, deadly for dogs - We’re so happy that this is number one. We hope that it has prevented many accidental poisonings. A worthwhile read because some of the foods are surprising…and commonly within reach of many dogs.
2. 13 cribbage boards from the momma’s collection
3. CPAP, CPAP run - about sleep apnea
4. My top three dog toys - the most fun ever!
5. The Audiocity of it All! - a list of free audio applications for the Mac
6. NBC Heroes/USA The 4400 - the comments relayed both good and bad news
7. My 11 favorite activities…doggie style - you wouldn’t believe the search terms that led to this post!
8. Tapetum Lucidum - eye shine
9. Feelin’ Groovy - me in agility class…you may as well bypass this if you watched the video in number 7 above.
10. The momma’s 13 favorite computer games

Tags: 4400, agility, Apple, audio, audiocity, cats, chocolate, computer, CPAP, cribbage, dogs, eyes, free, games, grapes, hazard, headache, Heroes, itunes, list, mac, music, nap, NBC, new episodes, ophthalmology, play, poison, polysomnography, sleep apnea, sleep disorder, snoring, sorbitol, squirrel, tapetum, television, toys, trivia, USA, veterinarian, xylitol

For years, the momma woke up every morning with a headache. Six months ago she mentioned this to her PCP who referred her to a sleep disorder clinic. The momma thought it was going to be a waste of time, but after spending the night for a polysomnogram and hooked up to several monitors, she was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

A pediatrics patient prepared for a polysomnogram by a respiratory therapist. St. Louis Children’s Hospital, St. Louis MO, 2006. Robert Lawton (self)

The momma learned that, although morning headaches may be a symptom of sleep apnea, there are several other symptoms associated with this disorder. They include daytime sleepiness, restless sleep, loud snoring, insomnia, trouble concentrating, mood changes, depression, forgetfulness, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, decreased sex drive, weight gain, gastroesophageal reflux, and heavy night sweats

The momma used to think that snoring and sleep apnea were fairly innocuous, but the associated health risks of sleep apnea (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, automobile accidents) are very real. In fact, most health insurance carriers will cover the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea.

Her “sleep doctor” prescribed CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) therapy. In short, a machine blows air into her nose all night long. This air pressure acts as sort of a splint to hold the airways open.

She thought that she would never get used to sleeping with this thing on her face. It only took a few days for her to get used to it at home. More importantly, she has noticed a significant improvement in energy during the day, and very rarely awakens with a headache.

Sometimes she enjoys reading before bed and often falls asleep before putting on the CPAP mask. Because most health insurance carriers will pay for a new mask every six months, she just got the “NEW Quieter Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow System” (ResMed) that has no obstructions for reading or watching TV. It’s very comfortable and fits well.

For more information on sleep disorders, here are a couple of helpful sites worth visiting:

This page on sleepeducation.com has a flash animation of normal breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, and CPAP therapy.

This is a really neat interactive on sleep and wake cycles with the Doze Family.

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Tags: CPAP, headache, polysomnography, sleep apnea, sleep disorder, snoring