What is Sleep Apnea?

28th of June, 2017

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep condition in which the flow of air is decreased while you are asleep because the airway is obstructed or narrowed.

On occasion, this can happen to anyone but when it is not a consistent issue, it is called a "sleep apnea episode."

Two types of sleep apnea exist:

• CSA (Central Sleep Apnea): This type of sleep apnea occurs when the brain and muscles are not in sync. The brain does not signal the muscles to breath and breathing can stop. It is less common than Obstructive sleep apnea.
• OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea): This type of sleep apnea occurs when the airway is blocked and air does not have free passage to the lungs. This is a more common type of sleep apnea. This often occurs when "soft tissue" obstructs the passage way. These muscles become more relaxed during sleep, and fall back and block the airway.

A common and annoying symptom of sleep apnea can be snoring. Snoring occurs when the area is trying to get past the obstruction and into the airway.

            Some characteristics that increase the likelihood for sleep apnea are:

• Unique shapes of the airway that cause the airway to be narrower or collapse 
• Large neck or collar size (17 inches or more in men and 16 inches or more in women)
• Large tongue, which may fall back and block the airway
• Being overweight, pregnant or obese
• Large tonsils and adenoids in children that can block the airway
• A lower jaw that is shorter than the upper jaw
  A narrow airway that is smaller than average
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• Tips for Preventing Sleep Apnea:
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• Losing weight if you are overweight.
• Do not sleep on your back.
• Decreasing or cutting out alcoholic drinks.
• Adjusting sleeping positions to open up airway.
• Quit Smoking Cigarettes. Smoking can increase the swelling in the nasal passage and increase the risks for apnea.

Osteoporosis in the Aging Population

11th of April, 2017

Osteoporosis in the Aging Population:


Osteoporosis is a condition of the skeletal system where bones become brittle, weak and porous. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men but can occur in both genders. It is more likely to develop in the aging population and in people 50 and older. The bones in people with osteoporosis become more brittle, soft and have a porous appearance.

Osteoporosis is more likely to occur in people with Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies. The biggest danger of osteoporosis is the increased likelihood of broken bones. This can be extremely painful and irreversible because the bones are not able to repair very well.

Osteoporosis can also cause a decreased height in the individual and severe back pain. These are the primary and only signs of osteoporosis. Factors that can increase osteoporosis are aging, vitamin deficiency, lack of exercise, excess soda consumption and frequent tobacco and alcohol use.


There are ways to prevent osteoporosis:

Resistance exercise like walking, swimming and weight lifting. Exercise increases bone mass. The peak time to build bone mass is in your 20's. The higher your bone mass the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis.

A healthy and balanced diet. Most of us know what a healthy diet needs to consist of, but very few people can keep it up for long periods of time. Try to make it a lifestyle change. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Drink more water and less soda. Eat less processed foods and more fresh, whole foods. If it comes out of a box or a drive-through, it is not good for you.

Getting enough Vitamin D. Getting enough sunlight is important because vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption by the bones, making the bones stronger. Try exercising outside - it is a great way to get resistance training as well as sunlight.


Take all these factors into consideration and create a healthier lifestyle. Do it for the future you and to keep your bones strong and healthy for a long time!

Fall Prevention for the Elderly

8th of March, 2017


Fall Prevention for the Elderly:


A tumble can happen at any age. We learn to walk as little kids, and we fall quite often - its a natural part of life. Unfortunately when elderly people fall, it is much more dangerous because their brittle bones cannot withstand the impact.

As we age, our gait/balance changes and becomes more unstable due to lack of practice. Falling can also lead to anxiety, depression and a sense of vulnerability. Which is why it is so important to prevent falls.

There are several ways to prevent falls::

First, encourage the elderly person in your family to get an eye check up to make sure their vision is not deteriorating. Poor vision can affect their ability to walk and see what is in their path.

Second, be familiar with their medication. Some medicine does include sleep aids or can lead to drowsiness and disorientation. This is especially dangerous at night when the elderly may get up to use the restroom. Consider bed pans to reduce late-night walking.

Third, get companion care for your loved one. This is the easiest step but unfortunately people always hire help AFTER a serious fall has taken place. A companion will ensure your love one's safety and prevent falls.

Other tips and tricks to prevent falling:

• install grab bars in showers
• use non-slip rugs
• keep a well-lit home
• secure rails on stairs

Keep your loved one safe and healthy by using these tips to prevent falls!

Take Advantage of Spring: Vitamin D

8th of March, 2017


Take Advantage of Spring: Vitamin D


As we begin to approach spring, the days are getting longer and the sunlight is available more hours of the day. There are great advantages to this; going for walks at the parks, hiking, beautiful beaches and just spending more time outdoors. One of the major benefits of spring is being able to spend time outside and enjoying the sunshine. The sunshine releases feel good chemicals such as serotonin and improves the mood. However, it is also a great source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D from the sun is essential to growing and keeping strong and healthy bones!

A large majority of elderly people do not spend a lot of time outside and unfortunately this contributes to the deterioration of their skeletal system. Taking your aging parent or grandparent for walks or to just sit in the sun is beneficial to preventing fractures during falls and deterioration of bones.

Vitamin D actually facilitates the absorption of calcium, which is also an essential part of healthy and strong bones. Getting Vitamin D just from your foods is not as advantageous as getting it from food AND the sun!

So this spring, take a walk outside and enjoy the sunlight - it has more health benefits than you think!