Books on sleep apnea can be helpful
I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep disorder in which one stops breathing while sleeping.
The typical sleep apnea sufferer is a middle aged, overweight male who snores. I admit to being middle aged, but am not too plump and definitely not a male. I asked my husband if I snored. Being a gentleman he said, "No, but you just purr a little."
Still, I was amazed at this diagnosis. But it was based on a sleep study in which I spent the night at a sleep clinic, wired to monitor heart rate, breathing rate and a number of other factors.
About 3 a.m. the technician woke me up and said, "You've got it." He gave me a sleep mask attached to a continuous positive airway pressure machine and told me to go back to sleep. Not easy.
That was over six months ago, and since then I have spent hours searching the Internet for everything I can find on sleep apnea. I've come to the conclusion that I have sleep apnea for life and I might as well get used to the burden of sleeping with the dreaded CPAP machine. There are surgical options, which don't always work, and dental appliances which are expensive, not covered by insurance and again, don't always work. I've looked at all the information I can find about alternative remedies and there is really nothing I can do about my sleep apnea but accept it, and be glad that I was diagnosed. It's a lot better than weakening my heart or dying in my sleep.
I think my example is instructive. I confess that I am only now turning to books to help me with this situation. I've read a lot of facts on the Internet as well as some fanciful claims, the complaints of other sleep apnea sufferers, and the claims of charlatans. But it's in books that I have found the comfort, the solace, the encouragement and reinforcement to continue with the CPAP machine and to appreciate the value and the necessity of restorative, restful sleep.
"Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Sleep Well, Feel Better" by Ralph A. Pascualy was a practical help to me. It was easy to read and understand and included the viewpoints of a sleep specialist, sleep apnea suffers and their spouses. There are three chapters on the CPAP machine. Using CPAP is an unnatural act, but the results are worth it. I needed this encouragement.
I also liked "Healing Night: The Science and Spirit of Sleeping, Dreaming, and Awakening" by Rubin R. Naiman because the author, a clinical psychologist, put the act of sleeping in a wider context. While you might think of sleeping as being the opposite of being awake, the two are interrelated and influence each other. There is also much information on the nature and necessity of dreaming. The book is easy to read, almost poetic at times.
"Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives" by Wayne Muller was also informative. While you might connect the word "Sabbath" with the Jewish tradition, the author uses the word to connote respite from our busy lives. Each chapter includes a "practice" at the end that can be used on a daily basis after one has read the entire book. This book is a persuasive and wonderful recommendation for actively seeking calm and peace.
When researching a topic whatever the reason, don't forget the power of books. The reliable, in-depth information in books has the potential to be much more potent and profound than Internet information.