Core Wellness Lasik Eye Surgery – Page 2 – laser eye surgery or laser vision correction

The process of rapid antigen tests

An antigen test is easier since it just needs smaller, portable instruments, while molecular rapid antigen tests need specialist equipment for processing samples. Their structure resembles, let’s say, a pregnancy test.

How is the exam conducted? Antigen assays look for SARS-CoV-2 viral protein fragments. A healthcare practitioner uses a reagent to prepare the sample you provide before doing an immediate analysis. These rapid antigen tests, in contrast to molecular testing, need a larger concentration of virus in the test sample in order to be positive. Thus, a false negative result from an antigen test is sometimes possible.

How exactly is a sample taken? In order to collect a specimen, much as with molecular testing, a sterile swab is put into your nose or throat (see details above), however, throat swabs could be less usual these days.

How are test results handled?

A test strip or cartridge is self-applied with the sample. Results are shown as a colored line to indicate positive or negative, much like a home pregnancy test.

Where may one be purchased?

At addition to being available in pharmacies and medical offices, rapid antigen tests may also be bought for use at home.

How soon can you provide results?

Typically, results are available in 10 to 15 minutes.

Just how precise are they? Antigen test sensitivity varies with the stage of an infection, according to the CDC, but is regarded as having “moderate to high” sensitivity at peak viral load. Antigen testing is more prone than molecular rapid antigen tests to provide false negative findings, particularly when conducted on individuals who don’t exhibit symptoms. You can also read about Rapid antigen tests that come to be done at home by visiting http://corewellnesspdx.com/rapid-antigen-tests-that-come-be-done-at-home/

What about rapid antigen tests taken at home?

All of the rapid antigen tests use antigen. However, there are home molecular science kits that call for shipping a sample to a lab. The cost of a home test, which may range from $24 for a set of two to $38 for one, may not be paid by your insurance company, in contrast to testing at pharmacies and physicians’ offices, which is often free or covered by insurance.

If you want a fast response, Dr. Campbell advises using home testing. The problematic issue, he adds, is that costs may add up and that test-takers don’t always answer questions truthfully. It’s crucial to properly follow the instructions.

The FDA advises serial testing—or taking numerous rapid antigen tests—over a number of days to increase the likelihood of finding asymptomatic illnesses since they are less sensitive than a molecular test.

However, Dr. Campbell suggests utilizing testing carefully in light of the present test scarcity.

What about rapid antigen tests taken at home?

“I would hold off on doing a home antigen test until around three days following a confirmed COVID exposure if you have access to one. If the results are bad, I’ll try again on days five and seven,” he adds. “Even those are many rapid antigen tests. Therefore, depending on the extent of your exposure and whether you develop symptoms, you may not need to continue testing, particularly if you are immunized and considered to be at “low risk.” Test once again when your symptoms have subsided and you are prepared to resume work.

According to Dr. Campbell, the fundamental rule of testing in the medical field is to conduct an experiment only when the outcome would alter your course of action. According to him, if you are exposed to COVID and subsequently have symptoms, there is a good possibility that you are infected given the current high incidence rate levels. If you can safely treat your symptoms at home and you can isolate them, you should do so.

Dr. Campbell also advises keeping in mind that if an antigen test is positive right now, it is most likely correct.

“Those who now have a positive antigen test are virtually probably contagious and infectious. At worst, those who are antigen-negative are less infectious. Because the studies are difficult to do, we can’t declare with certainty that they are not communicable, but they are undoubtedly less contagious,” he adds. “False positives begin to outweigh genuine positives when the incidence of illness is very low. False positives, however, are quite improbable right now because of the high prevalence.

What kind of test should I go for?

Health professionals suggest that regardless of whether you have had a vaccine, you should be checked if you have a fever, cough, breathing difficulties, or other COVID-19 symptoms. Dr. Campbell continues, “If testing is available, think about testing three to five days following a high-risk exposure.”

Making the choice of test type might be difficult.

“Access and what is easily accessible to you determine a lot of this. Although we are grateful for fast antigen testing, their sensitivity is limited if you don’t have symptoms, and 40% of COVID carriers are asymptomatic, according to Dr. Martinello. “A NAAT test is more sensitive, but the quality of the material still matters a lot,”

However, clinicians will often utilize a PCR test to diagnose very unwell patients (with a suspected case of COVID-19), since false-negative testing might lead to insufficient therapy. You can also read about Getting a PCR test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) by clicking here.

Travel You may also need to be tested if you’re traveling. It’s possible that the place you’re going calls for certain testing procedures and authorized testing sites.

“In my opinion, the exam you may take is the most appropriate for travel at the moment. Great if you can get PCR. If not, get an antigen, advises Dr. Campbell. However, you should test since you don’t want to be the one who spreads the illness to the rest of the passengers.

Both workplaces and schools

For how they provide COVID-19 testing, schools may have their own set of guidelines. Antigen testing, however, is effective for monitoring in areas like schools and workplaces, according to Dr. Campbell.

Say you, test students, twice a week for the rest of the time at a school. If you employ antigen testing, you may do it considerably more quickly, conveniently, and affordably, according to him. “You need to determine whether or not children are contagious right now. Would PCR be more effective there? Yes, but you won’t always receive a response right away, and it would cost a lot of money to locate a few successes. Speed is sometimes the most crucial factor.

Peace of mind

For peace of mind, some persons may like to have regular COVID exams. Consider a scenario in which you are immunized yet want to visit an old relative or attend a crowded event.

You should test beforehand to ensure you aren’t the one transmitting a virus if you’re planning to do something unsafe and then visit your 90-year-old mother, he advises.

The timing of what to do next is challenging

“If you attended a crowded concert and are concerned about COVID, you shouldn’t take any COVID rapid antigen tests the following day, whether they be molecular or rapid antigen tests. After a probable exposure, you should wait three to five days, advises Dr. Campbell. We believe that a sufficient quantity of virus must be present for a person to be contagious, and we are aware that the viral load fluctuates during an illness.

Dr. Campbell says that if you just have a few tests available, you should use them shortly before visiting susceptible friends or family members—or right before attending an event with thousands of people. He advises using them to prevent the spread of disease.

Don’t know if you have sleep apnea? Read this

Do you often get a headache or feel exhausted when you wake up? Does your bed companion complain about the sounds you make at night, such as snoring or gasping for air? If so, you may have sleep apnea, a severe disorder that is potentially dangerous and is growing more common.

Sleep apnea is a disorder when the soft tissue of the throat and mouth blocks the airway while the patient is asleep for which the solution is sleep apnea machine. Numerous micro-interruptions to your breathing throughout the night may disturb your sleep and you might not even realize it when you wake up. You can sometimes feel a stop in breathing or shallow breathing (or both). Click here for daily practices for the best sleep hygiene in 2022.

Because the tongue blocks the airway during sleep, sleep apnea may have serious long-term health consequences and need the use of an assistance breathing equipment. Find out whether you could have sleep apnea by continuing to read.

What is apneic sleep?

First of all, there are two different forms of sleep apnea: central and obstructive.

When air cannot enter or exit the mouth and nasal passages despite your breathing attempts, you have obstructed sleep apnea.

When the brain fails to provide the signal to your breathing muscles, central sleep apnea develops.

How can I tell whether I suffer from sleep apnea?

It may be difficult to distinguish between central and obstructive sleep apnea since some symptoms are similar. A skilled doctor should be consulted about your concerns, however there are a number of symptoms that might point to sleep apnea.

Since you are asleep or almost asleep when it happens, you may not be aware that you have sleep apnea, but someone else could notice it while you are asleep.

Seek the advice of a sleep professional if you or someone who sleeps nearby notices these habits while you’re sleeping:

Not breathing at all Breathing heavily and snoring loudly
You could also encounter:
Coughing or gasping for breath when you awaken.
Waking up with a scratchy or dry throat. (as a consequence of using your mouth as opposed to your nose to breathe)
Morning migraines brought on by a lack of oxygen
Dry mouth as a result of gasping for air

Forgetfulness
Disinterest in sex
Dizziness upon rising
Insomnia, restless sleep, or frequent waking
Feeling fatigued or lacking in energy after a full night’s sleep as a result of sleep interruptions (due to low oxygen)

These signs of sleep apnea are not always present, however. To ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis and course of treatment, it’s important to bring these potential sleep apnea symptoms to your doctor’s notice.

The frequency of sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to studies from Case Western Reserve University3, is thought to affect 2 to 9 percent of individuals in the country. They discovered that those with a BMI (body mass index) more than 30 kg/m2 had a sleep apnea up to seven times more often than those without. Men also have a four-fold higher risk of developing sleep apnea than women. Although sleep apnea may affect people of any age, its prevalence increases with age4.

The prevalence of central sleep apnea in those over forty is 0.9%. Obstructive sleep apnea is often mentioned when individuals discuss sleep apnea.

Risk factors for sleep apnea

Anyone might be affected by the illness known as sleep apnea. However, several elements might raise your risk:

Obesity

Having sleep apnea is more likely if you are overweight. When you sleep, extra weight may put strain on your windpipe and prevent ventilation.

Use of alcohol, tranquilizers, or sedatives

Alcohol and sedatives relax your throat, which makes it simpler for the airway to get obstructed. Drugs, both prescribed and over-the-counter, may also affect how your brain controls sleep and communicates with the breathing muscles.

History of sleep apnea in the family

There is a higher chance that you will get OSA if one or more of your close relatives do. The likelihood of having sleep apnea may be decreased by leading a healthy lifestyle, however heredity has been found as a risk factor.

Hormonal disorders

By inflaming airway tissues and raising the likelihood of obesity, hormone regulatory disorders such hypothyroidism6 may increase the risk of sleep apnea.

Nasal clogging

You are more prone to get sleep apnea if congestion makes it difficult for you to breathe through your nose.

How Does Sleep Apnea Happen? All Information You Need to Know

Exactly how is sleep apnea identified?

To find out whether you have sleep apnea, you should speak to a doctor, preferably one who specializes in sleep medicine. Your doctor will rule out any further medical conditions or potential reasons for your signs and symptoms before determining that you have sleep apnea.

There are various methods used to assess sleep apnea, including:

Medical background

Your specific medical history will be taken into consideration while your doctor assesses probable sleep apnea symptoms. Your family history will be examined for signs of sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, and it will be determined if you have any additional risk factors for developing undiagnosed sleep apnea or any negative health effects.

Inspection of the body

The most frequent physical characteristics that cause sleep apnea include face structure, neck and waist circumference, and waist and neck circumference. Blood pressure issues might be present as well. In order to search for things like bigger tonsils or architecturally unique characteristics in your upper airway, your doctor will carefully examine your jaw and mouth.

Sleep research

The gold standard for identifying sleep apnea is the polysomnography (PSG), a sleep study test. A PSG is a sleep study that is done in a lab and records your blood oxygen levels, heart rate, breathing, eye movements, and leg movements. A sleep specialist may sometimes be able to help with in-home monitoring.

When to see a doctor

Do not wait to see a doctor for an evaluation if you believe you may have sleep apnea. Once diagnosed, you may almost immediately start treatment for sleep apnea.

Numerous assistive devices may aid by moving the jaw or applying constant positive pressure. A CPAP machine is often used during therapy. Return to your doctor for a second examination if treatment does not help with your snoring or sleep issues.

Daily Practices for the Best Sleep Hygiene in 2022

What is Sleep Hygiene?

Sleep hygiene refers to a set of rituals that one takes every day to achieve a healthier lifestyle. This lifestyle reflects how you sleep at night and the restorative power that comes to your brain. Moreover, each of us should develop these best practices by the day if we want to succeed.

After learning what sleep hygiene is, one should also learn how to practice it. It is impossible to deny the power of sleep in one’s overall health. But how can one create and practice the sleep hygiene with Air Liquide Healthcare to yield maximum results? Or better still, what daily practices can accrue to productive sleep hygiene.

More so, one can learn daily steps that will redirect the effect of the quality of sleep for better results. In this case, the short-term goal is workable sleep hygiene, while the long-term goal is a healthy and prolonged life. Below are daily activities you can imbibe to help create a better sleep plan or schedule for your overall sleep hygiene.

Sleep Hygiene Practices for Each Period of the Day

Morning

You may have been used to waking up in the morning to a cup of tea, coffee, or other shots. But that will no longer be the case when you want to build good sleep hygiene. The first thing when you wake up will be to remove the cup of Joe. You can no longer start your day with caffeine, nicotine, or even alcohol because these substances can stimulate your body to stay awake.

They can also quickly disorganize your regulated sleep cycle, which we call circadian rhythm. But by ingesting cappuccino in the morning in any form, you sign off to a disrupted sleep cycle at night. In addition, you should take food that contains some of the exciting nutrients for good sleep hygiene.

For example, you need food items like seafood, fish, eggs, and other related ones. Moreover, it would help if you also learned to exercise your body and mind no later than the mid-afternoon. Any exercise that occurs beyond that time does not support the body for the night’s sleep. Many times, the body is hardly ready for such an adventure.

Afternoon

If you cannot exercise in the afternoon, then what do you do in the afternoon that will contribute to your sleep hygiene? Depending on your current sleep situation, it will be nice for you to get a short nap each afternoon at a regular time. Of course, taking a nap can be good and evil, especially if one ignores how long a nap should be and how it should be done.

It will solve the issue if you can design an amount of time you can spare to sleep each day. In some people, 30 minutes nap is enough to refresh their body and soul. Whereas, in others, they need close to one hour, which can quickly turn into a deep sleep. It is important to note what happens when you begin to take a short nap in the afternoon. Learn more about sleep hygiene and sleeping position.

Do you feel rejuvenated and refreshed after the nap? Or, after taking a nap, do you find it difficult to sleep in the night or stay asleep? The latter case might be a reason to reduce your afternoon power nap daily. All things being equal, the standard period for an afternoon nap is not more than 30 minutes per day.

Evening

How vital can the night itself be if you know what to do in the morning and afternoon to make you sleep better? Starting with the evening, the thoughts of how the day went and what to do the following day are often predominant. Therefore, one must take proactive steps to ensure every disturbance or stressful thought is done away with. So, you must not only identify the things that stress you but be bold to remove them.

For instance, does the thought of your financial needs weigh on your mind? Now is the time to remove the situations, especially those you cannot change. The reason is that stressful thinking can release cortisol, which will make you stay awake and alert instead of feeling sleepy. To replace this condition, you can pick a book to read or take up a quiet activity such as playing a game. Also, you can use some stress-reducing oils to induce sleep while staying away from a bedside snack.

Moreover, eating late at night can cause indigestion or even heartburn. As you attempt to read from a smart device or under light, try and protect your eyes from the blue rays. These rays can prevent your eyes from sleeping. In addition, put away every computer or smart device. As light is a significant factor in your sleep hygiene, a warm bath can also help your body regain its shape for sleep.

Bedtime

Now that you have successfully made it throughout the day and hit the bed, some rituals can further help. For instance, ensure your mattress is comfortable for sleep and the room is cool enough. Don’t forget that the primary purpose of a room is to be a place of rest and love. Therefore, set the right tone in the bedroom, which means that you should not bring any unrelated item into the bedroom.

For instance, there is no place for smartphones, work from the office, or LED lights. You should keep the room as dark and safe as possible. To establish good sleep hygiene, you must go to bed at about the same time every night. When we do, we have set a good tone for our body and biological clock to know and do, respectively. Such a strategy also helps the body’s sleep schedule. In the case of any disturbing pet, set them apart to limit the disturbance.

Conclusion

Finally, sleep hygiene also requires deliberate effort and core maintained structure. Also, you can use it to create a regular pattern or routine to follow for a better and healthier lifestyle. When you successfully develop these habits, you can begin seeing the rewards of such dedication.

Can a Sleep Hygiene and Sleeping Position reduce lower back pain?

Many adults in developed and developing countries suffer from lower back pain. Funnily, it does not matter what kind of job they engage in industrial, traditional, classic, or construction. For example, you can also experience lower back pain if your work involves excessive standing or sitting. Except you make a reasonable effort towards it.

By the way, the simplest solution to preventing this situation is to get an orthopedic chair with a massaging backrest. It gets so bad that the number of jobs lost daily across developed countries is getting significant. And if you come across this number, you may be well surprised. Meanwhile, there is a better way to manage this sleep condition, starting from your sleep position and sleep hygiene products to all you have to do for a better and healthier lifestyle. Click here to learn more sleeping disorder solutions.

Which sleep position is the best for lower back pain?

The sleeping position is part of your sleep hygiene, and it is essential to keep some matters at heart. Lower back pain can be based on circumstance, but when you notice that it persists for several months, it may be calling for a doctor’s attention. The doctor can diagnose whatever is still wrong in specific terms and tell you what to do.

In other cases, you may even need to visit a physiologist who observes what you are not doing right and how to change. For example, a professional can detect which aspect of your sleep hygiene is responsible for back pain. The reason is that there are ways to position your body when sleeping at night to help reduce or eliminate all forms of pain. Click here to read more about Rapid antigen tests that come be done at home.

Some people have encountered the needed solution by trial and error, where they eventually stumble on what position works best for them. For example, when your upper legs are raised upwards towards the body while lying down, your back appears more comfortable than in other positions. This feeling of comfort is because the position affords less strain on the lumbar region of your body.

The lumbar region is at the back, below the ribs, and is often referred to as the lower back. Consequently, this sleeping position allows you to tuck away your body and has been proven effective in reducing lower back pain. In addition, the physiological tests and experiments have shown two standard positions that can give you the best sleep hygiene for your overall health.

The first is to sleep on your side with your knees raised in front as though you are cuddling. The other one is to sleep on your back with your legs slightly supported with a pillow. In this position, your hips are rotated somewhat towards the front as though you were on your side. As for sleeping while you face down, it is not a practical position to favor tucking your legs and rotating them.

If you have to sleep on your stomach, you can put a pillow under your hips and start to sleep without a pillow beneath your head. So, the next question is, how can you maintain this workable position to get better sleep hygiene and perfect health? Below are the best methods for maintaining the best position

Maintaining the proper sleep position and hygiene

How you position yourself for nighttime sleep is an excellent way to achieve the solution to lower back pain. Practically, you need to stir and shift yourself during your sleep. In the end, you may wake to discover that you had moved from where you were when you slept. So, choosing a sleeping position is equally important to staying in that position when you wake up.

In the case of a sleep disorder, insomnia may describe your inability to remain asleep as long as you want. This disorder may trigger you to sleep periodically without intention throughout the night. Finally, you may not be able to maintain the same sleeping position you assumed initially.

And when you finally get up, you discover that it hasn’t helped your back. However, if you think your back pain is related to a sleep disorder, you may need to see a medical specialist. But lack of sleep is an indictment to your pursuit of healthy sleeping hygiene or plan, and you don’t want to combine it with back pain.

Answering Common Questions about Sleeping Position and Hygiene (FAQs)

How can you loosen a tight lower back?

If you discover that your back is strained or tight with any muscle around your lower region, you should consider a stretch. As a result, you can stretch that lumbar region in a slump stretch. First, you will have to sit on the floor with your stretched legs right in front of you. Then slump downwards from the head region. Imagine you trying to curl up on top of your body towards the floor. Hold on tightly for about 30 seconds and repeat the process twice weekly in each session. This process will lose your lower back.

How should I sleep if I have lower back pain?

There are many ways to create safe sleep hygiene, even lower back pain. But the overall goal is to keep your spine in a straight line. If you have to sleep in a prone face-down position, it forces the lower back region to be a bit curvy. Then, you can sleep on your side while bending your legs into a sitting position and lay on your back with elevated knees. This position has also been effective in reducing lower back pain.

Why does my lower back pain persist?

Perhaps you have tried all the possible positions and improved sleep hygiene, and the pain won’t disappear. First, occasional back pain resulting from lifting heavy loads or trying out a new workout will disappear after a few days. But others unrelated to any apparent reason may persist more than usual. You begin to feel the pain in the muscles and connecting tissues around the back. You can start to correct the situation without suggesting sleeping positions. But if they fail, kindly see a specialist for the correct diagnosis and solution.

More to read: The 7 Sure Reasons You Won’t Qualify For LASIK Surgery

CPAP masks success tips

It may be uncomfortable to sleep with CPAP masks because of the mask that covers your face and the tubing that connects you to the noisy machine next to your bed. We understand. They may undoubtedly be a pain, which is a major factor in why some individuals choose to sleep without them. Up to 35% of users do not use their CPAP masks as directed. Some just use it for a few hours every night, while others don’t even think about it.

We advise against doing it. Ignoring sleep apnea is as dangerous as ignoring high blood pressure and heart disease. Use these easy recommendations to incorporate sleeping with cpap mask into your routine so that you don’t have to sacrifice your health or sleep quality. Learn more factors before choosing CPAP masks.

1. Select the proper mask design

The good news is that CPAP masks have advanced significantly from the bulky, outdated noisy machine with the enormous face mask. Modern versions are quite silent, and there are many different mask designs to pick from. Modern CPAP masks have a variety of mask options so you may choose the one that works best for you.

Common types of CPAP masks:

• Full-face CPAP masks: People want for this kind of coverage from their CPAP masks. It covers your nose and mouth. It’s a wonderful solution for individuals who suffer from nasal congestion or mouth breathing at night.

• Nasal mask. It works effectively for those who move about when they sleep.

• Nasal pillow mask: This mask covers your top lip and nostrils and has the smallest face coverage. People who use glasses or feel claustrophobic in full covering alternatives would love this selection.

• Oral mask: If you breathe through your mouth at night, this is the mask for you. It just covers your mouth.

When selecting the kind of mask, keep in mind what posture you sleep in. The bigger masks with varied straps may press against your pillow if you sleep on your stomach or side.

2. Verify that your mask fits correctly.

Once you’ve determined which mask design best suits your requirements, make sure it fits. An unpleasant mask may cause a dry, congested nose and is painful. It’s too tight if you have red markings on your face. On the other side, if the mask is too loose, you won’t profit from what CPAP masks have to give.

Till you discover the ideal fit, experiment every night. You should adjust your mask while resting on your back and wearing it over your face. Your doctor will be able to assist you in making the necessary adjustments to the mask if you are having difficulties getting it to fit correctly.

3. Test wearing it throughout the day.

CPAP masks might first feel something similar to a facehugger from Alien being clamped to your face. Getting acclimated to it takes some time. Saving the adjustment time until when you are attempting to sleep is the last thing you want to do. Start wearing it throughout the day instead to get acclimated to how it feels on your face. Wear it as you read a book or watch TV. You won’t even notice it after a while.

Try breaking it down into stages if you discover that you can’t wear it throughout the day. Start out with only the mask and no straps or hose. After that, gradually fasten the hose and straps to the procedure.

4. Utilize the “ramp” function

The purpose of CPAP masks is to force air into your airways in order to prevent them from collapsing due to sleep apnea. Some individuals find it difficult to handle the sensation of forced air, particularly at first. In order to help you fall asleep, many CPAP masks contain a “ramp” option that gradually raises the air pressure as the night goes on. Find the recommended ideal pressure for your sleep apnea in collaboration with your physician.

5. Be tolerant

You should assess your progress in terms of modest steps as you become acclimated to sleeping with a CPAP machine. Nobody takes their brand-new CPAP machine home and instantly falls asleep for eight hours nonstop while using it. CPAP equipment may facilitate deeper sleep, which will benefit your long-term health. You’ll feel better rested if you use a CPAP machine while you sleep, despite the sometimes irritating challenges.

Final tips

• Get rid of any preconceived ideas you may have about CPAP masks!

Most individuals have at least one friend or family member who uses a PAP machine, and they may either love it or detest it. Keep your thoughts as open as you can and avoid letting other people’s experiences shape your own since everyone has a highly unique experience with therapy.

• Take a deep breath.

When using a PAP machine for the first time, you may be tempted to attempt to control your breathing and make an effort to inhale and exhale. But refrain! You can feel panicked and desire to remove the mask and equipment as a result. Breathe normally, and the positive pressure will usually become more comfortable with time.

The importance of consistency in use

In PAP treatment, “practice makes perfect” holds true! The machine becomes easier to operate the more you use it. Try your hardest to persevere on evenings when you feel like you’ve had enough of your machine. If you feel the need to walk away from the treatment for a time, go ahead and do it. However, be sure to put the mask and machine back on before going back to sleep for the remainder of the night.

The mask may either make or ruin the procedure.

Make sure you have the correct mask type and size for your method of PAP treatment, your pressure settings, your face structure, and your desired body orientation while you sleep by working closely with our DME professionals. Poor sleep quality using the machine is caused by ill-fitting masks because the airflow might “leak” and create noise and pain.

Consider these factors before choosing CPAP masks

Many individuals concentrate on the CPAP masks themselves when it comes to treating obstructive sleep apnea. The impact of a high-quality CPAP machine cannot be denied. It may prevent your airways from contracting so that you don’t have nightly sleep disturbances by continuously supplying pressured air throughout the night.

The CPAP masks you use in conjunction with the machine, however, is as crucial to it.

You need take into account a number of crucial aspects to choose the best cpap mask for your requirements. There is no one size fits all solution; ultimately, the best mask comes down to your tastes. You may avoid air leaks and other problems that can reduce the efficacy of your therapy by finding a proper fit.

Understanding the Various CPAP Masks Types

For the treatment of sleep apnea, there are three main categories of CPAP masks:

Mouth and nose are covered with full-face masks. They are the largest masks, however those who breathe through their lips when they sleep should use them. In order to lessen the sense of claustrophobia or visual impairment while wearing these masks, more basic designs have recently been produced.

The most popular kind of CPAP masks are nasal masks. These are tiny, triangular masks that fit over the nose and are secured by a variety of straps and cushions. The greatest candidates for these masks are those who sleep with their lips closed and breathe via their nose.

The smallest kind of masks are nasal pillow devices. The nostrils are where the nasal pillows are placed. They are a popular option for those who may experience claustrophobia wearing a bigger mask due to their tiny size. Additionally, those with small nose bridges or other facial traits that may make a nasal mask or full face mask leaky are thought to be suitable candidates for them.

Sleeping Posture

Your sleeping posture might have a big impact on the kind of mask that will be most effective for you. Depending on how you sleep, the mask may push uncomfortably on your face or result in air leaks.

Nasal pillows and nasal masks are often recommended for side sleepers. No matter how your head sits on the nasal pillow, the seal remains intact. To ensure a high-quality seal, users using bigger nose masks should utilize a soft, adjustable headpiece rather than a hard plastic one.

Although those who sleep on their back are more likely to have sleep apnea incidents, they may still choose any kind of mask. For this sleeping posture, full face masks, nose masks, and nasal pillows all function well and are unlikely to fall out.

It’s uncommon to sleep on one’s stomach and might be challenging to use CPAP masks while doing so. The ideal choice for stomach sleepers is often a nasal pillow since it won’t put as much pressure on your face and neck and is less prone to get displaced. You may need to purchase a separate cushion if you need to utilize another mask.

Whether or whether you turn over as you sleep is another thing to take into account. You should make sure the mask will work effectively even if you move about throughout the night and change positions. In these circumstances, it is usually advised to wear a mask with tubes that go up or over the top of the head.

Size Counts

You must make sure that your CPAP masks is the proper size in addition to choosing the best sort of mask for your requirements. Unfortunately, there isn’t a set size for masks in the business. For you to find the ideal fit for your face, some manufacturers give a range of sizing options, while other masks are bundled with a number of various cushion sizes.

The length of your nose’s bridge to its base, the breadth of its base and bridge, the size of your upper lip, the circumference of your head, and the space between your eyes are generally the measures that matter most for mask sizing.

Many suppliers will provide you a measuring tool to aid in taking these measures, along with a variety of dimensions for various mask sizes. The appropriate size will fit your face more comfortably and drastically lower the chance of air leaks and other issues.

Finally, keep in mind that you will need to adjust the straps after putting on the mask, even if it is the right size. The straps should be snugged up till your skin doesn’t feel unpleasant but they still provide a decent seal.

Choosing the Best Fit

Even after taking all of these things into account, you can still have problems with your new CPAP masks. You shouldn’t have to put up with excessive air leakage, blisters on your face, or an unpleasant fit. In fact, these problems may prevent your CPAP masks treatment from functioning. Consult your sleep physician if you have concerns about your mask and work with them to attempt to locate a replacement mask that will work for you.

You may have already heard your doctor or a rheumatologist discuss the word compliance. Being “compliant” entails operating your CPAP machine in the manner instructed. When you don’t adhere to your therapist’s advice, such as not wearing your mask often or not long enough, you are in “noncompliance.”

Within the first week of treatment, the majority of patients develop a pattern of either compliance or noncompliance. It’s not a simple effort to sleep with a mask pushing air into your mouth or nose, as anybody who has experienced it will attest. Unfortunately, many patients struggle with staying with CPAP masks therapy.

You’re not the only one who finds it difficult to wear your mask every night. Over 20 years of statistics reveal that up to 35% of individuals who are given CPAP masks treatments don’t follow through with the regimen. Some people use their machine for a short while every night, while others quit using it entirely.

For a variety of reasons, people have difficulty complying. They have trouble falling asleep with the forced air, the mask doesn’t fit well, or the tubes get clogged when they lie on their sides. Many individuals simply give up on treatment altogether, while others seek assistance, experiment with other masks, or change the surroundings.

It may be a huge concern if you are a pilot, a professional driver, or have an insurance company that monitors compliance. Most contemporary CPAP devices have sophisticated use monitoring capabilities. Precision tracking and automated transmission of this data to your doctor, insurance, or employer are also possible.

Failure to follow treatment instructions might have a major impact on your ability to maintain your employment or get insurance coverage for your equipment. Obviously, dealing with these financial consequences may be quite stressful when you’re trying to get used to treatment. The significant health consequences of noncompliance, however, are what many individuals find most concerning.

More to read: The 7 Sure Reasons You Won’t Qualify For LASIK Surgery

The 7 Sure Reasons You Won’t Qualify For LASIK Surgery

Do you want to enroll for LASIK eye surgery? Wait. The laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis refractive surgery indeed provides a permanent solution to different levels of vision imperfections, but the downside is that it is not for everyone.

As much as people want to have LASIK surgery to heal their long-time sight problems, many become heartbroken when the doctor breaks the shocking news that they are not qualified. Though LASIK has been approved for public practice, you might not be the right candidate for the vision corrective procedure.

Before going for a LASIK consultation, you are expected to have discussed with a vision specialist like personalEYES eye surgery groups in Australasia, to know whether you’re qualified or not. The vision specialist would assess on different grounds of qualification before recommending LASIK surgery.

From the expert’s point of view, here are the seven most likely reasons you cant be enrolled for LASIK surgery. If you don’t meet the standards, you are not the right candidate for LASIK. You can consider other options available.

Top 7 Reasons You Can’t Qualify For Lasik Surgery

1. You are below 18 years

LASIK surgery is not recommended for anyone below the age of 18. If you are not up to that, don’t think of going for the consultation. Today, much is not known about vision changes in the sigh of children and adolescents. More so, scientists are yet to establish tested and trusted measures to determine what influences the dramatic changes during childhood and adolescent years. Hence, doctors don’t recommend LASIK for people in that age category as results may be unpredictable or temporary.

2. You are pregnant or breastfeeding

Have you ever wondered why women are less numbered in the record of LASIK patients worldwide? Here’s a hint. Women are not qualified to go for LASIK surgery during pregnancy and when breastfeeding. By implication, if a woman develops a vision problem when pregnant, she would have to wait for more than a year before she could be allowed to undergo the LASIK procedure. Why is time that long? Pregnancy takes up to nine months on average, and exclusive breastfeeding lasts for 6ix months. If you add that figure together, you already have an answer.

Women experience fluid retention and hormone fluctuation during pregnancy which can cause drastic changes in their vision corrective prescription. Also, the hormone changes can cause dry eyes during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In addition, doctors administer medications for dilation during LASIK, which can later become harmful o the fetus when absorbed through the mucous membrane.

3. You are on prescribed medications

Certain prescription drugs can affect the potency of LASIK surgery. While some can delay the healing process, others may prevent you from getting the best possible result. Acne medications can also lead to dry eyes, which can cause a scar on your cornea after LASIK. Of course, your situation may warrant that you are on prescription drugs for some time, but you must allow your health care provider to make that call.

4. You have an unstable prescription

If your eyeglasses or contact lenses prescription fluctuates, you can’t have LASIK surgery. Based on experience, you are expected to have a stable prescription for more than a year. Meanwhile, one ear is the minimum. It can be longer depending on vision complications. Due to contact lens wear and tear, natural aging, and diabetic blood sugar changes, prescriptions can fluctuate. It is recommended that you ensure your prescription is stable before going for LASIK.

5. You are not healthy

Health is wealth as it determines whether or not you will participate in certain beneficial things or not. If you’re not in good health, you are not qualified to have LASIK. The reason is that it may delay quick recovery after the procedure. For instance, patients with autoimmune diseases cant have LASIK as it can cause dry eye syndrome. If you have been attentive to this article, you would have learned that dry eyes are a discouraging factor in LASIK surgery. Dry eyes don’t heal well after LASIK and can cause further damage to patients’ vision. Other health conditions such as diabetes, lupus, glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts can disqualify people from having LASIK.

In addition, you must have maintained a previous year free of health complications to be qualified for LASIK the following year. If you have heard about eye infections or injuries, going for LASIK might post some detrimental effects on your eyes.

6. Your pupils over-dilate in the dark

During LASIK, the surgeon can only laser 6mm diameter of your eye. That might not be good news for people whose pupil dilates to 7 or 8mm in the dark. If your pupil over-dilates, you may have unwanted glare, starbursts, or halos when the light is on at night time. That is nothing but a side effect. However, people with such pupils can be advantageous since lasers are larger than 7mm. It is best to ask your doctor to know the type of laser he operates. That way, you can manage to have LASIK surgery with your over-dilating pupil

7. You have dry eyes

Having dry eyes means you are not likely to be qualified for a LASIK procedure. Earlier in this article, we have mentioned, on different occasions, that dry eyes can prevent you from having a good LASIK result. Now, it’s time to discuss why it can be dangerous.

Dry eyes can cause post-LASIK discomfort or even worsen the dry eye symptoms. As a result, it can pose further damage to your eyes when you are expected to recover and have perfect vision. However, there are ways to make up for your dry eyes syndrome. Your healthcare provider can put you on certain dry eyes medications to suppress its effect before the day of LASIK.

Finally

If you don’t tick all the standards above, you can’t be recommended for LASIK. Meanwhile, if you are not qualified for LASIK surgery, that does not necessarily mean you should opt for contact lenses or eyeglasses. Other laser refractive surgeries can provide similar solutions as LASIK. You can get professional advice from your ophthalmologist to make an informed decision.

More to read:

Eye problems that Lasik Surgery can treat
A Detailed Guide to Choose Between LASIK, SMILE, and PRK

A Detailed Guide to Choose Between LASIK, SMILE, and PRK

For those that need to correct their vision imperfection with laser eye surgery, your best options are LASIK, SMILE, or PRK. All those abovementioned three procedures are effective ways to correct your vision imperfections and result in similar outcomes, but how do you know the best one for you? We will help you navigate some of these three treatments’ main differences and advantages.

LASIK (Laser-Assisted Stromal In-situ Keratomileusis)

What’s the Procedure?

Lasik eye surgery is the most popularly performed laser vision surgery today. During a lasik eye surgery procedure, your doctor will create a small flap of corneal tissue, folded back for the excimer laser to reshape your cornea and correct your sight.

What’s the Prescription Range?

Lasik eye surgery is suitable to treat mild to moderate myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.

Dry Eye, thin Corneas, and other Issues:

Because the surgeon needs o to create a corneal flap during a LASIK surgery, a good LASIK candidate needs to have a suitable corneal thickness. Certain patients with thin corneas cannot receive lasik eye surgery and will consider themselves better candidates for PRK or SMILE. In addition, because the LASIK procedure runs a higher risk for postoperative dry eye, patients that already have preoperative dry eye might not be the best LASIK candidate and may do better with PRK or SMILE.

Healing and Visual Recovery:

Lasik eye surgery has a quick healing time: most patients can return to work, do daily activities, and drive the day after lasik eye surgery. You will experience immediate results, as your vision will begin to stabilize within the first few days to some weeks.

What Are Refractive Outcomes?

LASIK patients experience 20/20 vision and can live free from glasses or contacts.

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)

What’s the Procedure:

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a wide-known laser eye surgery using surface ablation. During a PRK procedure, the surgeon will remove the outer layer of your cornea (the clear window in front of the eye) and reshape your cornea using a cool excimer laser.

The critical difference between a LASIK and PRK procedure is that the surgeon doesn’t need to create any flap during a PRK surgery, making the vision recovery slower than expected. The procedure only takes about five minutes per eye and is a quick outpatient procedure.

Prescription Range:

PRK can treat hyperopia (farsightedness), myopia (near-sightedness), and astigmatism.

Thin Corneas, Dry Eye, and Other Issues:

PRK is appropriate for people with thin corneas and reduces the risk of post-surgery corneal thickness. Some surgeons may also recommend PRK for those who engage in contact sports or have professions that risk an eye injury, like boxers. Candidates who have this lifestyle are more prone to have flap-related complications after a LASIK surgery, should they experience some severe eye infections or contact with the eyes.

Healing and Visual Recovery:

PRK has the most extended healing period of these three laser eye surgery. After a PRK Surgery, hour vision may become blurry for at least a week or two. If PRK, the surgeon, performed the procedure on both eyes on the same day, we advise you not to work or drive for about one week or two due to the blur. In addition, many PRK patients complain of more visual discomfort during or shortly after the procedure and even within the healing process than a SMILE or LASIK patient. Because the surface needs much time to heal after a PRK surgery, it can take several weeks or months before patients begin to experience the best visual outcomes.

What Are The Refractive Outcomes?

Refractive outcomes from PRK are identical to LASIK. Once your vision has been restored, you will likely experience optimal vision and reduced or no need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction)

What’s the Procedure:

SMILE is the most recently FDA-approved and newest laser vision correction procedure. The core procedural difference between a LASIK procedure, SMILE, and PRK is that surgeons don’t use an excimer laser in the process. Instead, he uses a femtosecond laser to cut a tiny keyhole incision in a patient’s cornea, where the lenticular (a small piece of corneal tissue) is removed. That helps to reshape your cornea and improve your vision, thus incorporating all the benefits of both PRK and LASIK.

What’s the Prescription Range?

Currently, SMILE can correct vision for patients with low to moderate levels of short-sightedness. If your prescription doesn’t fall under this category, SMILE might not be the best option.

Thin Corneas, Dry Eye, and Other Issues:

SMILE is also an option for those who were not good LASIK candidates due to thin corneas. Like PRK, no flap is created like in LASIK, which allows the outer corneal layer to stay intact. Because of this, SMILE is mainly considered a safer option than LASIK for patients with trauma to the head or eye because of more excellent corneal stability. There’s evidence that SMILE is a better laser surgery option for patients predisposed to severe dry eye because research shows fewer corneal nerves cuts than with a LASIK flap.

Healing and Visual Recovery:

SMILE has been performed over half a million times in the world. SMILE has exhibited fast visual recovery during clinical trials with minimal postoperative discomfort. The SMILE visual recovery period is almost as quick as LASIK. However, it is much quicker than a PRK procedure.

What Are The Refractive Outcomes?

Like all three procedures, SMILE provides an excellent refractive result that rewards patients with extraordinary eyesight and freedom from glasses and contacts. Studies show that visual results from SMILE, LASIK, and PRK are virtually identical. Some data implies that SMILE may have lower retreatment (enhancement or touch-up procedure) rate than LASIK or PRK.

In conclusion

Ultimately, that question can be determined by your laser eye surgeon. You will have to schedule a comprehensive eye exam and preoperative consultation to determine which procedure is correct for your unique needs and eye characteristics. Dr. Paul Dougherty and his team at Dougherty Laser Vision are among the nation’s most experienced laser and lens-based vision correction surgeons. They are ready to help anyone on their path to a better vision. Learn more eye problems that Lasik Surgery can treat.

Eye problems that Lasik Surgery can treat

It is wrong to assume that all eye problems can be treated by eye surgery lasik. Countless people have fallen into this error. Due to the good news they’ve heard about how perfect eye surgery lasik is, they kept on telling their doctor to do this surgery for them. How would it sound to your ears if you heard people talking about eye surgery lasik as though it is the only means of correcting one’s vision?

The fact remains that this surgery is just one of the ways of bringing people’s vision back to work. Other means include using medicines, eye drops, and cataract surgery. What am I saying in essence? I am trying to explain that there are eye problems that can only be treated via undergoing eye surgery lasik. On the other hand, there are other eye problems that cataract surgery is the best to correct.

Therefore, the essence of putting this write-up together is to explain and pinpoint the eye errors that can be resolved by eye surgery lasik. This information will help you to have a piece of background knowledge about Lasik. So, once your doctor mentions any of the eye problems that I want to explain here, you may likely conclude in your heart that the solution to it is eye surgery lasik. Let us briefly talk about what this surgery entails.

What is Lasik Eye surgery?

Lasik surgery uses a laser to resolve, reshape, and correct the eye’s cornea whenever there’s a vision problem. So, what happens doing Lasik surgery? There’s a thin cornea flap in the upper layers of the cornea. The flap is lifted. The work of a laser is to reshape the corneal tissue underneath. The essence of doing this is to ensure that light focuses better on the retina. So, when the process is carried out carefully, the corneal flap is restored to its original state. This fantastic process remains one of the most used strategies for correcting vision problems. However, one must not forget that this process requires specialized knowledge in its operation. This implies that a competent Lasik eye Surgeon must be the one to handle your eye if you want to tell a lovely story about how this process restores your vision.

Eye problems that need Lasik eye Surgery

Myopia: Myopia can be otherwise known as shortsightedness. It is said that one is battling with myopia when one can only see an object close to them. People suffering from this eye problem cannot see things at a far distance. Some of them cannot read things from afar. If you want to know if one is battling myopia, you can ask the person to read something from a distance. The moment the person finds it so hard to read, there should be a cause for alarm. Please note that the next thing is not to conclude or judge based on this writing. If you feel you have myopia as you read this article, the next step is not to call an ophthalmologist to carry out eye surgery lasik on you. Please don’t misquote me. The action you need to take is to visit your eye doctor for examination. Remember, this article only aims at explaining the eye problems that may likely lead to eye surgery lasik. Myopia happens when the shape of one’s eye causes light rays to refract inappropriately. Of course, it needs medical attention.

Hyperopia: Hyperopia is otherwise known as farsightedness. One is battling with hyperopia when one can only see an object that is far from them. People suffering from this eye problem cannot see things close to them. This common eye problem can be corrected only by eye surgery lasik. If you see these signs, you need to visit your eye doctor for a proper checkup. The moment you notice that objects nearby become blurry that is the sign of hyperopia. What are the causes of this eye problem? This eye problem occurs when the cornea is not curved enough. Hyperopia can also happen when an eyeball is too short. Once these problems occur, the light will be prevented from focusing on the retina. And you know there’s a problem the moment the light start focusing behind the retina. So, this eye problem can be corrected by eye surgery lasik. However, the decision to go for this surgery must come from the doctor. I am only trying to explain some eye problems that can lead to Lasik surgery. So please don’t misquote me. Don’t assume that once you see things from afar clearly, the next thing you need to do is Lasik Surgery. Please visit your eye doctor to examine you.

Astigmatism: When there’s an imperfection in the curvature of your lens or cornea, then you are battling with Astigmatism. And with Astigmatism, your vision becomes blurry at all distances. This eye problem might be in the form of farsightedness or shortsightedness. It occurs when the front surface of the lens mismatches the curves. So, Astigmatism is one of those eye problems that could later result in Laski eye surgery. Remember, you must act based on the doctor’s prescription. Therefore, if you have an eye problem, the first thing you need to do is to consult your doctor. The eye doctor will carry out some tests on you to determine your eye condition. The test result will be the determinant factor if you need to go for surgery or you need to use medicines to correct the lens.

On a final note

Dear reader, this article is what is you need to know. You can also share the link to this page with friends and family. This write-up aims to create a miraculous shift in people’s thinking about eye surgery lasik. Therefore, it is expedient to know that not all eye problems can be treated via this surgery. This article has done justice to that. Finally, while reading this article, a question regarding this topic might come to your heart. So, kindly drop your question in the comment box.