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How a tennis ball can help the whole family
22 July 2005
Did you know that snoring is the third most common reason why couples split up?
No, neither did I.
In fact I think Lara's just made it up to make a point.
Because, apparently, my snoring has been horrific over the past couple of days.
Actually, it's no laughing matter (and I'm not just saying that because Lara's threatened me with the spare room).
Snoring can be a sign that you may be suffering from sleep apnea.
Sleep what?
Maybe you've never heard of it. After all, it's unlike your partner has ever said 'Honey, your sleep apnea is keeping me awake!'
But sleep apnea is far from a laughing matter. It's a very serious disorder that causes you to stop breathing for about 15 seconds.
And I don't just mean once, but literally HUNDREDS of times a night.
If you suffer from sleep apnea, chances are you'll feel groggy and exhausted the next morning.
But the hidden effects are far more dangerous.
You see, the constant oxygen depravation caused by sleep apnea can aggravate high blood pressure or hypertension, which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
In fact, a person suffering from sleep apnea is about three times as likely to die from a heart attack in the middle of the night as someone who doesn't, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine.
So what can we do to help?
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A good use for tennis balls now that Wimbledon's over
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A quick bit of research shows that the most common treatment for sleep apnea is a face mask that opens the airways to provide a constant flow of oxygen.
Effective maybe, but far from perfect.
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But dig deeper, and there are other remedies that are worth taking a look at:
- Get gravity on your side! Snoring is only triggered when you lie on your back, causing your tongue to fall back and block your throat. So try sleeping on your sides, so that your tongue falls forward.
- If you constantly turn onto your back during your sleep, try sewing a tennis ball onto the back of your pyjamas!
You'll soon turn back onto your side again.
- Lose weight! Last Tuesday's guest essay about the Montignac diet should help you with this one!
Overweight people tend have bulky neck tissue, which further blocks the airways and makes air rattle through the narrow gap. Losing 10% of your body weight is enough to take pressure off your throat.
- Avoid alcohol before bed. Alcohol makes you drowsy, which you might think helps sleep. Well, it does, but not good quality sleep. Alcohol makes your whole body work under par, so the force of your breathing will weaken, which can cause snoring.
- Full steam ahead! Nasal congestion can cause snoring, so try inhaling steam before you go to bed. Pour boiling water into a bowl, drape and towel over your head, and breath deep through your nose. This will loosen any clogged mucus and make breathing easier.
- Look like Robbie Fowler! Robbie is a footballer who uses nasal strips to open the nostrils and get more oxygen into the body during matches. So give them and try, and have a great night's sleep dreaming of scoring the winner for Wales in the world cup final!
Hopefully my marriage is safe now that I'm trying to sort out the snoring.
At least I'm luckier than this guy...
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Burglary... dangerous driving... snoring...?!
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While I was compiling this issue of The Good Life Letter, I came across this story which I thought you might appreciate...
Apparently a long distance lorry driver was on his way to Vegas by bus, travelling to his next job.
He knew he had hours of driving ahead, so decided to take a nap. Eventually, he started snoring so badly, the bus driver had to stop and wake him up several times because his snores were disturbing the driver and passengers.
But it was no good. The poor lorry driver continued to doze off and snore.
The next time he woke up, six policemen were dragging him off the bus. They handcuffed him and shoved in the back of a police car.
The charge...? Disturbing the peace. The verdict... GUILTY!
He now has a choice... either pay a $500 fine or go to jail for six months.
I give it five days until Lara gives me the same option.
Now, where did I put those tennis balls...?
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Why the deep blue sea could help ease arthritis pain
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A friend of mine's mother suffers terribly from arthritis.
Some days the pain gets so bad even simple tasks like getting dressed or opening doors can reduce her to tears.
Doctors have supposedly tried everything, but I wonder if they've tried this...?
Apparently the green-lipped mussel found in the seas off of New Zealand hold anti-inflammatory properties that are amazing doctors.
Maoris have known about the power of this delicacy for centuries, but as in so many cases, it's taken the civilised world years to play catch up.
If you know someone who suffers from arthritis, tell them to talk to their doctor about green-lipped mussels.
The results could surprise both of them.
That's it for today.
Have a glorious weekend, enjoy every minute, and raise a glass to good health!
Yours as ever,
Ray Collins
The Good Life letter
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