Even if you are not short of breath, or experiencing symptoms of breathlessness, you blood oxygen levels could be dangerously low! Read this blog to learn about how much oxygen you are getting compared to how much you need. 

The hallmark symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, or feeling breathless. It's certainly one of the most common symptoms, as well as that most invasive. Whether you're the person with COPD or the caregiver, shortness of breath is scary and unsettling for everyone involved.

There are devices called pulse oximeters, which measure your oxygen saturation levels. This is important for COPD patients to know how much oxygen they are able to process. Pulse oximeters have become more popular and accessible in recent years. 

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This is both a good and bad thing because COPD patients may be relying as much on their oximetry results as their actual symptoms when evaluating their breathing capabilities. It can cause a lot of confusion. 

The confusion comes from having a "normal" oxygen saturation level, but still feeling extremely short of breath. Also, it might be hard to notice any symptoms even when your oxygen saturation levels are dangerously low. 

We are going to clear up this confusion in this blog.

The Difference Between Shortness of Breath and Being Hypoxic

There are the three main factors that impact how well your body is able to take up and use oxygen.

1. How well your lungs absorb oxygen into your body and release carbon dioxide. 
2. How well your heart is able to pump oxygen throughout your body.
3. How well your cells and muscles use the oxygen they get from your blood.

Obviously, various diseases like COPD or heart disease will inhibit some or all three of those factors. COPD causes intense lung damage, and even cardiac problems, that definitely can impact all three of these.Treatment methods including medication, supplemental oxygen therapy,  and exercise can help in improving the way your body utilizes oxygen, and in turn, making you less short of breath. 

Feeling breathless

Have you ever felt yourself gasping for air, or feeling out of breath even when you’re not exerting yourself? Well this can happen to anyone, and while it is a common symptom of COPD, not everyone who feels short of breath has COPD. 

Breathlessness is associated with lung damage and/or airway inflammation but it can also be caused by: 

1. Heart health
2. How fit you are
3. Emotions
4. Weather
5. Altitude
6. Infection
7. Low red blood cell count (anemia)

Even if you are t feeling breathless, this does not always mean that you are hypoxic.

Being Hypoxic or Having Hypoxemia

There is a difference between hypoxemia and being hypoxic. Hypoxia is when there is a low level of oxygen in your blood. Being hypoxic means that not enough oxygen is getting to your body's cells. 

These impact your body at two different stages when your body is working to absorb oxygen.  

You can find your oxygen saturation level and test whether or not you have these conditions. There are two ways to measure it:

1. Arterial blood gases test. This takes place at your doctor’s or a with a lab tech
2. Using a pulse oximeter. This you can do on your own, and the small device fits over a finger tip. It uses infrared rays to measure the percentage of oxygen in your blood.

Oxygen saturation is largely dependent on your overall health. This can be indicated by how fast you are breathing during activity and rest.

A typical healthy person has oxygen saturation levels that range from 95 to 100%.When saturation levels drop to 90% and below that is considered low and unhealthy. COPD patients often dip below 90% at times.

Feeling Breathless But Not Hypoxic

Now that you have an understanding of oxygen saturation, and the symptoms associated with low levels of oxygen, you might be wondering, “Why am I so short of breath, but my oxygen levels are still normal?" 

Well, even if you're experiencing extreme breathlessness, but your oxygen saturation levels remain in that 95% - 100% healthy range, then supplemental oxygen will not solve your problem. 

Instead, you need to learn how to recover from breathlessness. Try stopping what you’re doing and resting right away.

After stopping the action that caused your breathlessness try these additional actions:

1. Remind yourself that you know what to do. Taking action can help you overcome the anxiety that often goes along with being short of breath.
2. Position yourself to breathe easier. Leaning forward or bending over helps drop your abdomen away from your lungs, making breathing easier. Lean your arms on your knees or on some stationary object like the wall or a counter. (I remember often seeing my dad doing this, especially after a severe coughing spell.)
3. Work on controlling your breathing. If you know how to do diaphragmatic or pursed lip breathing, then do so. If you haven't learned those techniques yet, then at least work on slowing and deepening your breaths in and out.
4. Once you are feeling better and more in control of your breaths, it may be time to resume whatever you had been doing. But you may need to modify the intensity to avoid re-triggering your breathlessness.

Pulmonary rehab is another great tool that can be beneficial in teaching you how to avoid and/or deal with this symptom. These are classes you take with trained professionals, they teach you breathing exercises and physical activities that are good for your level of health. 

You can also look into a rescue, or quick-relief, inhaler. Talk with your doctor about these options, because they can offer some relief in your situation. 

Hypoxic But Not Feeling Breathless 

Even if you are not feeling at all breathless, your oxygen levels can still be low, and this is an important concept to understand. Low oxygen saturation levels are not healthy, do not  ignore it. Get your oxygen levels tested regularly, even if you are not short of breath.

If you do measure low oxygen levels during a blood test, or while conducting pulse oximeter tests. Speak with your doctor right away about the next steps you must take to get your levels to normal. 

This is often when people need a portable oxygen concentrator to use as their additional source of oxygen. Devices like the Inogen One G5, and the ARYA P5 Portable Oxygen Concentrator often oxygen patients medical grade oxygen they can use 24/7. 

It means your blood and tissues are not getting the oxygen they need to survive, and it needs to be addressed right away.

The answer to hypoxia is supplemental oxygen therapy. However, how much and how often you need oxygen depends on the progression of hypoxia you are experiencing and your health care team will determine this. It is also important that your healthcare team helps you with a plan for how often to measure your oxygen levels with a home pulse oximeter.

Overview 

If you have COPD, remember that shortness of breath (and other symptoms, such as coughing) are an important thing to take note of. Track your symptoms to measure your current health status and how your health changes over time.

As far as knowing your oxygen saturation level, you will need to monitor this regularly because even if you are not short of breath your oxygen levels could be low, and that is dangerous. This is around the time you will need to call LPT Medical at 1+(800)-946-1201 to talk about your oxygen device options. On the other hand, and unfortunately so, it is entirely possible to be short of breath, but have healthy oxygen saturation.

COPD is a relatively common and well-researched condition, which means there are lots of different medications and treatments to help people who suffer from the disease. These include a variety of "natural" treatments for COPD patients that can alleviate both physical and psychological symptoms.

Natural COPD treatments are non-pharmacological treatments that you can take control of yourself. They are opportunities to make changes to your personal habits, health routines, and nutrition to more effectively treat your COPD symptoms at home.

In this post, we're going to introduce you to a number of natural treatments that you can use to improve your COPD. We'll show you how supplements, lifestyle changes, and other natural solutions can help you better manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

By helping you take a more well-rounded approach to your health, natural treatments can boost your physical health, mental health, and help you avoid serious health complications from COPD. Using natural treatments can also help you feel more in control of your health and your overall well-being.

The treatments we discuss in this guide are generally safe, accessible, and effective, as long as they are used in combination with standard treatments for COPD. Continue reading to learn more about a variety of natural COPD treatments and what they can do for you.

What is a “Natural” Treatment?

It's important to understand that “natural” is a word that means many different things to different people. It doesn't have any definite scientific or legal definition, which is why it's important to specify what we mean when we refer to a treatment as “natural”.

In this guide, we use “natural” to refer to treatments that don't rely on medical equipment or standard pharmaceutical medications. Instead, the natural treatments we will discuss are the kinds that don't require a prescription or significant supervision from a doctor.

These natural treatments, which include things like nutritional supplements, mind-body exercises, and healthy lifestyle changes, are still recommended by doctors and supported by many in the medical community. This is key, because you should never try to treat your disease with unknown or unsupported treatments.

It's also vital to understand that these natural treatments are not alternatives to taking your prescription medication and should never be used as a replacement for proper medical care. Unfortunately, there is no real replacement or “alternative” to medical COPD treatments, and you should never use any natural treatments that interfere with your primary COPD treatment plan in any way.

The “standard” treatment for COPD, which includes medication, lifestyle changes, and other medical treatments, has been carefully crafted and tested by medical experts. It is still the best known way to manage COPD, and the only known way to slow down the progression of the disease.

However, there are still a variety of natural techniques that you can use to improve your COPD symptoms and your quality of life. Doctors often recommend these natural options, in addition to standard treatments, as a means for their patients to better manage and cope with their disease.

Many people with COPD also appreciate natural treatments because they give them a stronger sense of ownership and involvement in their health. They allow you to take certain aspects of your treatment into your own hands, giving you a better sense of control over your disease.

Natural treatments also help you stay focused on important non-physical aspects of your life, such as your mental and emotional health. In this way, it can expand the scope of your treatment and ensure that you cover all your bases when it comes to your physical and mental well-being.

Natural Treatments for COPD

Now that you understand what a natural treatment is, let's take a closer look at what these treatments actually are. In the next sections, we'll introduce you to a wide selection of the most effective natural treatments you can use to improve your COPD.

Nutritional Supplements

A large number of people with COPD struggle to maintain proper nutrition. Often, this is a result of poor appetite, poor diet, or severe COPD symptoms that make it difficult to eat.

This is exacerbated by the fact that many COPD patients need extra calories to fuel their breathing muscles, which have to work overtime to help them breathe. This need for a high-calorie diet makes it much easier for people with COPD to become malnourished.

Another nutritional problem results from the fact that COPD tends to affect people later in life, when living a healthy lifestyle is often a struggle. At the same time that their bodies are especially vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies, many older adults struggle to get enough nutrients from their diet.

That's why many people with COPD take nutritional supplements to keep their brain, lungs, and the rest of their body strong. These supplements not only prevent nutritional deficiencies and help you manage your COPD symptoms, but some may also help stave off serious diseases and other health complications.

The nutritional supplements we discuss in this section could be beneficial to many COPD patients, but will not be useful to everyone. And remember, you always need to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet or nutrition.

When possible, it is best to get your nutrients from a well-balanced diet instead of a supplement. However, taking nutritional supplements is a helpful and often necessary way to ensure you get all the nutrients you need every day.

What's more, studies show that some supplements can even help patients who don't have nutritional deficiencies improve their COPD. What works for you will depend on your individual physiology, your symptoms, and what your doctor recommends.

Calcium

Because many patients suffer from bone density loss, calcium is important for people with COPD. Calcium is the primary nutrient responsible for keeping your bones healthy and strong, and getting too little causes bone loss and osteoporosis.

Getting enough calcium is particularly important for people with COPD, who are more prone to osteoporosis. This is because certain COPD medications, older age, and systemic inflammation caused by COPD all impair your body's ability to repair your bones.

Once you start to lose bone density, you become more prone to accidents, skeletal disfigurement, and loss of physical mobility. Even just one bad fall or injury could result in a break that significantly affects your ability to manage your COPD.

That's why experts recommend that COPD patients take extra steps to prevent calcium deficiency, which often includes taking calcium supplements. You should also make an effort to get plenty of calcium from food sources like dairy, vegetables, and fortified grains.

Getting lots of calcium through diet and supplements is a great natural treatment that helps COPD patients keep their bones and bodies strong. It may even prolong your life by protecting you against debilitating injuries and major losses in physical mobility.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another vital nutrient that your body needs to prevent serious problems and health conditions related to COPD. In fact, your body can't even absorb calcium without vitamin D, which makes is just as important as calcium for keeping your bones in good shape.

But vitamin D is needed for much more than just your bones; it plays a role in your immune system, your cardiovascular health, and may even play a direct role in treating COPD. Unfortunately, a large number of COPD patients have vitamin D deficiencies, particularly those whose disease is more severe.

Because of this, many experts recommend that COPD patients take extra vitamin D to supplement their diets. Studies show that getting enough vitamin D can prevent exacerbations, preserve your cardiovascular health, and even slow the progression of your disease.

Some research even suggests that taking Vitamin D supplements can improve your ability to breathe. By strengthening your breathing muscles and making it easier to exercise, vitamin D may be an effective way to improve your physical fitness and mobility.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an important nutrient for keeping your lungs healthy and strong. It works in your lungs to build and repair lung tissue, which is what makes it particularly important for people with COPD.

If you don't get enough vitamin A from your diet, it can make your lungs more vulnerable to infections. By reducing your lungs' ability to repair themselves, it may even make them more prone to damage from inflammation caused by respiratory illnesses and irritants like smoke.

That's why experts recommend that COPD patients take vitamin A supplements if they are likely to have a deficiency. Studies show that it may even reduce your risk for respiratory infections and further damage to your lungs.

However, taking a vitamin A supplement is not recommended if you get enough of the vitamin in your diet. In fact, too much vitamin A can cause serious health problems like liver damage, which is why you should always consult your doctor before starting a new supplement.

The Antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine

Researchers have found that COPD patients experience more “oxidative stress” than people who don't have the disease. Although experts still don't completely understand how oxidative stress works, it seems to play a role in worsening lung damage and respiratory function in people with COPD.

This has led many COPD researchers to investigate antioxidants, which they believe may be able to reduce oxidative stress in the lungs. In that way, they believe that certain antioxidants may slow down the respiratory decline experienced by COPD patients.

One antioxidant, known a N-Acetlycysteine, shows the most potential as a treatment for COPD. Researchers believe that it may have a protective effect on the lungs by protecting them from damage caused by oxidative stress.

Some studies also show that N-Acetylcysteine can also reduce chronic inflammation, which is another major cause of COPD-related lung function decline. By reducing both inflammation and oxidative stress, some researchers believe that this antioxidant may be a natural way to slow down the progression of COPD.

Other studies show it may have potential for reducing airway blockage by reducing the amount of excess mucus that builds up in the lungs and airways. As a result of all these benefits, experts believe that N-Acetylcysteine may be able to reduce COPD exacerbations and respiratory decline.

While researchers are still investigating the proper usage and dosage, N-Acetylcysteine shows great promise for clinical use. With permission and supervision from your doctor, you may be able to use this antioxidant as a natural treatment for your COPD.

Vitamin C & Vitamin E

Vitamin C and E are both antioxidants as well as essential nutrients your body needs for metabolism. Researchers believe they may also play a role in the health of your bones, immune system, cardiovascular system, and more.

Some studies suggest that vitamins C and E may be important for lung health, too. Several studies have found, for example, that COPD patients with more vitamin E and C in their bodies have better lung function than those with lower vitamin levels.

Research also shows that being deficient in vitamins C and E can worsen symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing, and excess phlegm. COPD patients also tend to have significantly lowered amounts of these vitamins in their bodies when they experience a COPD exacerbation.

Vitamins E and C may also help improve patients' ability to stay active and do physical activities. One study found, for instance, that patients taking Vitamin E and C supplements had significantly increased exercise endurance compared to those who didn't.

All of this evidence suggests that getting plenty of vitamin C and E in your diet may be an effective, natural way to reduce your COPD symptoms and your risk for exacerbations. If you have trouble getting enough from your diet, you may need to take vitamin C and E supplements to help you manage your COPD.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of healthy fat found mainly in fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Omega 3's are known for reducing inflammation, which makes them a promising natural supplement for COPD, which is known as an inflammatory disease.

Since chronic inflammation makes many COPD symptoms worse, Omega-3's may be able to improve breathlessness, fatigue, and other symptoms by reducing inflammation. However, researchers are still not sure whether or not the benefits of omega-3's for COPD are substantial enough for practical use.

However, there has been some encouraging research that suggests omega-3 fatty acids could be an effective tool for treating lung infections. One study in mice showed that omega-3 supplements successfully reduced inflammation in the lungs and improved their ability to fight off bacterial infections.

Another study on human COPD subjects found that those who took omega-3 supplements had increased exercise endurance and fewer signs of inflammation. On the other hand, some studies have failed to find a clear link between omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation in people with COPD.

However, there is a stronger link between omega-3 fatty acids and heart disease, which means that omega-3 supplements may still have significant benefits for people with COPD. Heart disease is a common complication of COPD and affects a large percentage of patients, so supplementing your diet with omega-3's may still protect you from serious cardiovascular complications related to COPD.

Herbal Supplements

While herbal supplements cannot treat COPD directly, some believe that certain herbal supplements can alleviate COPD symptoms. For example, some believe that herbal remedies like turmeric and ginseng can help with ailments like congestion and inflammation.

It's important to remember, however, that most herbal supplements have been researched but not found to have any significant therapeutic effects. While some may show some promise, there is not yet enough evidence to say that they are effective treatments for any COPD symptoms.

However, research on these herbal supplements is ongoing, and scientists may be able to confirm some of their suspected benefits in the future. As it is, however, you should stick to tried and true treatments that are well-researched and well-supported by evidence.

It's also important to tell your doctor about any herbal supplements you take, because they could interfere with other medications and treatments your doctor prescribes. However, it is best to avoid using herbal supplements entirely unless you use them under the strict supervision of a licensed doctor.<

Oxygen- It's as simple as inhaling and exhaling? Well for people with respiratory disease, not so much.

Oxygen is life, and without a sufficient amount to support life, it could be deadly. People with certain respiratory diseases that restrict airflow struggle everyday just to breathe. Not to mention the other stresses lack of oxygen places on one’s daily life. 

That is why LPT Medical is dedicated to getting oxygen to the people who need it most. If you are looking to buy a supplemental oxygen device your first step is finishing reading this blog to learn about using oxygen as a first time oxygen user. The second step is getting in touch with an experienced oxygen specialist by calling 1+(800)-946-1201. 

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If you are going to be wearing oxygen for the first time, you’ll likely remember the first day that you get your oxygen and supplies. It is normal to feel confused and overwhelmed. 

Also, you’ll probably have a lot of questions. Even if you know about oxygen from spending time in hospitals or nursing homes you'll quickly realize there is a lot more to home oxygen therapy than what meets the eye. 

The best thing you can do for yourself throughout your oxygen journey and your disease management process, is to continue learning more! Read on to learn more about what the oxygen experience can be like! You’ll also notice that oxygen affects everyone’s life differently, and there is no one right answer. 

The more time you spend with your device, the more you will learn about what works for you and your lifestyle. 

Your Oxygen Device Options Overview 

We often write about the oxygen choice you have as an oxygen patient. You can find that information in these blogs listed below: 

Optimizing the Cost and your Lifestyle Based on your Oxygen Device

Is Spending the Extra Cash on a High Quality Supplementary Oxygen Device Really Worth It?

Long Term Oxygen Therapy Devices That Make Life A Breeze 

In these blogs, you will read about portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) and oxygen tanks. 

The option between POCs and other oxygen devices will ultimately be determined by your oxygen intake. Your supplemental oxygen intake will be determined through a few respiratory tests that your doctor will conduct. 

Once you have a flow rate prescribed by your doctor, you will either be able to get a POC, or if your oxygen flow rate is too high, you’ll need an oxygen tank. 

If your flow rate is within the range where a POC will manage your oxygen levels, it is important to subsequently consider your lifestyle and travel plans. A POC will make your life objectively easier than if you opted for an oxygen tank. 

There are several reasons POCs are a better option for many oxygen users. Firstly, they are battery powered. The Arya Portable Oxygen Concentrator battery can last for up to 16 hours! When you charge the device you simply plug it to a AC or DC power unit, and continue using it, as you would a cell phone.

The other big one, you can travel on airplanes with your POC! There is a lot you need to know about traveling with oxygen. You'll find that information in a few sections! For now, we will  continue talking about the oxygen device options you have.

POCs are also notably small in stature and light-weight. Therefore, it is easy to go from place to place! The Caire Freestyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator only weighs 5 pounds. 

Confidence Going Out in Public with Oxygen

Spending time out of the house for the first time with you oxygen device and tubing can be intimidating. It can also be hard to deal with your loved ones and old friends seeing you with an oxygen device for the first time. 

The best thing to remember in these situations, is that the oxygen is helping you become healthier. With the help of oxygen therapy you can get back some of your independence. In a way, you are helping them help you!

Independence is a great thing oxygen can give you back if you’ve lost that due to your condition. Oxygen therapy will eventually help you maintain more natural energy levels, and your ability to do things for yourself again! 

You can also remember that, although the exact number is unknown, there are an estimated 1.5 million supplemental oxygen users in the U.S. So you are certainly not alone! 

You can join Facebook groups or online forums to discuss with other oxygen patients about their experiences. This can ease the battle of feeling isolated.

Another helpful piece of advice is that you are using oxygen caused by a respiratory disease, and the oxygen is enabling you to do more. You wouldn’t be ashamed to wear glasses to help you see, or a hearing aid to help you hear, or if you have to wear a brace to help you walk. So don't be ashamed of your oxygen device that helps you breathe. 

Sleeping with Oxygen 

You might be questioning if you can sleep with a portable oxygen concentrator. You can, but it will be up to you and your doctor whether or not you need to. There are several notable benefits for using oxygen at night.

Sleeping with oxygen concentrator offers:

• A significant improvement in sleep
• A mood boost, by reducing anxiety and depression caused by insomnia
• More stamina, energy, and alertness during the day, as a result of a healthy sleep
• A significant decrease in the risk of developing health problems triggered by low oxygen levels

Now, even though wearing oxygen to bed has its benefits, it is not as simple as it sounds. You will have an adjustment period where you will need to learn how to wear oxygen while sleeping. 

The biggest thing you do to make sure your oxygen device is working for you at night, is to breathe through your nose. Easier said than done! Most people breathe through their mouth, especially during sleep. 

You should start by talking to your doctor about using an oxygen mask at night. It is typical that if you are using more than 6 liters per minute (lpm) or more of supplemental oxygen you can wear a closed oxygen mask at night or during the day to improve your breathing.

 The use of an oxygen mask requires a prescription from your doctor. You could also try wearing  a vent or OxyMask when using between 1 to 15 lpm — but again it is very important to check with you doctor first.

Here are some tips to help you adjust to wearing oxygen while you sleep:

1. Make a goal of getting 30 minutes of exercise during the day.

Yes, exercising during the day will not only improve sleep quality but also sleep duration at night. As few as ten minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or taking a tai chi class, can dramatically improve your sleep quality. This works best when you are exercising on a regular basis.

2. Avoid carbonated beverages late at night.

So the caffeine level in carbonated drinks is an issue for your sleep, carbonation is not helpful either. Carbonated beverages can produce gas that pushes on the diaphragm, making breathing more difficult. For that reason, it’s a good idea for people with respiratory disease and oxygen users to avoid carbonated beverages before bed. 

3. Establish a bedtime routine.

One of the best ways to get better sleep is to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day. Routine is key! When your body has a sleep cycle to rely on, it is the most natural way to achieve healthy sleep, even if you are sleeping with an oxygen concentrator during the night.

4. Designate your sleeping spot.

Another big aspect of routine is doing similar or exactly the same thing every night before falling asleep. There are several helpful activities that can become routine before bedtime. Also it’s important that you designate your bed – and bedroom – for sleep. So avoid doing other things during the day in your bedroom such as watching TV or reading. 

5. Practice airway clearing techniques for airway clearance before bed.

Clearing your airways of mucus is something you can practice throughout the day to help you sleep better at night. These techniques can help you more naturally maintain oxygen levels throughout the day and night.

Traveling with Oxygen 

Traveling is one of the most challenging obstacles to overcome when you first begin on oxygen. 

Just getting in the car is hard, but getting on an airplane is actually impossible if you are using a gas or liquid tank. 

You will need a portable oxygen concentrator that is FAA approved. These device can be found at LPTMedical.com or call 1+(800)-946-1201. 

First of all, the Air Carrier Access Act does not require airlines to provide medical oxygen to any eligible respiratory patients during flights, so do not expect to be given oxygen on your flight. Very rarely will airlines provide supplemental medical oxygen on flights for their passengers, and if they do this oxygen service typically costs a fee.

There are some things you need to know and tasks you must accomplish before you travel by air with your POC. First of all, be aware that the FAA and the airline you are flying on may have different requirements and you must follow both the FAA and the airline’s regulations.

• The FAA regulations do not require that you tell your air carrier about your POC in advance, however almost every airline will have you notify them that you will be flying with oxygen at least 48 hours before your flight. 

• If you are flying on Southwest and JetBlue, these airlines also also ask you to check in for your flight at least one hour before takeoff if you are traveling with oxygen. 

• There are some instances when your airline will require a physician's statement

• There are some airlines that will require you to demonstrate how you respond to your POC's alarms before you board the aircraft.

Your best option is to get ahold of the airline you are flying with to learn about the regulations they are held to when it comes to passengers with oxygen concentrators on board. 

Overview 

We hope that this blog gives you some insight into what life is like with supplemental oxygen therapy. 

As a first time oxygen user, education is key! Read up on your options, reach out to your doctor and health care team to learn more and more. 

If you buy a POC from LPT Medical, you will work with the most experienced and helpful oxygen specialists who are always around to answer questions about your oxygen device. 

Do you ever wonder what is exactly happening to your body? What do these diagnoses mean for you and life as you know it? 

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If so, you need to read this blog that explains bronchiectasis ​​in depth. Bronchiectasis is a condition where the bronchial tubes of your lungs are permanently damaged, widened, and thickened. This is an important illness that we at LPT Medical take very seriously. When it comes to oxygen therapy and supplemental oxygen devices, we are your go to company that supplies the most effective, quiet, high-tech oxygen machines.

Bronchiectasis causes damage to people’s air passages. Bronchiectasis often  happens as a result of COPD. In these cases, many people will require a portable oxygen concentrator in order to get the right amount of oxygen. 

The damages bronchiectasis causes in the lungs also causes bacteria and mucus to build up and compile in the lungs. This results in frequent infections and blockages of the airways. That being said, in conjunction with oxygen therapy, bronchiectasis patients must also be prepared with a proper treatment plan that can mitigate infections and exacerbated symptoms. 

There is a lot more to this disease than what meets the eye. The sections in this blog will explain bronchiectasis and everything you need to know about what it means for you moving forward.  

COPD and Bronchiectasis Overview

Bronchiectasis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two chronic conditions that involve damage to the lungs and they often happen together. In many cases, people with both of these conditions need pulse flow oxygen or a continuous oxygen device. The ARYA Portable Oxygen Concentrator is an example of a pulse flow device that people can use day or night. The Respironics SimplyGo is a continuous flow device that is very popular. 

If you have other questions about portable oxygen concentrators, call LPT Medical at 1+(800)-946-1201.    

The causes and treatments for each differ slightly. It is common for COPD to cause bronchiectasis.

It is important for you to know the differences and similarities between bronchiectasis and COPD and how each condition is treated.

There’s no cure for bronchiectasis or COPD, but both are treatable. With the proper treatment, you can lessen symptoms and slow the progression of the disease from getting worse. Bronchiectasis is objectively more mild, and with treatment, you can actually live a fairly normal life with less invasive symptoms and treatments than what one would go through with COPD.

With bronchiectasis, flare-ups must be treated quickly to maintain oxygen flow to the rest of your body and prevent further lung damage. 

Because this blog is more focused on bronchiectasis, we are not going to dive deep into the similarities and differences between COPD and bronchiectasis. We did find a very useful Healthline article that explains this comparison more. You can find that by clicking here: Understanding the Similarities and Differences Between Bronchiectasis and COPD. 

The rest of this blog is going to explain the bronchiectasis diagnosis, the symptoms of bronchiectasis, risks associated with developing bronchiectasis, tips for living with bronchiectasis, and lastly the treatment and outlook for people with bronchiectasis. 

Bronchiectasis Diagnosis Process

A chest computed tomography also known commonly as a CT scan is the typical test for diagnosing bronchiectasis. X-rays are less accurate in diagnosing bronchiectasis. 

The CT scan is a painless test. It shows exact copies of your airways and other structures in your chest. A chest CT scan can show the extent and location of lung damage.

It is important during the diagnosis process, for your doctor to work with you to establish the cause of the bronchiectasis based on your history and physical exam findings. There are several causes that can cause or contribute to bronchiectasis.

Bronchiectasis is normally caused by your lungs becoming damaged and airways widening and becoming infected. This is why COPD often results in bronchiectasis. Sometimes, the cause of bronchiectasis is unknown.

You might be wondering— why is it important to know the cause of bronchiectasis? This is so that you and your healthcare team can effectively treat the underlying disorder to prevent the bronchiectasis from getting worse. 

That being said, during your diagnosis process, you’ll want to know the underlying cause. Therefore, after your CT scan confirms you have bronchiectasis, you’ll then undergo laboratory and microbiologic testing and pulmonary function testing.

This evaluation will likely include:

• Complete blood count with differential
• Immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, and IgA)
• Sputum culture to check for bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi
• If your doctor suspects CF, they’ll order a sweat chloride test or genetic test.

Bronchiectasis Symptoms Explained 

If you think you have bronchiectasis, you can monitor the sign and symptoms by researching what exactly bronchiectasis looks like. However, symptoms of bronchiectasis can take several months or even years to develop. 

Some if the common symptoms include:

• chronic daily cough
• coughing up blood
• atypical sounds or wheezing in your chest with breathing
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• coughing up large amounts of thick mucus every day
• weight loss
• fatigue
• change in the structure of your fingernails and toenails, known as clubbing
• frequent respiratory infections

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms daily, you should contact a doctor. You can get a  diagnosis and start treatment immediately to mitigate the progression and severity of the disease.

Risks and Developing Bronchiectasis

The risk of developing bronchiectasis increases as you get older. That being said, younger people can have it. Also, Women are more likely to have it than men, and women's experience with bronchiectasis also tends to be more severe.

Other health conditions that can put you at risk of having bronchiectasis include:

• Atypically functioning immune system
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Autoimmune diseases like HIV
• COPD
• Allergic lung reaction to fungus
• Lung infections, such as whooping cough, pneumonia, or tuberculosis

Tips for Living with Bronchiectasis

Once you have bronchiectasis, there is no cure. This is a disease you will live with you the rest of your life. Therefore, you will need to learn how to live with the symptoms, treatments, and other conditions of the disease. 

The bright side is that you CAN live with this disease. If you treat yourself properly, you can live a relatively normal life as you would without the disease! 

Here are the basic tips you need to follow: 

• Follow your bronchiectasis treatment plan.
• Take your medications as prescribed.
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
• Drink lots of water and other nonalcoholic beverages.
• Follow a gentle exercise routine.
• Practice good sleep hygiene.
• Get your annual flu shot.
• Get your COVID-19 vaccination and booster.
• Wash your hands. 
• Avoid getting the common cold, flu, COVID and other illnesses.
• Perform breathing exercises and techniques.
• Maintain good posture.
• Relax and incorporate rest periods throughout your day.
• Do your more difficult tasks when your energy levels are highest.

Treatment for People with Bronchiectasis

So as we mentioned above in the first tip for living with bronchiectasis— You have to follow a strict treatment in order to live comfortably with bronchiectasis

Treating your bronchiectasis is important to help you manage the condition and daily life. Your main goal of treatment should be to keep infections manageable. So how do you do this?

Your treatment options for bronchiectasis include:

• Chest physiotherapy. Chest physiotherapy helps clear your lungs of mucus. This is a compression vest that gently pushes and releases your chest, creating the same effect as a cough. The purpose is to clear mucus from the walls of your bronchial tubes.

• Surgery. If there’s bleeding in your lung, or if the bronchiectasis is only in one part of your lung, you may need surgery to remove the affected area.

• Draining secretions. Another part of daily treatment involves draining the bronchial secretions, aided by gravity. A respiratory therapist can teach you techniques to aid in coughing up the excess mucus

• Treating underlying conditions. If conditions like immune disorders or COPD are causing your bronchiectasis, you will treat those conditions in order to mitigate bronchiectasis symptoms. Common treatments for COPD include oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.  

• Lifestyle changes. Things like exercise, eating a healthy diet, and drinking plenty of water may help improve the symptoms of bronchiectasis.

Outlook for People with Bronchiectasis

The outlook for people with bronchiectasis is dependent on the severity of the condition, how you treat the condition, and most importantly what is causing it.

Bronchiectasis affects 350,000 to 500,000 people in the U.S. Individuals with the non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis overall have a positive outlook with treatment. That being said, severe bronchiectasis can be fatal.

Non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition in which the breathing tubes in the lungs, also known as airways or bronchi, become abnormally dilated and thickened over time. While there are many causes of bronchiectasis, damage to the airway by lung infection is the most common. These damaged airways can no longer effectively clear mucus and bacteria from the lungs.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetically inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body. Cystic fibrosis affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States and approximately 80,000 individuals worldwide.

Overview

One of the biggest and most important things when it comes to bronchiectasis is early diagnosis. 

The earlier and faster you can begin treatment, the better it will be for managing the lung damage you already have and preventing it from getting worse.

Beyond early diagnosis, we hope that this article sheds light on bronchiectasis and how the disease will affect you and your daily life! 

Please leave a comment or question if you enjoyed reading this blog, and share the link with friends, family, and followers to help others learn more about bronchiectasis. 

COPD is a disease that affects your respiratory system. That being said, what you eat and how your stomach feels can greatly impact the way you breathe. Whether that's good or bad, is up to you! 

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If you suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you might find that eating specific foods and following certain diets can help manage your condition. You also might realize eating certains foods makes me feel worse, and can make your symptoms worse.

It is important that you eat food. COPD patients often lose a lot of weight throughout their diagnosis.

This article describes how diet affects COPD. We outline the best diet for COPD patients. And we include foods you should eat and foods you should avoid. We also provide an example meal plan you can follow, along with tips for cooking and eating. 

How Diet Can Affect COPD 

While COPD is a lung condition that limits your airflow making it hard to breathe, incorporating a  healthy diet into your daily life can actually help you manage adverse health effects of COPD. 

Research shows that a healthy and well-balanced diet can have the following beneficial health effects in people with COPD:

• reduces inflammation in your airways
• maintains and improves muscle strength in your body and lungs
• improves lung function in general
• Lowers metabolic and heart disease risk

The process of changing food to fuel in the body is called metabolism. Therefore, oxygen and food are the essentials materials metabolism. The energy and carbon dioxide created after eating and breathing are the finished products. 

The right mix of nutrients in your diet can help you breathe easier.

Best Diet For COPD Patients

Your body is uniquely YOU! Therefore, there is not one single diet that all COPD patients must follow. Instead, you need to eat food that gives you fuel and energy, the food  you eat should not make you feel bloated or full, and it should be a relatively healthy source of vitamins and minerals. 

A healthy diet is essentially just the right mix of nutrients and a lot of variety. As a COPD patient you can cater your diet to help you breathe easier. Diet is a crucial aspect you need to discuss with your healthcare team. Together, you can comprise a meal plan, just for you. 

It might be helpful to meet with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN). Their knowledge and expertise will help you get on track. You can also find an RDN who specializes in COPD by visiting the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or simply discuss this topic with your doctor.

Foods you Should Eat 

While there is no strict diet COPD patients need to be on, there are general rules as to what foods will make you feel energized, light, and well-balanced 

As a COPD patient you need food that are high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and Mono and polyunsaturated fats.

If you are like most people, all of those words don't mean much to you. And reading the small labels on foods is time-consuming and let's face it TOO SMALL TO READ! 

Here is a what you need to know about foods you should eat:

Complex Carbohydrates 

Complex carbohydrates contain long chains of sugar molecules. This is all scientific jargon, but it essentially means that complex carbohydrates are a great source of energy.

Here are some foods that contain complex carbohydrates:

• Fresh fruit and starchy vegetables
• Whole grains
• Whole grain bread and pasta
• Beans and lentils

Fiber Rich Foods

A person with COPD should eat foods high in fiber. you  should be aiming to get around 20–30 grams of fiber each day. Here are some ideas of fibrous food you can start to incorporate into your daily diet:

• beans and lentils
• fruits and vegetables
• nuts and seeds
• whole grains, such as oats
• vegetables

Protein

Research shows that people with COPD have increased protein needs because protein rich foods help increase your muscle mass. This means that COPD patients do benefit even more from protein than individuals without COPD. Incorporating protein-rich foods during meals and snacks will improve your nutritional status and subsequently your quality of life.

Foods that are high in protein include:

• Meat and poultry
• Fish
• Eggs
• Nuts and seeds
• Tofu
• Cheese
• Milk

Mono and Polyunsaturated Fats

Basically, mono and polyunsaturated fats are good fats. These healthy fats can lower cholesterol, which is helpful for everyone, including individuals with COPD. 

Some foods that contain these fats include:

• Olive oil and avocado oil
• Salmon
• Nuts and seeds
• Avocados

Foods you Should Avoid 

If you have COPD, certain foods can make you feel worse. 

The common symptoms associated with COPD include difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, and mucus production. All of these symptoms can be exacerbated or made worse depending on the food you eat everyday.

In addition to eliminating exposure to smoke and other air pollutants, there are certain foods that a person with COPD should avoid in order to minimize the symptoms. Here are some of the foods and ingredients you should avoid eating if you have COPD.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates offer less nutrients than complex carbohydrates. Foods consisting of simple carbohydrates include:

• Table sugar
• Chocolate and candy
• Cakes and other sugary desserts
• Sugary drinks
• Processed foods
• White bread and pasta

Many high-fat foods are nutritious, and people can include them in a healthful diet. However, many highly processed foods are high-fat, and people with COPD should avoid or limit them to promote overall health.

High Fat Foods

People with COPD must avoid or limit the following high-fat foods:

• Fast food
• Bacon and other processed meats
• Fried foods
• Sugary pastries
• Margarine
• Ice cream

Example Meal Plan 

As mentioned in the beginning of this blog, meal plans and your diet should be unique to you, your health, and your lifestyle. With that being said, people can consider the following meal plan as a guide and talk to you diatian or doctor about developing a meal plan that works best for you:

Meal prepping tips

Preparing meals and cooking can be very challenging for COPD patients. First and foremost, you should always be using your portable oxygen concentrator even while cooking to ensure you are getting the oxygen you need to maintain your energy and oxygen levels. 

Even with your oxygen therapy, COPD can make you feel low energy so you might not feel up to cooking. If this happens to you, you can consider trying the following methods:

• Quick meals: Find healthy recipes that take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. The less challenge and the less steps involved the better. Also, buy pre-cut vegetables to reduce meal preparation times further.

• Crock-Pot: Find healthy crock-pot recipes. You can throw the ingredients in, and simply leave all it there to cook over several hours with minimal effort.

• Leftovers: While cooking, you can try to make more than you need so that you have leftover food for your next meal or even the following days.

How to Eat More Regularly 

If you have COPD, eating can be challenging. Not only is the process of cooking tiring, but the act of eating can be overwhelming for some. Some people with COPD may experience a lack of appetite due to breathing difficulties and general chest discomfort. 

Here are some eating hints: 

• Rest just before eating.
• Eat more food early in the morning 
• Avoid foods that cause gas or bloating
• Eat 4 to 6 small meals a day
• limit liquids with meals; drink an hour after meals.
• Talk to your doctor about taking a nutritional supplement
• If you are using oxygen therapy, continue to use your supplemental oxygen device, even while you eat. 
  

Overview 

We really hope this blog gives you some ideas for meals and snacks that can help you feel better and more energized throughout the day! 

It is also our hope that you learned how consuming a balanced and nutritious diet may alleviate some of the breathing difficulties you experience with COPD. Eating healthy is also a crucial step towards preventing certain health complications in the future.

As person with COPD, you should try to eat plenty of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber-rich foods. Your snacks should add healthy sources of fat to your diet. Avoid foods high in fat like processed food and try to stay away from sugary drinks and food. 

After reading this blog, if you are considering changing your diet or lifestyle, talk to your doctor for advice on how to do this safely and effectively!

It is not uncommon to wake up in the morning feeling drowsy, like you didn't sleep well or long enough. However, this is something you will want to actively seek a solution for when this lack of sleep is reoccurring. 

If you wake up often with drowsiness you can't shake and feel tired every day, it could be a sign that you have sleep apnea.

There are many potential causes of sleep apnea, and each case requires special evaluation to determine what's causing the obstruction. Luckily, there are a variety of treatments and interventions that can help people with all types of sleep apnea sleep better and feel better.

Simple lifestyle changes, home treatments, or surgery can treat or even cure sleep apnea depending on what's causing the condition. In most cases, sleep apnea sufferers can find relief and get better sleep with the assistance of mouthpieces or medical devices such as positive airway pressure (PAP) machines.

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While mild sleep apnea can seem like just a minor annoyance at first, it can lead to dangerous complications over time including hypertension and heart disease. It's important not to ignore the symptoms and get proper treatment from qualified health professionals as early as possible if you suspect you might have the disorder.

If you think you might have sleep apnea, this guide will help you get started with understanding the condition and what you can do to get better. However, it's no substitute for talking to a doctor. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea you need to be diagnosed by a certified sleep specialist so you can get proper treatment right away.

Untreated sleep apnea can have devastating effects on long term health, and it's important for more people to recognize the symptoms and risks of the disorder. This sleep apnea guide will get you started in understanding what sleep apnea is, how it's caused, and what kinds of lifestyle changes and medical treatments are available to treat it.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a common, yet serious, sleep disorder that affects at least 9 percent of women and 24 percent of men. It is characterized by difficulty breathing and waking up often during the night while trying to sleep, which leaves sufferers sleepy and fatigued during the day.

Sleep apnea occurs when your body's airways have trouble staying open and become blocked while you sleep. This is often caused by swelled, sagging, or weighed-down throat tissue than narrows and obstructs your airways when you fall asleep and your muscles relax.

Because their airways are narrowed and breathing is more difficult, people with sleep apnea experience frequent pauses in breathing (called apneas) during the night. These lapses in breathing can last just a few seconds or even minutes, and can happen as often as thirty or more times per hour.

This causes people with sleep apnea to snore, gasp, choke, and wake up frequently during the night. However, since this happens while you are asleep, many people are not consciously aware of their symptoms until a friend, spouse, or other family member notices.

The gasping, choking, and frequent waking is very disruptive and makes it impossible to get normal, restful sleep. That's why feeling tired frequently during the day is often the first symptom people with sleep apnea notice.

People with sleep apnea are essentially sleep deprived, which hurts their mood, performance, and overall quality of life. Even if you're unaware of the interruptions to your sleep, it can leave you feeling very drowsy and irritable during the day.

The constant drowsiness can be dangerous, too, because it leaves you prone to mistakes and accidents, which is particularly dangerous when driving on the road or operating heavy machinery.

How Sleep Apnea Affects Your Body

Living with sleep apnea can be difficult, and the condition can negatively affect your health and daily life in many ways.

In the short term, sleep apnea disrupts your sleep and makes you feel fatigued and unfocused. In the long term, sleep apnea puts a tremendous amount of stress on your cardiovascular system and can lead to serious complications.

People with sleep apnea are constantly sleep deprived because frequent episodes of apnea severely disrupt their sleep. The disorder leaves sufferers feeling tired, foggy, and irritable day after day, and can make concentrating and coping with stress difficult.

What makes sleep apnea so serious, however, is that the narrowed airways and frequent pauses in breathing deprive your lungs of oxygen while you sleep. As a result, blood oxygen levels drop, making it difficult for the body supply its organs and tissues with the oxygen they need.

When oxygen levels in your body are low, it puts a lot of strain on your body, and especially your heart, to compensate. When sleep apnea is left untreated this happens for hours night after night, which is very dangerous and can lead to major health problems later on down the line.

Some of the potential long-term effects of sleep apnea include:

• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Stroke

Key Facts about Sleep Apnea

Despite its name, sleep apnea is actually a breathing disorder. Even though it's a sleep-related condition, the most dangerous effects don't come from disrupted sleep, but rather from disrupted breathing.

Narrowed airways and constant apneas leave sleep apnea sufferers struggling to breathe and forces their bodies to cope with low blood oxygen levels every night. This can have dangerous and potentially life-threatening effects on the body over time, which is why it's important to take the diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea seriously.

Unfortunately, the early symptoms of the disorder are difficult to catch. General symptoms like drowsiness or irritability are easy to ignore or write off, and many other symptoms—like nighttime snoring and choking—happen while you're asleep and not consciously aware.

This makes it difficult for people with sleep apnea to recognize the signs and get early diagnoses. A total of at least five to ten percent of adults in the United States have sleep apnea, but researchers estimate that as many as 80% of them are undiagnosed and not receiving the treatment they need.

While the disorder seems to be more common in men, it likely has to do with their larger average size and weight (having a large neck, for example, increases your risk of sleep apnea.) However, many doctors believe that as obesity rates rise, this gap between the number of men and women with sleep apnea will close.

Sleep Apnea Symptoms

The major symptoms of sleep apnea can be divided into two main categories: daytime symptoms and symptoms that occur while you sleep.

Nighttime symptoms of sleep apnea include:

• regular loud snoring
• pauses in breathing
• frequent waking
• gasping for air or choking while you sleep
  

However, most people don't even remember waking up during the night, and don't understand why they feel drowsy and unrested in the morning.

Even though frequent waking could be many things besides sleep apnea, waking up gasping, choking, or feeling breathless is a telltale sign on the disorder. Since many of the most obvious symptoms happen while you sleep, many people with sleep apnea never notice their symptoms until a friend, spouse, or family member does.

The most common daytime symptoms of sleep apnea include drowsiness, morning headaches, irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and even depression. These symptoms are directly related to sleep disruptions and the lack of oxygen caused by nighttime symptoms.

These are the most common symptoms of sleep apnea:

• Sleepiness during the daytime
• Memory issues
• Trouble concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat and/or dry mouth when you wake up
• Loud snoring, gasping, or choking during sleep
• Waking frequently during the night
• Depression, irritability, or mood swings

Causes of Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea can be caused by anything that narrows or obstructs your airways while you sleep. Most cases have physiological cause, such as excess weight, inflamed or excess throat tissue, or weakened muscles in the back of the throat. This is known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

However, in very rare cases sleep apnea is caused by a neurological condition instead of a physical one. In this case, the signal that the brain uses to tell the respiratory system to breathe gets temporarily disrupted.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

When you fall asleep, all of the muscles in your body soften and relax, including the muscles in your throat. In healthy people who don't have sleep apnea, the throat is kept open by special muscles that prevent the airways from collapsing. This allows comfortable, unobstructed breathing during the night.

People who have sleep apnea, however, have difficulty keeping their airways open while they sleep. The airways become severely narrowed and frequently collapse during the night, temporarily blocking their airways and causing lapses in breathing

Common Causes of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

• Large Neck: Sleep apnea is associated with neck size, which is in turn associated with being overweight or obese. People with necks that are at least 16-17 inches in diameter are more likely to have sleep apnea.
• Abnormal Soft Palate: The soft palate is the tissue at the back of the mouth and throat, and abnormalities in this area are a very common cause of sleep apnea. If the soft palate is enlarged, swollen, or abnormally stiff, it can narrow or obstruct the throat and cause sleep apnea. In other cases, some people's soft palates are simply more prone to collapsing.
• Weakened Throat Muscles: Some people's throat muscles are too weak or not properly stimulated when they breathe at night. Without functioning muscles to keep the airways open while you sleep, they frequently collapse, making breathing difficult and causing apnea.
• Abnormal Jaw Structure: People with slight alterations in their jaw structure can be at a greater risk for sleep apnea. It is associated primarily with the lower jaw; having an undersized, narrow, or jutting lower jaw can cause airway obstruction during sleep.
• Abnormal Mouth Structure: Minor characteristics in the mouth, such as an unusually large tongue or enlarged tonsils can obstruct the airways at night, causing sleep apnea.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD and acid reflux occur when acidic fluids from the stomach leak up into the esophagus, which is especially likely to happen at night when you lie on your back. This can cause throat irritation and muscle spasms, which are thought to obstruct breathing and cause sleep apnea.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea is caused by problems in the central nervous system (the brain). It happens when signaling in the brainstem gets disrupted, causing the brain to repeatedly fail to send signals telling the lungs to breathe.

People with central sleep apnea experience more severe and abrupt drops in blood oxygen levels. This often causes a violent, uncomfortable awakening, which is why people with central sleep apnea can often remember waking up.

Causes of Central Sleep Apnea

• Heart disease: Heart disease, heart failure, or stroke is a common cause of a condition called Cheyene-Stokes breathing. This causes an irregular breathing pattern and repeated cycles of increased and then reduced airflow. Breathing can become so weak during the reduced airflow cycle that it stops altogether, causing sleep apnea.
• Medications: Some medications, especially opioids, can disrupt breathing patterns or even stop breathing altogether. Drugs that can induce central sleep apnea include oxycodone, codeine sulfate, and morphine sulfate.
• Altitude: Exposure to high altitudes can cause irregular breathing and a cycle of rapid breathing followed by slow, restricted breathing. This can cause sleep apnea in some people.
• Other Causes: Some cases of central sleep apnea have no obvious cause. These cases are diagnosed as idiopathic sleep apnea.

Since central sleep apnea is very rare, this guide focuses primarily on obstructive sleep apnea. However, most of the information that follows applies to both types and should be generally useful to people with all types of sleep apnea.

How Sleep Apnea is Diagnosed

Sleep apnea can go unnoticed for years since it only affects you while you sleep. This also makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose, since they have to monitor while you are sleeping to know if you have sleep apnea for sure.

Some doctors will diagnose sleep apnea based on symptoms and medical history alone, but often they will ask you to do a sleep study to confirm the diagnosis. That means either doing a home sleep apnea test or spending the night at a sleep study test lab for monitoring.

Home Testing

To do a home sleep apnea test, you take home a small monitor that measures things like your heart rate, breathing, and even blood oxygen concentration while you sleep. Afterward, you give the monitor back to a sleep specialist who will analyze the data to determine whether or not you have sleep apnea.

Sleep Study Test

A full sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram, has to be done in a certified sleep study test center. While this is less convenient than a home test, getting monitored at a sleep study center will give you much more accurate and detailed results.

To do the study, you'll have to check in to a hospital or specialized sleep center where you'll stay the night in a private room. Technicians will hook you up to a variety of equipment so they can monitor you while you sleep.

Most people are able to sleep through the study without much difficulty, even though it might seem strange and somewhat uncomfortable at first. It's worth the time and inconvenience to get an accurate diagnosis, however, and sleep centers can also set you up with a CPAP machine (a nighttime device that helps you breathe) to treat your sleep apnea if the test is positive.

Complications that Occur with Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea sufferers experience low blood oxygen levels night after night, which can lead to serious complications in the long term. Lets look at some of the major health complications that can result from sleep apnea:

Heart Problems and High Blood Pressure

People with sleep apnea are deprived of oxygen when they sleep, which puts a lot of pressure on the heart and circulatory system. Low blood oxygen levels force the heart to work harder to deliver enough oxygen to all the different parts of the body, straining the cardiovascular system and causing increased blood pressure.

This can be detrimental to cardiovascular health and lead to hypertension, irregular heart rhythms, and heart disease. Because of this, sleep apnea can be life threatening to people with existing heart problems. In the most severe cases, sleep apnea can cause heart attacks, stroke, or even sudden death.

Type 2 Diabetes

Researchers believe that struggling to breathe during the night coupled with low blood oxygen levels can lead to insulin resistance and reduce your body's ability to control your blood sugar. Because of this, sleep apnea leaves you at a higher risk for developing metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

It doesn't help that many people with sleep apnea are also overweight or obese, which is a major contributing factor to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Liver Problems

People with sleep apnea often show signs of liver dysfunction and scarring, known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The exact cause is unknown, but researchers suspect that low oxygen levels caused by sleep apnea worsen chronic inflammation, which can harm the liver.

One study found that two-thirds of obese, middle-aged adults with sleep apnea also had fatty liver disease that was strongly associated with the disorder. The more severe sleep apnea someone has, the more severe liver disease they are likely to have also.

Liver disease also tends to be associated with high blood pressure and obesity, which can compound the problem in some people with sleep apnea.

Risk Factors for Sleep Apnea

Some preexisting characteristics, such as genetics, age, and body mass index, can put you at a greater risk of developing sleep apnea. Some of these factors, like gender and age, are uncontrollable, but some, like smoking, can be mitigated by healthy habits and lifestyle changes.

Here are some of the major risk factors for sleep apnea:

• Being overweight, especially with a body mass index above 25
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart disease (common cause of central sleep apnea)
• Opioid medications
• Family history of sleep apnea
• Age (most common between young adulthood and middle age, and in people older than 65)
• Being male (less common in women)
• Smoking

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Getting treated for sleep apnea is very important for short-term and long-term health. If you think you have sleep apnea, don't wait to see a doctor and figure out a treatment plan.

Proper sleep apnea treatment can improve symptoms immediately, reducing drowsiness and improving overall quality of life. But, most importantly, sleep apnea treatments focus on allowing your body to get enough oxygen at night, protecting you from a host of serious health problems that can result from low blood oxygen levels.

There are a number of different lifestyle changes and home treatments, including mouthpieces and breathing devices, that are effective at treating most cases of sleep apnea. In severe and unique cases, when typical treatments don't work, doctors might recommend surgery as a last resort to eliminate airway obstructions causing the disorder.

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