CPAPMan Blog

Daniel R., Early College High School

Ever since I was little, I have had trouble sleeping. At first my parents thought that it was because I had a lot of energy. After all, little kids tend to have a lot of energy to burn. However, the primary reason why I couldn’t fall asleep was because I was afraid of the dark. As a child I was very afraid of things that I did not understand, and to be honest I still am. I would not be able to fall asleep until it was very late or if my dad slept besides me. I was very afraid of spiders, snakes, and scorpions. One night, after we came home from the zoo, I could not fall asleep. I began to see the snakes and spiders everywhere on my room. I would cry a lot and was in a constant state of fear. Even though my father was there, I could still see them. It wasn’t until about four in the morning that I could fall asleep. So as a result the probable cause of my sleep disorder was my phobia to crawling animals.

As I got older, the reasons were different. My bedtime was always at 9:30 p.m. However if I wasn’t at bed by that time, I could not fall asleep. The reason why I couldn’t fall asleep if I went to bed late was unknown. However, I believe that it had to do with the idea that I had that if I didn’t go to bed I would not fall asleep. As I went to high school, I could still not fall asleep. The reasons were related to stress. My sophomore year was the first year I went to a public school, it was very stressful adjusting to the system. In order to fall asleep, I began to take melatonin 3mg pills. I began to fall asleep and was able to get rest. I have learned from my experiences and have discussed this with my friends and teachers to see if there any that were like me. In fact, one teacher, Mrs. Baker, had a son who had sleep apnea. She told me that her son was unable to breathe while sleeping and had to take him to the hospital for a time. Afterwards, she brought him home with a CPAP, which is a machine that monitors the breathing and vital signs of the baby. I have talked to people in order to help them and have recommended things for them to do. For example, to face their fears on order to sleep and finding ways to relax and reduce stress. The study of sleep is imperative because without sleep, the body deteriorate.

Emily W., Columbia College Chicago

For as long as I can remember, I thought my dad was some sort of monster—family man by day, chainsaw by night. It sounds like a new sitcom, doesn’t it? The brand new show My Dad’s a Chainsaw! Series premiere this Friday at 7! Unfortunately, this is more like my own reality TV show. Growing up, I could often hear his snoring from my bedroom or our downstairs living room. I loathed family trips with my dad that would require us to sleep in the same room as his disturbingly loud and unpredictable snorts for air led to a sleepless night for me. On these nights, there would be a period of silence—a much-appreciated hiatus to the snoring—before a sound so loud would erupt from his gaping mouth it would practically shake the room. The chainsaw-like snore would make me jump, upsetting any attempt I made to sleep. Fed up with my dad depriving me of rest during our family vacations, I practically petitioned he not come on vacations with my mother and I. My mom began sleeping in our guest bedroom, expressing her frustrations and concerns to me, my parents’ relationship suffering.

My dad was unaware of how excessive his snoring was. Sure, he never felt refreshed in the morning and sometimes would wake in the night for seemingly no reason, but it couldn’t have been because of snoring, right? My dad thought it was normal to feel tired upon waking and simply wrote off his symptoms as side effects of being a smoker. My mom suggested to him for years he see a doctor about the snoring. It was not until he learned that his brother used a sleep apnea machine did he decide to finally look into it. After seeing his doctor and experiencing his first sleep studies—one of which involved a brash, pushy nurse named Olga—the results were in: severe sleep apnea. My mom was more concerned than he was. She was terrified at the idea of him having a stroke, a serious symptom of sleep apnea if left untreated.

“It’s not a problem anymore, but the machine was the hardest part to get used to,” my dad tells me, though I am sure it is more pleasant than having to deal with Olga again. “You have to make sure it’s plugged in, fill it with water, put on the mask, and turn the machine on.” A sleep apnea machine, or CPAP machine, continuously increases the air pressure in the user’s throat, allowing them to breathe easier. To keep users from getting a dry mouth during the night, the machine regulates humidity, which is why it is important for users to fill it with water. The machine has changed the way he approaches sleep, saying, “You can’t just fall asleep while watching TV; you have to decide when you’re going to sleep and prepare.” To some this may sound negative, the machine requiring preparation and for users to change their lax sleeping habits. With the increase of technology use in recent years, it has become common knowledge that “screen time” before bed—meaning TV, laptop, and phone use—affects one’s ability to both fall asleep and experience a good rest. By having to take that extra care of turning off the TV and making a conscious decision to sleep, using a sleep apnea machine is actually enforcing positive sleeping habits. Cutting before bed screen time and having a more structured sleep schedule are important steps to a healthier lifestyle.

I am so grateful that my father finally uses a sleep apnea machine. It means that both he and those around him are able to get a restful sleep. It does not sound like someone is trying to cut a tree down using a broken chainsaw down the hall at night anymore. Replacing it is the sleep apnea machine’s surprisingly quiet, peaceful hum. I am no longer bitter about vacation sleeping arrangements and actually look forward to spending time with my dad again. Now if only they had a machine for his sleeping walking…

Hayley McG.,  Lansingburgh High School

Sleeping disorders is affecting more and more people every year. College kids are a large part of the population that is being effected by sleeping disorder. There are many types of sleeping disorders but there are a few common types that a person is likely to develop. The first disorder is insomnia which is when a person has problems falling and staying asleep. Another is Obstructive sleep apnea which is intermittent airflow backstage during sleep. The final most common sleep disorder is sleep walking which is when a person will get up and walk around while sleeping. Sleep walking can be very dangerous because a person isn’t in their right state of mind and can possibly hurt themselves or others. Most college kids receive around 6 hours of sleep when 6-10 hours is recommended for young adults and adults. There are many negative effects of not being able to sleep well. A few consequences that affect people with minimum sleep are more illness, such as colds and flu; feeling stressed out, increased weight gain, lower academic performance and increased the chances of developing depression and anxiety. Another unfortunate effect of sleeping disorders is the chances of automobile accidents will increase greatly because some people will drive even though their full attention isn’t with them. Many students’ grades will suffer severely due to lack of sleep. Many students will be late to class or not even show up. Other students will hand in their assignments late or turn them in but not with 100% effort.  Students test scores may also plummet due to the fact of memory loss. When a person is lacking sleep, memorizing things becomes a much more difficult task. There are many steps to take to establish a good sleeping routine. Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable, and cool, sleep on a comfortable mattress and pillows. Finish eating at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime will help you fall asleep better. Exercising is also a great method to help you fall asleep. Working out will make you tired, healthy, and improve your daily life! One should also avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before bed. If a person feels very sleep deprived, they should visit a doctor soon to see if maybe they have a sleeping disorder. There are many signs that a person has developed a sleeping disorder. Some of the warning signs to look about for include, having trouble getting to sleep or wake up frequently during the night for a period of several weeks. Having nightmares or night terrors that interrupt your sleep can be a big sign of sleeping disorders. Having been told by someone that you stop breathing during sleep, especially if you have morning headaches or fall asleep easily during the day is a sign that a person would need to see a doctor as soon as possible. Sleeping disorders are common but there are many things a person can do to try and prevent them from affecting their lifestyle.

WADE C., CEDAR CREEK HIGH SCHOOL

Have you ever had that one special person in your house that you love dearly, but when it comes time to go to sleep you almost want to push their bed outside? This is how I live; a life of misery because of a common problem…snoring. My mother snores so loud that it rattles the boards on the second floor. So, after a doctor’s appointment and several household complaints, she was placed on a CPAP machine. I really can’t tell you how excited I was to finally have a cure for a 17 year problem.

I actually thought this was going to be a great invention and I would finally get a well-rested night of sleep. Boy was I wrong! I must say the snoring MAY have stopped; I am not sure because I couldn’t hear it over the CPAP machine! The machine is so loud that I still get little rest and am trying to figure out how to push the bed and machine outside. I would like to ask the doctors what they were thinking when they diagnosed her and placed her on the machine. Really doc, you did spend a night with her and actually heard how loud she snores? But doc, have you spent a night with the CPAP machine? I cannot be the only person that thinks this is so loud that I want to rid myself of the bed, CPAP machine, doctor, and now my mother!

Our family often wondered why my mother’s mood and temper were often off balance. She was so disappointed because of weight gain and sought several doctors for advice. It wasn’t until our family doctor decided to try sleep therapy and place her on a CPAP machine that things started to change. Sleep therapy devices are used by several people. Much of the time they are convenient and cost effective. All medical information on the CPAP is so accurate that my mother wakes well rested and ready to start a new day. I now enjoy a huge breakfast cooked by my well-rested and wide eyed mother. Now, I need to find out how to medicate myself for lack of sleep. So I ask, doc would you like to spend a night with me and find a bigger and better machine?

With all the laughs and jokes aside; the machine has been proven to assist those that have an obstructive airway. It passes air into your nasal cavity and mouth continuously to avoid disrupted sleep. One benefit of the CPAP machine is that you use the machine in your own home. It has added new heated air in some models to avoid the dry air that causes sore throats or nose bleeds. The machine has given my mother a well-rested night and a better outlook on the future.