A number of people suffer from sleep paralysis and they aren’t sure exactly what it is. It can be a terrifying experience even though the episode doesn’t last very long. Sleep paralysis can last from a few seconds up to a few minutes and is a temporary, physical loss of function in the muscles while sleeping. It usually occurs during the time when the person is first falling asleep but it can also take place once a person has completely fallen asleep or upon waking. This is a condition that is not associated with sleep apnea in any way.
Sleep paralysis can happen to anybody at any time. It’s a good idea for people to get educated about this phenomenon so that they understand it when it occurs and aren’t as frightened by it. As with anything else in life, a little education is a great thing especially when it comes to our sleeping habits.
While this paralysis is occurring the person is fully aware and his senses remain intact. It may feel like there is a small amount of pressure bearing down or the individual may feel the sensation of being choked. This is a non-life-threatening condition but it can certainly cause a lot of anxiety.
The Difference between Sleep Apnea and Sleep Paralysis
Sometimes sleep apnea can be confused with sleep paralysis but it’s important to note that sleep paralysis is a lot less common than sleep apnea. Many people use CPAP treatment Toronto for sleep apnea but since it is much less common, not as many people need treatment for sleep paralysis.
Some of the differences between the two conditions include the following:
Awareness
Many sleep patients that are using CPAP treatment Toronto were not aware beforehand that they had this condition and only found out through a family member or partner. Perhaps the patient was snoring loudly or the other person could see that the sleep apnea sufferer was having a hard time breathing during the night. In other cases a person may have gone into the doctor complaining of fatigue during the day and the physician decided to give the patient a sleep apnea test. A diagnosis was made and the CPAP therapy Toronto began.
When a person has sleep paralysis, however, he is fully aware and conscious of everything that is going on around him but simply can’t move. This person is the one that will call up the doctor and let him know exactly what his symptoms were during the night.
Hallucinations
Many people that suffer from sleep paralysis tend to also have hallucinations. Most people with sleep apnea, however, don’t have to deal with hallucinations.
Snoring
Snoring is a common symptom of sleep apnea since the person has a problem with his air passages. Snoring is not directly related to sleep paralysis but that is not to say that a person that has sleep paralysis won’t snore. The snoring with sleep paralysis is caused by something different. It is possible for a person to have both sleep apnea and sleep paralysis but it must be understood that these two conditions have different symptoms.
Paralysis
Paralysis is associated with sleep paralysis but not with sleep apnea. In fact, paralysis is the biggest indicator of sleep paralysis and it can show up in different forms. Various parts of the body may be paralyzed including the ability to swallow or blink, which can be very terrifying.
CPAP Therapy Toronto
CPAP therapy Toronto is indicated for people that suffer from sleep apnea. It is not the recommended treatment for people with sleep paralysis unless they also suffer from sleep apnea. CPAP therapy includes the use of CPAP machines and masks with forced air pressure opening up the airway so that the person can sleep without interruption.
People with sleep apnea have interrupted sleep where they stop breathing and this may or may not wake them up. A person that needs CPAP therapy Toronto will get a lot of relief from the treatment method and will find that they will wake up in the morning with a well-rested feeling. CPAP treatment Toronto is an important part of helping the sleep apnea sufferer get back on track to overall better health.
Sleep Paralysis Prevention
Sleep paralysis is not a life-threatening situation but it can be very frightening. There are some things a person can do to help prevent these episodes from occurring during sleep which include:
- Reducing stress
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- Checking for medicinal side effects
- Exercising regularly
- Sleeping on the side
- Unwinding before bed
- Avoiding food before bedtime
While these things can help to prevent an occurrence, if sleep paralysis does take place during the night there are a few things that can be done to deal with it. You can surrender to the pressure and relax completely in order to reduce the anxiety that goes along with it. You can also try wiggling a toe to break the sleep paralysis. Slow breathing can also help since it fosters the feeling of being calm and relaxed. Humming has also proven to be therapeutic for many people that experience paralysis during sleep.
The last thing you want to do is panic since this leads to hyperventilation and more anxiety. It’s a good idea to practice prevention techniques so that you are ready to conquer the sleep paralysis anxiety when it does occur.
CPAP Machines Toronto
If you have recently had a diagnosis of sleep apnea and don’t know how to get started with the purchase of CPAP machines Toronto, we’re here to help. We are a leading Canadian CPAP machine company and we can answer your questions. We know that it can be confusing when you’re just getting started with your treatment and there may be a lot of technical terms that you don’t understand. Contact us through our website at cpapmachinestore.ca and will help you get on your way to a better night’s sleep.