Sleep apnea has become increasingly common over the last few years and can really get in the way of a good night’s sleep. Understanding this sleep disorder is the first step towards managing the symptoms. Here we take a look at different types of sleep apnea affecting over 100 million people globally, providing simple tips on how you can improve sleep quality and start feeling like you again. Get comfy and let’s dive right in.

What is Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that is essentially when your breathing stops while you sleep. This can be very distressing, disrupting sleep quality and impacting your well-being on various levels. The main types of sleep apnea are the following:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common. It is characterized by repeated upper airway blockage during sleep, leading to interrupted breathing and symptoms such as loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, and health risks.

Central sleep apnea

Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a sleep disorder where the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing during sleep. It can cause pauses in breathing and disrupt sleep.

Treatment-emergent sleep apnea

This is a less common form and refers to the worsening or development of sleep apnea symptoms despite receiving treatment, such as PAP therapy. It may be caused by various factors and may require adjustments to treatment settings or addressing underlying health conditions.

What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?

Whichever type of sleep apnea you experience can cause distress about falling asleep and zap the joy out of bedtime. To get a diagnosis of this disorder, it is best to consult a medical professional though these are some of the common symptoms you may experience:

Snoring

If you have developed snoring or are doing so more than usual, this could be a sign of the condition.

Gasping for air during sleep

Struggling for breath while you sleep is a common symptom which can wake you, disrupting your sleep duration and quality. If you share a bed with a partner, they can help report if you experience breathlessness throughout the night.

Morning headaches

These can be caused by a lack of airflow and a lack of quality sleep.

Daytime sleepiness and irritability

These symptoms can present as a natural side-effect of less sleep, impacting your mood and overall well-being.

What causes sleep apnea?

One question you may be wondering is what exactly causes sleep apnea. There is no single answer though any of the following can trigger the condition:

How can you manage sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea can be a challenging disorder to deal with, lack of good quality rest can seriously impact your health and well-being, and it is likely you want to do all you can to reduce symptoms and improve your sleep. The good news is the outcome is positive. Here are some of the common ways sleep apnea can be cured or managed:

Lifestyle changes

Simple lifestyle changes can drastically improve and even get rid of sleep apnea. From eating healthier and exercising to lose excess weight to giving up smoking and drinking. These changes can bring benefits far beyond bedtime, allowing you to start feeling better and waking up a lot brighter.

Treatment options

From a CPAP machine which can gently pump air into your nose or mouth as you drift off, to gum shields and, in complex cases, surgery, there are plenty of medical treatments to manage the condition. Your doctor will advise you on the best method of treatment based on your needs.

How can you improve your sleep?

One thing that’s definitely going to make you feel better is getting a good night’s sleep. While implementing treatments recommended by your health professional, here are some other simple ways to enjoy better bedtimes and improve the quality of your kip.

Embrace a bedtime routine

Getting your body and brain into a regular snooze cycle can work magic on its quality and duration. Try getting used to relaxing in bed and waking up at the same time every day. An unwinding routine can help you prepare for sleep, helping you drift off more quickly for a deeper, restorative snooze.

Choose the right pillow

Finding the right pillow that supports your sleeping position will not only keep you comfortable but can also help encourage you to sleep longer and wake up without any aches and pains. A hybrid bamboo pillow has the added benefits of optimised airflow and thermoregulation to prevent overheating for fresh sleep all year round.

Slow and steady lifestyle changes

Making small, steady changes to your diet and lifestyle can make a big difference to the quality of your health. From implementing a few workouts into your week, fewer takeaways and reducing alcohol consumption, you could be well on your way to better nights, brighter mornings and happier days.

Managing any sleep disorder takes patience and persistence, though by developing understanding, taking action and small steps, you will soon be falling back in love with bedtime.

Sweet Dreams

Explore our range:

Are you looking for ways to enjoy a more comfortable, supportive night’s kip? Before changing your mattress, there is a budget and planet-friendly alternative that can help improve sleep quality and make bedtime bliss. Mattress toppers are one of the most popular ways to reduce neck and back pain and add a layer of comfort to an old or inefficient mattress. 

What are the benefits of a mattress topper?

A mattress topper can provide various benefits, such as enhancing the comfort and support of a bed, prolonging the life of a mattress, providing additional cushioning for pressure points, reducing motion transfer, and improving the overall sleep quality by regulating body temperature and minimizing disturbances. Additionally, a mattress topper can be a cost-effective solution to upgrade the comfort of an existing mattress without the need to replace the entire mattress. Let’s explore a few of the many benefits they can provide:

Orthopaedic grade support

Proper support is the number one many sleepers look for in any mattress upgrade. Sleeping on surfaces that do not keep you in proper alignment and support your sleeping position can lead to back pain and bad posture and make those morning workouts impossible. A good quality mattress topper will provide orthopaedic support so you can rest assured you will wake up feeling rested and pain-free.

Budget-friendly comfort

Mattress a little tired or not quite doing its job properly? Replacing a mattress can be expensive and something you only want to do when you really have to. A mattress topper is a budget-friendly solution to add a layer of luxurious comfort and improve your sleep until you’re ready for that upgrade. They can vary in price, though you should be able to find a quality topper in the region of £100-£200 depending on your bed size.

Thermoregulation

Tossing and turning at night is never fun; summer months and life changes such as menopause can make overheating a real issue and make sleep impossible. A mattress topper, like the Panda bamboo mattress topper, can provide thermoregulation with advanced gel and heat technology that can stop you from getting hot under the covers. Mattress toppers vary in materials, fills, and styles. Choosing the right one for you is important, which we will cover shortly.

Pressure point relief

If you are one of the 15-20% of adults that experience back pain, bedtime can often be a culprit. Not having sufficient support for your pressure points can, overtime, lead to discomfort that can affect your day and zap the fun out of things you love doing, like walking, running, and those peloton workouts. A mattress topper can provide comfortable relief to your pressure points, keeping you in proper alignment. This helps ease you into better sleep and will brighten up your mornings.

Sustainable bedtimes

Replacing a mattress too soon or choosing unsustainable mattress toppers can play a big part in increasing landfill. This is having a devastating influence on climate change. Choosing an eco-friendly mattress topper like the Panda bamboo topper goes a long way to reducing your carbon footprint and taking care of our planet. Quite often it’s the small lifestyle changes we make together that can make the biggest difference. Looking for sustainable materials like bamboo as alternatives for many of our favourite products not only provides an abundance of health benefits, it is a great way to protect the resources of the world and keep the environment clean and beautiful.

What are the different types of mattress toppers?

Just like us, mattress toppers come in all different styles and sizes. Before you choose, have a good idea of what would make your sleep more comfortable. The four main types of toppers are:

If you are considering a mattress topper, you likely still have a few questions to help you make up your mind. Here are some of what many sleepers ask us before making the upgrade:

Rather talk to a real person? Our customer support team know their toppers, they are available seven days a week and would love to hear from you. You can speak to them via online chat or find their contact details here.

Sweet Dreams

Does the thought of getting up five minutes earlier than necessary have you running for your duvet? You’re not alone. Many of us believe that becoming a morning person is a pipe dream. A lofty aspiration that our love of sleep will always trump. 

Of lying in bed while those crazy morning people go for runs, meditate and tick off to-do lists that for the rest of us can wait till our alarm bosses us out of bed, thank you very much.

While that extra time in bed may feel scrummy, getting up a little earlier could do wonders for your health, self-esteem and even your bank balance. And despite what you may think, becoming a morning person is not as complicated as it seems. With these easy tips and a bit of effort, you could join the elite morning club. Pour a coffee, and let’s get to it.

What is the secret of becoming a morning person?

You must have wondered this when dealing with those super ‘perky’ colleagues at morning meetings. Well, there is no one secret to becoming a morning person- there are actually a few. From increasing your melatonin to exercising more and adding some sleepy snacks to your diet. Let’s take a closer look at the easy ways to optimise well-being and wake up feeling ready for the day.

Eye, Eye Bedtime!

Few things feel better in life than waking up after a good night’s sleep! From more energy to brighter skin… the benefits of getting enough kip are beautiful! Managing to get the recommended eight hours can be tricky, especially with demanding jobs, parent duties and all those Netflix shows to catch up with! The good news is there are ways to make the most of every moment’s shut-eye and catch up on any that you are missing. One humble bedtime accessory that can really help is an Eye Mask. You might have used one while in the air to catch forty winks, though the benefits of an eye mask can be used for more than jetting off on holiday.

Let’s take a look at how they can help you recharge, improve your sleep and what to look for when searching for the perfect eye mask!

What is an Eye Mask and when can you use it?

An eye mask is a gentle cover that can be used over your eyes to block out light and help you relax. They come in all kinds of sizes, fabrics and shapes and it’s worth taking the time to find the one that feels most comfortable. When looking for an eye mask, it’s good to have an idea of what you are going to use it for. If it’s for an occasional flight, you might not be so fussed about the quality and durability. Looking to improve sleep more consistently? Your eye mask can be used for everything from afternoon power naps to being part of your wind-down routine. The simple sleeping accessory could be an essential key to feeling more rested. Want to know why? Here is how it can help improve your sleep. 

How can an Eye Mask Improve your sleep?

Soft, silky, smooth… the right eye mask can feel like a sleepy hug for your head! The gentle pressure has a calming effect which can trigger the release of a sleep-regulating chemical called serotonin. This signals to your brain that it’s time to go to sleep. Whether you use your eye mask at bedtime or earlier in the day to catch up on sleep, you will be far more likely to drift off and relax.

An eye mask naturally blocks out light which is a common culprit for keeping us awake. Darkness boosts your levels of melatonin, which regulates your sleeping habits and prepares your body for sleep. Popping on your eye mask when you get into bed or snuggle onto the sofa will help you switch off and cocoon you from distracting light. Blue light and too much screen time can be especially harmful to sleep and even well-being, having one can instantly transport you to the peaceful sanctuary your mind needs to fall asleep.

Using it regularly at bedtime or naps can help train your brain to connect the ritual with relaxing and switching off. Taking time to recharge with power naps or integrating an eye mask into your bedtime routine can improve the long-term quality of your sleep and have you enjoying all the benefits that come with feeling more rested.

What do you look for when searching for the best eye mask?

If you are more than ready to tap into the nap-tastic magic of an eye mask, you’re going to want to find the best one. For the ultimate comfort, look for a fabric that is soft, smooth and silky like bamboo. A bamboo eye mask comes with heaps of other natural benefits. The trending fabric is hypoallergenic & anti-bacterial, making it perfect if you suffer with allergies or sensitive skin. If you tend to overheat, a bamboo eye mask will keep your naps cool & comfortable. Bamboo is temperature intuitive so perfect for all year -round snoozing! Make sure your eye mask comes with an adjustable strap, keeping it fitted nice & snug will optimise relaxation and set the scene for deep, restorative R ‘n’ R anytime of day.

Getting enough sleep can bring more energy to your mornings, joy to your day and a bounce in your step. Treating yourself to a silky, smooth Eye Mask could make life feel like a holiday without the airmiles.

Bring on the happy naps & better bedtimes!

Thinking of joining the gym? Hold that thought! Research suggests there could be more to ‘you snooze, you lose’ than you think. When it comes to losing weight, the bed isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, though according to Panda London sleep coach Max Kirsten, it could be the best place to start, “sleep is the most underrated weight loss tool available, it also improves the quality of your skin” Max says, who’s better sleep workshops have helped people all over the world.