Blogs > Sleeping with CPAP

Assistant News Editor Lee Dryden was diagnosed with sleep apnea and uses a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine to assist with breathing while sleeping. From a layman’s point of view, he will discuss the benefits, issues, challenges and frustrations of sleeping while wearing a mask.

Friday, October 25, 2013

CPAP makes you better looking

  The benefits of CPAP have been well documented in this space and many others.
  I know people who say it is life-changing and they feel like brand-new well-rested happy souls.
  A new report indicates CPAP users become more youthful and attractive.
  Say what?
  An article in PsychCentral.com details a study where the faces of CPAP users were photographed before and after at least two months of therapy.
  Volunteers (both medical professionals and regular folks) looked at the images side by side. About two-thirds of the group rated the post-treatment photos as showing the subjects to be more alert, attractive and youthful.
  An analysis found decreased forehead volume and less redness around the eyes and cheeks.
  So now you have more ammunition to convince your loved one to take the CPAP route - wear that mask and you'll look just like (insert male or female celebrity's name here).

No. 1 NBA pick has sleep apnea

  I wouldn't wish sleep apnea on anyone but it certainly sheds light on the topic when a celebrity is involved.
  No. 1 overall NBA pick Anthony Bennett of the Cleveland Cavaliers apparently suffers from sleep apnea and asthma, according to his coach Mike Brown in a report on www.slamonline.com.
  The report indicates he has difficulty with conditioning and getting up and down the floor.
  Bennett also had a shoulder injury that kept him off the court during the summer but the coach also cited apnea and asthma as factors.
  Brown (who coincidentally suffers from sleep apnea and uses CPAP himself) says he doesn't know if Bennett wears a mask at night.
  I certainly hope the team doctors do.
  Untreated sleep apnea leads to diminished daytime energy - not exactly a recipe for success when hoopin' it up at the game's highest level.