Frequently Asked Questions (Sleeping & Snoring)

CONTINUOUS POSITIVE AIRWAY PRESSURE (CPAP)

Got your letter and was pleased to learn all that occurred. You have a wonderful spirit that shows as well in your writing as in person..

I do not like the idea the anyone, especially K... who is your love and husband, who uses a CPAP unless they are at least learning how to breathe in the hopes of getting off it some day. I believe it forces an unnatural preset breathing rhythm not related to the ebbs and flows of one's moment-to-moment energy changes, and that is not good in the long run. Though it certainly can be good in the short run for sleeping for many.

I started to snore and feel borderline apnea in that I could not relax without "coming to" with a "start" having not breathed enough. I Transferred to a very hard massage table sleeping surface, a large pillow under my knees so I would stay on my back in a ribs-up position all night (I train people to do that) with a small thoracic pillow. I also began swimming the breast stroke. In a week, the snoring and apnea stuff went away to stay away.

From Mike:
I suspect that the position of the rib cage needs to be high so that the diaphragm can rise easily, and if the bed is even slightly soft, the body sinks down and inhibits effortless diaphragm rise (excursion) often enough that it gets used to staying down there at the bottom of the cycle. Sitting at a computer exacerbates the situation. As great as it can be, too much of Tai Chi and Chi Kung is in partial flexion without the ribs being up like a singer's. Or there is not enough emphasis from the teacher in the extension positions. The breathing coordination system needs to be used more with the body in extension, hence #191 Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing.

Stay well and the great person you and God have guided yourself to be. My best to your beautiful family.

Mike

BILEVEL CPAP

Bilevel CPAP is used in at least 2 ways: It can be used to arrest apnea and snoring or it can be used to arrest apnea and make it easy to exhale for people that have trouble exhaling against higher pressure. Different bilevel units work differently. Some of them change from exhalation pressure (EPAP) to inhalation pressure (IPAP) based on a preset low pressure set by the manufacture. This type of unit has a tendency to switch form EPAP to IPAP before the individual has completed the exhalation cycle of the breath. Feels like it is pushing back at your before you are ready to inhale. In some people it causes a feeling of suffocation. Other units change on a negative pressure or a time measurement. The units that change on a negative pressure usually wait to change from EPAP to IPAP until after you start to inhale. If you don't inhale within 3 to 5 seconds the machine will automatically switch from EPAP to IPAP and open the way. The way the different units sense when to change is a "secret" of the manufacture.

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CPAP, CANCER, WEIGHT LOSS

Dear Mike, Do you ever do any workshops on the west coast? Do you train people to assist others in learning how to breathe properly?

I am looking for some help in correct breathing. I use a CPAP machine and am overweight and have not had any energy to exercise. Watching my food intake without exercising does not produce fat loss. I am encouraging my husband to stop smoking and he is listening. I am looking at your tapes and book as a possibility for us but knowing myself, personal support and training work better.

I am starting a water exercise program and from what I have read proper breathing techniques may be what I am looking for. I am serious about doing something about my weight and energy and don't believe in "diets". Four years ago I had terminal cancer and healed myself without the doctor's prescribed radiation and chemo. So I know I can do this.

Unfortunately I have a limited budget at this time, so I am carefully choosing where I put my money. If I had an unlimited budget I would invest in a personal appointment. Thank you for any help you can give me. Selma

From Mike:
The CPAP is most likely weakening your internal breathing coordination. It may be necessary for you now but I strongly suspect it is causing long term dependency.

Breathing will help you change your metabolism but with the CPAP confusing the issue It is very hard to guide you over the net or even phone.

I admire your cancer grit and you need to know that you are in the right place with nutrition.

Almost No One. Repeat. No One that eats properly will gain excess weight. But make sure you take the thyroid test. But proper nutrition will handle the thyroid issue as well. Stress of course will negate some or all of every attempt towards health.

I tried to get my mother to lose 30 pounds for 40 years and she went into a rest home and three months later was down 30 pounds and stabilized.

From Mike:
I cannot help you change your breathing without personal sessions. The CPAP is too difficult to "compete" with by just exercising. The weight loss is critical to getting off the CPAP.

Access 8 Steps. Helping the lungs will help the rest of the body, big time.

DOES LACK OF SLEEP CAUSE POOR BREATHING?

Hello, Rather a general question I know, but is it possible to develop poor breathing patterns due to lack of sleep. For the past three years I have suffered severe sleeping problems i.e.,: difficulty getting to sleep, difficulty staying asleep which has left me drained and physically fatigued to the point where I now suffer laboured breathing, tight neck and shoulder muscles and a tight diaphragm which has to be manipulated by a Osteopath regularly. Although my sleeping patterns are gradually getting better I am still left with the physical pains of poor sleep. Does this all sound familiar, and what can I do to help break this cycle of bad sleep leading to bad breathing and visa versa? I will be forever in your debt if you can help. Many Thanks,

Maria

From Mike:
I strongly suspect that for the most part, bad breathing causes bad sleep. The reverse can be so due to lack of sleep and the inability for energy recovery but the odds are probably by (my arbitrary estimate) 1000 to 1 that bad breathing causes bad sleep. Keep going to the osteopath, get the manual and take it to that doctor. It will serve BOTH of you quite well. The OD would be a good choice as a medical doctor but probably cannot do all of what you need for your breathing. You might want to rule out sleep apnea but I believe that apnea is caused by faulty breathing and can also be helped by herbs and liver cleanses. Consult with a Naturopathic Doctor about this as well.

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SLEEP APNEA

Question:

I have taken sleep disorder tests 3 years ago, and have been found to have sleep apnea. I could not tolerate the sensation of air blowing in my face/nose so cannot use the standard equipment available to help me sleep. I hold my breath when dreaming (these are not nightmares -- just normal dreams). I become so interested or intense, I "forget" to breathe. I find this happens during the day also when I am awake. Occasionally, if am totally absorbed in something -- I hold my breath without realizing what I am doing. A missed heartbeat will remind me of what is happening. At night I am taking beta blockers because the lack of breathing will cause my heart rate to accelerate and this in turn wakes me up. My doctor has also prescribed Clonazepam at bedtime. Any ideas on breathing exercises or? I would love to get off the above medications. My doctors have never worked with someone with this "breath holding syndrome." This is something I have always lived with, but after a bout of pneumonia 3 years ago this has become a major problem. I have had to rely on the above medication to sleep. Any suggestions? I might also add, I take no medication during the day.

From Mike:
Get my #191 Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing manual and have someone open up your breathing with the Optimal Breath Releases (OBRs) that are described within.

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SNORING

Hi Mike, It was an interesting article about snoring in your website articles page. Funny enough, I woke up this morning around six. My wife has some snoring problems and I think that can be one important reason why she wakes up tired. I checked her breathing and it seems as her in breath is double length of her out breath. I know I snore some too, but if this is the case, the opposite of how to breathe, it must be of vital importance, I think, to breathe the proper way at daytime to improve at night-time. Is this correct Mike?

From Mike:
Absolutely! To consciously change one's breathing can be like learning to play the piano. You struggle some and the more you practice it the easier and more "spontaneous" it can become. But you must practice properly. Practice makes permanent, not perfect. Also, sleep on a hard bed. Click here Recommended approach.