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In recent years research has shown an underlying link between amount of sleep and weight in the American population. Surveys have found that individuals who sleep fewer hours tend to have a higher Body Mass Index (or BMI, one indicator of being overweight or obese), while other studies have linked sleep to the production of hormones that help control appetite. Multiple hormones that seem to have an affect on appetite seem to vary depending on the amount of sleep one gets each night. People who sleep less tend to have a lower level of the hormone called leptin, a natural appetite suppressant. Those who report a large amount of sleep loss, such as with disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, tend to have increased levels of ghrelin, a natural appetite stimulant that may increases cravings for sweets and starchy snacks.
Due to conditions like sleep apnea, which when untreated, constantly affect the quality of sleep each night, there seems to be a connection between quality and amount of sleep and weight gain. While this is definitely not the only factor in the very complex process of gaining weight, the quality of your sleep may very well have an impact on your weight gain or loss. As always, we recommend always completing your sleep apnea treatment as prescribed and always reviewing possible health benefits of sleep therapy with your physician.
Studies like the one above consistently reinforce the idea that OSA sufferers must remain compliant with CPAP therapy to ensure that the medical conditions associated with sleep disorders do not develop or continue. At CPAP Supply USA, we know that being treated with CPAP can be very tough, inconvenient, and uncomfortable, but due to its undeniable benefits, we try to educate our CPAP users on why therapy is so important for their health. We have also added products that we believe can truly help with CPAP compliance; visit our new CPAP Comfort Center to see some products that may help with the overall comfort of your therapy!
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Below are a few statistics and facts collected from multiple sources on sleep apnea. Take a look and remember you are one of many sleep disorder sufferers (one of 50 to 70 million Americans to be exact!).
Fifty to 70 million Americans chronically suffer from a disorder of sleep and wakefulness.
A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation found 62 percent of all adults surveyed had driven a car while feeling drowsy and over 25 percent admitted they had actually dozed off while driving.
Drivers are up to seven times more likely to have an automobile accident if they have untreated obstructive sleep apnea.
23% of people surveyed said they new someone who had experienced a “fall-asleep” automobile accident.
Sleep apnea occurs in all age groups and both sexes, but it is more common in males and in those over the age of 40.
Estimates suggest that as many as 18 million Americans have obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea also seems to run in some families, suggesting a possible genetic basis. Untreated, sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure and other heart diseases, depression, irritability, learning and memory difficulties, weight gain, impotence, and headaches.
The most common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea are loud snoring and excessive sleepiness (i.e., falling asleep easily and sometimes often inappropriately).
The prevalence of sleep disorders appears to increase with advancing age, and as Americans age, an estimated 80 million Americans will have a sleep problem by the year 2010.
Do you think you may be an Obstructive Sleep Apnea sufferer? Complete our automatically-scored Berlin Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (two very prominent tools for the diagnosis of OSA) and see if your sleeping problems are possibly related to this very common disorder.
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The beginning of May has been a busy month for us here at CPAPSupplyUSA.com. We have loaded tons of new products and are planning many of our summer sales events. New products on the site include the following:
Many new parts from ResMed, including elbow assemblies, exhaust vents, forehead supports, and valves!
The SleepNet petite gel mask, the MiniMe is now active on the site and will be great for users with REALLY petite noses who cannot find masks that seal properly or for pediatric uses
An economic alternative in nasal masks has also recently been added, the basic, yet comfortable Tiara Advantage Nasal CPAP Mask
Within the family of cleaning products we currently carry, we have add a concentrated cleanser that works well for tubing and humidifier tanks (items that require full submersion for disinfecting), the Citrus II CPAP Concentrated Cleanser (32 oz. makes 8 gallons of cleaner!)
In addition to the new Puritan Bennett Sandman Intro with Integrated Humidifier, we now also carry the Sandman Intro WITHOUT humidifier, a lightweight, travel-friendly machine that weighs just over 2 pounds.
Currently, we are also promoting a few of our most popular products through some special sales events. Fisher & Paykel CPAP Masks have recently all been reduced in price. Puritan Bennett CPAP and BiLevel machines are also currently on sale and include 1 year of free tubing and filters with every machine purchase. To view all of our current sales items, visit our Sale Area (bookmark this page, as sales items change often!). Good luck everyone in your search for your supplies!