Health

Sleep Matters: What Apnea Studies Teach Us About Brain Health

Published

4 years ago

February 14, 2021

Do you ever wake up feeling tired? Have you been told that you snore? If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea, one of the most common sleep disorders among adults. One of two major types of sleep apnea, obstructive apnea occurs when you stop breathing while asleep because something is blocking your airway, and it can be very dangerous to sufferers. And, interestingly, the impact of sleep apnea on health can be quite extensive. As recent studies of both obstructive and central sleep apnea demonstrate, the condition may be linked to memory problems and may even mimic Alzheimer’s disease’s impact on the brain.

Sleep Apnea: The Basics

We know that obstructive sleep apnea is very common among adults, but we don’t have particularly good data on the condition, with estimates ranging from 9-38%. However, we do know that men, older adults, and overweight individuals are more likely to suffer from this form of sleep apnea.

Central sleep apnea, a form of the condition characterized by the failure of the brain to trigger breathing during sleep, is more commonly linked to other health conditions, ranging from congestive heart failure to various neurological diseases, and may occur at any age. For example, children with Angelman syndrome are prone to both central and obstructive sleep apnea, as are young people with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Sleep And The Brain

Sleep is an important function of the brain, and our brain’s activity changes immensely while we sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, or sleep poorly, though, the consequences extend far beyond simple fatigue. Given this, scientists studying the impact of sleep, or a lack thereof, on the brain have turned to obstructive sleep apnea patients as a sample group, and one thing they’ve discovered is that many people with obstructive sleep apnea demonstrate the same brain changes seen in Alzheimer’s patients, despite the fact that they were never diagnosed with any form of dementia.

Making Connections

Even before this study of sleep apnea patients, it was clear to researchers and doctors that Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia were closely linked to sleep, and particularly to circadian rhythm disorders. As recent brain research has shown, Alzheimer’s patients often experience serious sleep disruption, which can cause them to get up and wander in the middle of the night and can complicate their care. Further research into the vulnerability of the primary circadian clock gene (Clk) to neurodegenerative disease is still underway.

Other Theories And Research Avenues

In addition to the research showing neurofibrillary tangles and beta-amyloid plaques in sleep apnea patients’ brains, ongoing work seeks to understand why these develop in this patient set. One working hypothesis suggests that insufficient deep sleep among obstructive sleep apnea patients may interfere with the body’s ability to clear beta-amyloid and other waste from the brain. Looking ahead, if researchers can determine why these patients develop plaques but do not develop dementia symptoms, this could offer valuable insights for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Patients often dismiss sleep apnea as snoring or as a condition that just makes them feel a little tired, but the more we learn about it, the more concerning the long-term effects of this condition become. Just as researchers are taking the condition seriously as a topic of study, then, patients must take its management serious to mitigate its medical consequences.

Health

Her Fantasy Box Breaks the Silence and Stigma Surrounding Feminine Hygiene With Feminine Care Products

Published

2 weeks ago

October 24, 2024

Michelle Langton

Image sourced from Her Fantasy Box

Walking down the personal care section at your local pharmacy can feel like an interrogation. So many monotone bottles with clinical phrases line the aisles, and it feels like every other shopper is breathing down your neck. It’s no secret that women have special care needs for their bodies, so why do people pretend like it is? A new line of feminine hygiene products is seeking to break the silence. Meet Her Fantasy Box.

Feminine Care Products: The Search for Good Feminine Hygiene Is Over

A new age of feminine care products has begun across the internet. Her Fantasy Box has hit the online market as a top-performing brand in feminine hygiene. Getting its start as a TikTok sensation, Her Fantasy Box has dominated the market in just two years since its introduction. With its commitment to providing women with safe, natural, and stigma-free products, the wait for accessible feminine hygiene has ended.

An Online Movement Based Around Feminine Care Products

Her Fantasy Box launched in June 2022. In its first two years, its products have been delivered to customers with over $30 million in sales. Her Fantasy Box has reached women nationwide, filling the gap in feminine care needs. The brand has also gone viral on TikTok, becoming the #1 selling and top-rated hygiene brand on TikTok Shop, and its products are top sellers on Amazon.

Trusted Feminine Care Products for Her Health

Her Fantasy Box offers an entire line-up of safe, plant-based feminine products for women of every age. These products are gynecologist-approved for safety and address key concerns many women have, including:

A Stigma-Free Zone With Her Fantasy Box’s Feminine Care Products

Her Fantasy Box offers a stigma-free online solution to addressing these problems. Some of their most popular products, such as their Refresh Wash and Slippery Box supplements, demonstrate how the product line fulfills these needs in the feminine community. Their commitment to quality and effectiveness has earned the trust of thousands of women.

Image sourced from Her Fantasy Box

Founded From a Place of Understanding

Her Fantasy Box’s founder, Kay, came into the business with a unique public health background and eCommerce experience. After seeing a significant gap in the market for feminine hygiene, Kay used her combined expertise to carve out an online space for women to access hygiene products safely and with dignity.

The journey wasn’t easy. She had to overcome previous disappointments in her other business ventures, as well as struggles with her personal health and pregnancy complications.

Her Fantasy Box’s Mission

“Our mission is not just about selling products but about creating a movement that normalizes feminine hygiene and empowers women,” states Kay, founder of Her Fantasy Box. Her struggles with her health have inspired her to empower other women to take control of their health and well-being.

Her Fantasy Meets the World

With its roaring online success, Her Fantasy Box now seeks to expand its presence to global markets. Its campaign for stigma-free and accessible feminine hygiene will soon be able to reach women across the world. With the consumer trust they have established, Her Fantasy Box is poised to lead the feminine hygiene industry for years to come.

Feminine Care Products From Her Fantasy Box: Take Control of Your Feminine Hygiene

Women’s bodies have needs, no matter what they say in the manosphere. You’re not alone if you want to regain control of your health and body. Join the community of women who have trusted Her Fantasy Box with their intimate care needs. The silence around feminine hygiene has ended; you can make some noise here.