How you do you land paid clients without a portfolio? How do you build a diverse portfolio without having paid clients?
This article is a continuation of a series about how I’m making the problem of building up your portfolio entertaining and productive.
In short, I created a Fiverr gig offering to write blog posts for $10 and asked my friends if they had anything they would like to be researched. They get a concise summary, while I add something to my portfolio and boost my Fiverr profile. You can read all about it here.
The following is the first of four such pieces I will be writing. Because this is very much in the style of a blog post that would require heavy SEO-optimization, I also used this as an opportunity to hone my SEO skills.
Leave me a comment if you spot any ways I could improve my writing.
Sleep Apnea and Sleep Apnea Treatment without a CPAP Machine
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a treatable, common, and potentially serious sleep disorder.
Sleep apnea occurs when a person’s breathing stops while they are sleeping. Because of the pause in oxygen intake, the person will suddenly gasp for air, causing loud snoring or choking noises.
Sleep apnea can cause sleep apnea patients to wake up multiple times throughout the night. However, many who suffer from sleep apnea are unaware of their condition.
What causes sleep apnea?
What causes sleep apnea depends on what type of sleep apnea a person has.
There are two types of sleep apnea.
1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the result of something blocking a person’s upper airway frequently during sleep. The blockage can be caused by a person’s throat muscles relaxing, obesity, tonsils, or hormonal changes. OSA is the most common form of sleep apnea. Males in particular are more likely to suffer from OSA.
2. Central sleep apnea (CSA) is the result of the brain failing to communicate to the muscles that control breathing. Less than 1% of people suffer from CSA.
What are the symptoms of sleep apnea?
Because sleep apnea interrupts and prevents restful sleep, sleep apnea can cause a variety of health complications, such as:
- Increased need to urinate during the night
- Daytime tiredness
- Headaches upon waking
- Reduced focus and mental confusion
- Memory loss
- Weakened immune system
- Decreased sexual desire
- Increased risk of heart problems
- Increased risk of high blood pressure
Sleep apnea is also associated with:
- Acid reflux
- Depression
- Liver problems
- High blood sugar and type 2 diabetes
- Abnormal cholesterol
What is the traditional treatment for sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is most commonly treated with positive airway pressure (PAP) using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device. A CPAP machine pushes a constant flow of air through a tube into a mask you wear while you sleep.
The device requires a prescription and is carefully calibrated to each individual.
It is recommended to clean CPAP machines after every use. The CPAP machine’s mask will also need replacing several times a year.
Sleep Apnea Treatment without a CPAP Machine
Some people find that CPAP therapy is uncomfortable due to ill-fitting masks or claustrophobia. There are a number of alternative remedies for sleep apnea treatment without using a CPAP machine.
- Using oral appliances: Oral mouthpieces hold your tongue or jaw in place so that your airway cannot close while you are sleeping.
- Losing weight: Sometimes, sleep apnea can be caused by upper body obesity that narrows the nasal passages. Weight loss in moderately obese people can prevent them from using a CPAP machine in the long term.
- Changing your sleep position: A frequent cause of OSA is the position a sleep apnea patient sleeps in. While sleeping on your back can worsen symptoms, sleeping on your side can prevent your throat from closing.
- Running a humidifier: You can use a humidifier at night to prevent dry air from irritating your airways.
- Limiting alcohol intake: Alcohol can relax your throat muscles, causing them to collapse while sleeping.
- Quitting smoking: Tobacco can cause inflammation and swelling in your airways.
- Exercise: Strengthening your heart with exercise can also help improve sleep apnea.
- Physical Therapy: Sleep apnea may be treated by strengthening your mouth and facial muscles to improve the position of your tongue.
In some cases, medication that speeds up breathing and surgery, such as to remove the tonsils or to implant a device that controls neck muscles, can treat sleep apnea. CSA can be more difficult to treat than OSA.
The Best Treatment for Sleep Apnea
All treatments involve some sort of lifestyle change. Work with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan for you.
Sleep apnea, if left untreated, can potentially lead to other health complications. If your symptoms begin to worsen, seek immediate medical attention.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other material contained in this article are for information purposes only. No material in this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you may have read in this article.
Freelancer’s Corner is a place to share my experiences on the journey of self-employment. Follow, clap, or consider subscribing on Medium if you enjoyed this content.
