Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Snoring - Why and How to Fix It


Sleep apnea, which is abnormal breathing during sleep, can lead to snoring, disrupted sleep, and excessive daytime exhaustion. There are many causes of obstructive sleep apnea, and most of them have to do with structural problems that can cause and reduce the pressure in the airways, leading to snoring and disrupted breathing. Obesity is a common cause of sleep apnea as well; the excess fat deposits can clog throat tissue and make breathing difficult, especially when sleeping. Lying on your back is worse for sleep apnea in this sense, due to how gravity often closes up those air passages.

Sleep apnea is something that has been noted to have certain trends. It is more common in men than in women, for a reason. Men have longer necks and are generally heavier than women, which makes the airways lose pressure and occasionally collapse, causing snoring and snorting at night. Women tend to develop sleep apnea after menopause, due to the gain in weight and the strong link between obesity and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is more common in adults, though those with a family history are more likely to have it.

Though sleep apnea is often related to structural problems and obesity, there are a few medical conditions that have links to sleep apnea; however, most of them also have links to obesity, so that may be the link between the two. Diabetes is one, and acid reflux is the other. Acid reflux is when there is a backup of stomach acid that can hurt the esophagus or cause vocal cord spasms, which can block air flow and create snoring.

Treatment for sleep apnea varies greatly, but most of them have to do with lifestyle changes (there is also surgery and prescription medication, but those are a little bit more drastic). Sleep apnea symptoms include more than snoring, from excessive daytime sleepiness to cardiovascular disease and automobile accidents. Sleep apnea is something that should be treated, and one lifestyle change is sleeping positions and the way that people sleep. Sleeping on their back makes snoring worse, due to the way that gravity presses down on the chest and throat and can close more airways than would be closed with a person sleeping on their side.

A good mattress is just as important. It can make sleeping easier and make sure that you get the sleep you deserve, helping rid of excessive daytime sleepiness and ease snoring! Sleep apnea often interrupts a normal sleep cycle with stopping the flow of air and bringing people out of a deep sleep. Using a Tempurpedic mattress makes it easier for people to sleep on their sides, easing sleep apnea symptoms. Weight loss and a healthy lifestyle are infinitely important as well.


American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.


Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lessening Symptoms of Nighttime Heartburn and Acid Reflux


Acid reflux is painful and can be very damaging and dangerous to your health. At night, acid reflux symptoms are at their most damaging and dangerous. By lying down, you lose the effect that gravity has of keeping your stomach acid mostly in your stomach and away from your throat: by lying down, it makes it easier for acid to move up your throat and create heartburn, regurgitation, and damage to your esophagus from all of the acid. This can make it difficult to swallow food and can create chronic sore throat.

Firstly, diet should be changed. Foods high in acid are bad and will make someone more likely to have acid reflux symptoms or even to develop acid reflux if they do not have it at all. There are many things that one can change about their diet, and the first step is eating smaller meals. Eating a big meal means that the stomach is distended higher, making it easier for stomach acid to make the jump to the esophagus, or for heartburn and burping to happen. Eating slowly is also helpful; that way you know when you’re full and you don’t overeat. Making sure that you eat a small meal for dinner is the most important; eat the big meal at lunch. Additionally, with a small meal at dinnertime, most of the food will have been digested and that will make sure that reflux is much less likely to occur and disrupt your sleep.

There are particular foods to avoid. Peppermint, excessive amounts of chocolate, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, citrus foods, spicy foods, and more can all lead to acid reflux or worsen the condition. Be sure to listen to your body and find out what triggers your acid reflux symptoms; it’s different for everyone. Some people are okay with citrus, some okay with caffeinated drinks. Testing the waters is important to be sure that you don’t overstep boundaries and find yourself in pain when it comes time to sleep.

A form of treatment that has not been scientifically proven is chewing gum. Chewing gum produces more saliva and promotes easier swallowing. More saliva counteracts acid in your stomach and can help alleviate acid reflux symptoms or prevent them. Though it has not been proven, there’s no reason to not chew some gum after a heavy meal!

Using an elevated pillow or an adjustable bed can help ease symptoms as well. Because you don’t get the added bonus of having gravity help keep away symptoms at night, using an elevated wedge pillow or an adjustable bed can help you to get that edge back. By elevating your neck, shoulders, and chest you can help keep the pain away. Just elevating your head with two pillows doesn’t help; it’s counteractive and doesn’t raise your chest, which is most important.

Be sure to check out your local mattress store and visit your doctor to find the best way for you to sleep well and feel well!


American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Symptoms of Acid Reflux and How to Treat Them


Once a month half of the American population has acid reflux. They could perhaps have regurgitation, or heartburn, or nausea after eating. It may seem normal, but if not treated acid reflux can lead to some serious health complications! If someone has acid reflux, they need to examine their life and perhaps make some changes.

Acid reflux symptoms can be very painful as well as damaging. Heartburn burns (hence the name), regurgitation is the sensation of acid backing up the throat (gross, to say the least), and it can wear away at the protective lining of the esophagus, which can be damaging to health. If acid reflux is left untreated, the esophagus could be badly damaged. There could be bleeding, ulcers, and scar tissue in the esophagus

You can treat it! Living healthily is the best cure. Regular exercise and making sure that you keep your like stress-free can greatly ease pain and symptoms. A nutritious diet, free of citrus, alcohol, carbonated drinks, tomatoes, and other acidy foods will greatly help to reduce those pesky symptoms. The diet is really important because those symptoms are often caused by a diet very high in acid.

One other important thing that you can do to reduce these symptoms and ensure your health is to buy a great, comfortable mattress. The majority of acid reflux symptoms occur during the night when people lie down. When you lie flat, it makes it easier for acid reflux symptoms to occur, and this in turn makes it harder to sleep! It’s a vicious cycle, and one that can be helped by using a wedge pillow. It will help to elevate the head, chest, and shoulders, making it harder for acid reflux symptoms to occur and helping to protect your esophagus. Come into the American Mattress Gallery today to try out some pillows and mattresses!



American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Mattresses Help Alleviate Low Back Pain

Chronic back pain can make life more painful than it needs to be. Doing everyday tasks can be difficult, painful, and frustrating. Even getting a good night’s sleep seems like it will never happen, and sleep is important.

You need sleep, your body needs and relies on it and cannot function properly without a good amount of sleep. With chronic back pain, your body loses sleep and loses its ability to function. Even healthy people need sleep, and people who are stressed out or have a lot of pain in their lives need it just as much if not more. Back pain prevents you from getting a restful sleep and sometimes you’ll wake up with even more pain. Studies have shown that if you are sleep deprived you are even more sensitive to pain, creating a nasty vicious cycle.

Depression, stress, and anxiety can make the quality of your sleep lacking, and they can also up the amount of pain that you feel. Depression and stress can make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep, and stress makes us tired, drained, and frustrated. If you reduce the stress in your life, you will sleep better despite back pain. Eating well, making sure that you make time for fun and family, and trying to stay in a feel-good place can help!

Additionally, the mattress that you’re sleeping on makes all the difference in sleeping well and also helping to ease stress, depression, and anxiety. Lack of sleep can make stress worse, and chronic back pain causes lack of sleep, so it may feel like you just can’t win. But you can win by choosing a comfortable mattress and pillow that suits your needs and can help erase pain and discomfort from your life. Studies have shown that a medium firm mattress is the best! The most important thing is your comfort, and Tempurpedic and Serta are two great brands.

One important thing to do to ease back pain is to make sure that you have proper sleeping posture. Sleeping on your stomach can be bad because it arches your back the wrong way, and most people are comfortable on their sides or back. Tempurpedic mattress mould themselves to you, so your spine stays aligned and you don’t have to worry about bad sleeping posture. Serta mattresses are also great, infinitely comfortable and making sure you get the best sleep possible.



American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Pillows Go Hand in Hand With Acid Reflux


Stomach acid backing up into the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth sounds painful and disgusting, but it is a very common symptom of acid reflux. Acid reflux is a disorder that is painful, dangerous, and one that has many painful and uncomfortable symptoms.

One such symptom is heartburn. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux, and it is a burning feeling that goes from the stomach to the chest, depending how severe it is. It often happens after a heavy meal or a meal with a lot of acidic foods, after heavy lifting, and often after lying down to sleep. Actually, most acid reflux symptoms occur at night (seventy five percent of the time, to be exact). Nighttime acid reflux symptoms are also more painful at night as well as more frequent.

That feeling of “I just threw up in my mouth” or a “wet burp” comes hand in hand with regurgitation, another uncomfortable symptom of acid reflux. Regurgitation is basically when acid backs up the throat and into the mouth. It is not only gross, it is painful and it can be very damaging to the protective lining of the esophagus, since it can gradually wear away at the protective lining, which will create more and more pain.

Another symptom is chest pains. Often when experiencing acid reflux, people feel as if there is a piece of food lodged behind the breastbone, which can also make it feel as if breathing is difficult. There are many types of chest pain, and the type of chest pain as it relates to acid reflux is very different from that relating to heart disease; it should be made sure that different types of chest pain are differentiated from one another.

Chronic hiccupping, chronic sore throat, and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) are all symptoms as well. Dysphagia can cause people to choke or for food to get stuck in the throat, which can cause intense, extremem pain. Also, dysphagia can cause people to get food or liquid in their lungs because of the trouble swallowing. Chronic sore throat and chronic hiccups are damaging and also frustrating, painful symptoms.

There are things that you can do! Being sure that your diet is healthy and that you aren’t eating many foods high in acid. By eating good, healthy foods and exercising regularly you can reduce your symptoms and you chances of ever having acid reflux. Using the proper pillow will also help the symptoms, because it will keep your head and chest elevated, making it more difficult for the acid to make its way up your throat, also protecting your esophagus. Check out some wedge pillows and find some healthy food, and you’re on your way to zapping heartburn and acid reflux. 


American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Your Sleep Schedule Affects Your Sleep Disorder


A sleep disorder involves any difficulty that relates to sleeping. These disorders tend to be very common and they cover a broad range of things, like having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, falling asleep at inappropriate times, too much sleeping, sleep terrors, sleep talking, and more. Shockingly, there have actually been over one hundred sleep disorders that have been identified. Doctors split them into four categories: insomnia, excessive daytime exhaustion, sleep rhythm issues, and sleep disruptive behaviors.

Stress is just one cause of sleep disorders. In fact, stress and anxiety will make it very difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, and when you are sleeping stress keeps your mind racing, as if to be sure you don’t get a good night’s sleep and you awake still tired.

A healthy lifestyle is the start to sleeping well and soundly. Regular sleep habits is one way to get ahead! Falling asleep and waking up at the same time every day, all the time, can really help. It can help you into a habit and so you aren’t lying awake at 2 in the morning when you have to work the next day on Monday because Saturday night you were awake till 4am doing who knows what! A quiet sleep environment also assists in riding of sleep disorders, as having it quiet when you are falling asleep will, for most, help quiet the mind. Another simple thing to help your sleep patterns is to use a new comfortable mattress!

Serta, Tempurpedic, and adjustable beds are fantastic. Tempurpedic mattresses shape themselves to your body, so you sleep long and better. They reduce those pesky symptoms of sleep disorders and therefore you sleep better! Additionally, having a comfortable mattress also helps with physical discomfort. Tempurpedic mattresses keep the spine in line, with helps ease joint pains and makes sleeping easier on you!

Being sure to get a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things that you can do for your body. Our bodies crave and need sleep, and by using old mattresses, stressing ourselves out, and more, we deny our bodies one of the very things they need to survive. Additionally, getting a good night’s sleep will help your sleep disorder from arising and disrupting the whole family time and again!



American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Your Mattress Makes a Difference in Your Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, painful disorder. It causes the immune system to attack the joints, and it can be very disabling and painful. This can, in turn, lead to loss of mobility. Arthritis can also affect tissues throughout the body such as skin, blood vessels, the heart, lungs, and muscles throughout the body. Typically, the affected joints are the hands, knees, elbows, ankles, and feet.

Some major rheumatoid arthritis symptoms are joint pain, stiffness in joints, inflammation, and swelling. Some early symptoms that show up before joint pain begins and that remind when the inflammation really begins are fatigue, morning stiffness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and weakness. Eventually, as the disease progresses, the symptoms can become even more dangerous. These symptoms are anemia (failure of bone marrow to produce new red cells), eye burning, hand and feet deformities, fever, lung inflammation, numbness, swollen glands and inflammation.

Based on the symptoms, arthritis is not something to mess around with. It is a painful, debilitating disorder that should be treated as soon as possible! There are many ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Probably the most important is a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle. Exercising regularly is important, since gentle exercise can help to strengthen the muscles are joints, lessening arthritis symptoms. Additionally, exercise can help fight fatigue and reduce stress, but be sure to check with your doctor before exercising. Applying heat or cold can relax painful muscles and joints. Relaxing is also important! It can help to cope with stress. Deep breathing and muscle relaxation can be used to control pain. As relaxing is very important, so is sleeping well. Medication is always an option, especially if the arthritis is severe.

Sleeping well is important to help to reduce fatigue, pain, and stiffness. If one does not sleep well or does not get enough sleep, it creates many more problems. Stress and fatigue are more rampant, and pain and stiffness can get worse. Sleeping on a bad mattress can also worsen joint pain; even people without arthritis do not sleep well on a bad or old mattress. Finding the proper mattress for you, such as a tempurpedic or serta mattress, can help reduce swelling, stiffness, and other symptoms of arthritis. Check with your doctor for more information!


American Mattress Gallery at 43235 W. 12 Mile Rd., Novi, MI 48377.

Serving all of Michigan, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Lenawee, Monroe Counties. Located in Novi, Michigan 48377, near Wixom, Farmington Hills, Farmington, Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield,Royal Oak, Ferndale, Milford, Walled Lake, Commerce, Franklin, Bingham Farms, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Lathrup Village, Huntington Woods, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Detroit, Redford, Redford Twp., Livonia, Westland, Northville, Plymouth, Canton, Ann Arbor, Brighton, New Hudson, Hartland, Howell, Highland, Milford, Wolverine Lake, Union Lake, Sylvan Lake, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake Village, Pontiac, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Warren, Rochester, Troy, Auburn Hills, Drayton Plains, Clarkston, Fenton, Linden, Goodrich, Grand Blanc, Flint.