The menopause typically occurs when a women reaches her late forties, although it may happen much later. In rare cases it can occur much earlier and is known as ‘premature menopause’ (though only one percent of under 40′s are affected). During the menopause, hormone levels in your body begin to change and the end result is that eggs are no longer released and you will no longer have periods or be able to conceive a child. Unfortunately, the symptoms of menopause can last for between two to three years from the onset, meaning that awareness and management of your symptoms are hugely important for maintaining your existing quality of life.

Symptoms of menopause

There are a variety of symptoms of the menopause. The most well known and well discussed symptoms tend to be hot flashes (aka hot flushes), mood swings and irregular periods. There are many more menopause symptoms which may cause some discomfort and if you are suffering with insomnia, very light sleep or night sweats, then it is likely that the two are connected.

Menopause and Insomnia

It is estimated that eight out of ten women suffer with insomnia and other sleep disturbances during the menopause. Although you may not think that there is a clear direct link between sleep issues and middle age, it is likely that the hot flashes you experience during the day can also present themselves at night, causing you to overheat, sweat and generally cause discomfort. Another possibility is that the stress caused from the typical every day symptoms, combined with the emotional strain of knowing that a huge change is happening to your body can cause anxiety, weighing heavily on your mind and making it harder for you to have a good, undisturbed nights sleep. These sleep issues themselves may then, in turn, contribute to the introduction of further symptoms. For example, if you are constantly tired you are much more likely to be irritable.

Despite the high prevalence of menopausal sleep disorders, statistics show that only one out of ten women seek professional advice. Although the majority of women do not require medication, you should be informed of any help that is on offer, as well as any self help methods and techniques, especially if the symptoms are affecting your every day life.

If you wanted to try the medical route, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) has proven to be successul in reducing hot flashes and, therefore, sweating at night. HRT comes in many forms including tablets or creams and works by supplementing your natural oestrogen levels which start to diminish at the time of the menopause.

Natural treatments

If, however, you would rather stick to natural methods, there are some simple things that you can do to try and make yourself more comfortable at night, and therefore much more likely to sleep soundly. For example, try wearing loose fitting, light clothes when sleeping, especially consider items made from cotton. Also ensure there is good ventilation within your home, keeping windows open if possible to keep the bedroom cool. You may also find it beneficial to try and keep to a structured bedtime routine and getting to bed at a similar time each night, slowly allowing your body to adjust to this. Perhaps most obvious of all, try and avoid caffeine, spicy foods and exercise just before bedtime as these can both overheat and over-stimulate you.

For even more options, what about some tofu? Some homeopathic doctors suggest that soy products such as tofu can be beneficial in treating night sweat-induced insomnia as it is thought to be a source of oestrogen, but this has not been proven by clinical studies. Meditation is another method that is suggested to help. It works by relaxing the mind and body, therefore promoting peaceful sleep.

However you decide to tackle your menopausal sleep problems, please do not suffer in silence. There are many different remedies and techniques suitable for everyone so why not chat with your local healthcare professional to find the best method for you.

Definition of CPAP

CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Invented by Professor Colin Sullivan and his team  in 1981, the treatment involves the use of a CPAP machine, sometimes called a sleep apnea machine.  CPAP treatment for OSA works by supplying a constant mild air pressure to your airway whilst asleep, thus preventing your airway from collapsing. The CPAP machine delivers a flow of compressed air via a flexible hose to a mask or a sleep pillow. An important distinction is that it is the air pressure, and not the flow of the air, that prevents the airway from collapsing.

CPAP Components

CPAP mask: the CPAP mask is a crucial part of the treatment. It not only provides comfort to the patient but also maintains proper air pressure flow. The mask must provide a tight seal in order to maintain constant pressure. CPAP masks come in various sizes and shapes and can cover the mouth, nose or both.

Tube: This is a flexible hose which connects the CPAP mask to the motor of the machine.

Motor: Also known as the flow generator, the motor blows a steady stream of air into the tube which flows through the mask and keeping throat and airway passage open. Modern CPAP machines are usually very compact and quiet and can be kept on a bedside table without causing too much disturbance at night.

CPAP filter: CPAP devices comes with a filter which is located at the back of the machine at the entrance of the air intake. CPAP filters are essential to prevent particles of dust and debris entering your breathing passage. You can get both disposable and reusable filters. You must replace CPAP filters from time-to-time when they wear out.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea disorder is a chronic frustrating and debilitating condition which many people are not even aware of and thus goes undiagnosed. Thus, it results in daytime drowsiness or somnolence which leads to job-related accidents. Doctors generally recommend CPAP therapy to adult patients who suffer from insomnia and sleep apnea. The patients’ airways block or collapse during sleep and does not reach the lungs. Thus the patient takes shallow breaths and the air has to squeeze through the blockage resulting in loud snoring which not only disrupts his sleep but also awakens the partner.

Benefits of CPAP

CPAP is the best non-surgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. It has a great success rate and some patients notice a marked improvement after just one night of use. Successful CPAP therapy will greatly reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea such as insomnia and daytime sleepiness. As well as restoring your normal sleep patterns, you should also experience an improvement in work-related productivity, concentration, memory and alertness. CPAP treatment also greatly reduces the effects of snoring, one of the biggest symptoms of sleep apnea sufferers.

Problems that may arise with CPAP

CPAP is effective only if you use it on a daily basis. Initially, it may cause discomfort and may take time to get used to. If your problems persist, you must consult your doctor and he may recommend other masks. You can expect mild discomfort in the morning when you first start using CPAP. Talk with your doctor if you do not feel comfortable after a few days.

Other side effects of CPAP that have been reported include a dry nose or  mouth, sore throat, chest discomfort, nasal congestion, morning sneezing, runny nose and facial irritation.

You can reduce the side effects of CPAP machine adjusting your mask or changing the mask size, material, or shape. Make sure that there are no air leaks in the mask or tubing. A nasal spray or dehumidifier can help to reduce nasal irritation and drainage.

CPAP Technology

Undoubtedly, CPAP therapy has proved to be highly effective to treat OSA and with the advancement is medical science, various models are available. The latest machines even provides detailed data readouts so that you doctor can track your progress, make necessary changes in your mask or make other adjustments. CPAP devices and accessories are widely available online, the most popular manufacturers being Resmed, Respironics, Sunrise Medical (Devilbiss), Puritan Bennett, Fisher and Paykel and Aeiomed.

Other CPAP related treatments include BiPAP (Bi-Level Positive Air Pressure) which allows for independent air pressures for exhaling and inhaling, VPAP (variable positive airway pressure) which is similar to BiPAP and autoPAP which uses computer algorithms to determine how much air pressure to deliver.

You will take at least a month to fully adjust to any CPAP treatment for sleep apnea but once you get used to it, the benefits are numerous. Nonetheless, CPAP therapy is considered the best non-surgical treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).