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Health Beat: Alternatives to Using a CPAP Machine
By Mark McNease
I’ve been using a CPAP machine for over five years now. I got lucky, as far as I’m concerned, by only needing the nostril pillows. It’s not uncomfortable, and I quickly got used to having a hose coming out of my face onto a machine set up by the bed. But I would still prefer not having to use it. It’s especially inconvenient when we travel and I lug this thing around with us wherever we go. There’s the added hassle of either taking sterilized water, which is used in the machine, or buying it when we get to our destination.
My machine recently started making bag-motor noises and I need a new one. However, I was told I have to be tested again, and to get a new prescription from my “sleep doctor.” I have an appointment to see him in October, when my Medicare kicks in. In the meantime, I thought I’d take a look at some possible alternatives to having your life tied to a CPAP. I don’t know if the weight loss suggestion will work for me, since I’m perpetually trying to lose weight. Hopefully we’ll find out soon. In the meantime …
Possible Alternatives to a CPAP Machine
One alternative to using a CPAP machine is an Oral Appliance, also known as a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD). This type of appliance fits inside the mouth like a mouthguard and helps to keep the airway open during sleep by bringing the lower jaw slightly forward. Oral appliances are typically adjustable, allowing users to find the most comfortable setting.
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Health Beat: Now That You Have Your Medicare Card
By Mark McNease
It finally happened: the great reward for living almost 65 years! I’ll be passing that milestone in October, and I just got my Medicare card in the mail. It was like Christmas in June. The good news is I made it this long, the not-so-good news is … I made it this long. While that means I have fewer days ahead of me than behind me, it also means I’ll soon be able to enjoy healthcare as a Medicare recipient. No more ‘paycheck jobs’ for the sake of having medical coverage. And let’s face it – that’s why I worked for most of the last ten years.
The instructions for what to do once your card arrives can be confusing. There’s Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Part D (prescriptions), and what is called Part C, Medicare Advantage – more on that in a moment. I am opposed to Medicare Advantage because it is not Medicare. It is private insurance that is allowed to bill Medicare for its costs, with the ultimate goal of privatizing Medicare and eventually bankrupting it as a government program. I know, I know … millions of older Americans love their Advantage plans! So much so that half of all Medicare enrollees now have them. But I will not be one of them. I want to make sure Medicare is around for the generations after me, and I trust privatized health insurance as far as I can through the nearest Social Security office. I will be buying a supplemental plan instead, which covers the percentage original Medicare does not. And I’ll be getting prescription drug coverage individually as well. You will need to consider all your options, preferably with someone who can walk you through them and who does not have a vested interest in you taking an Advantage plan. Be aware that your premiums will be deducted from you Social Security if you’re receiving it (I took it at 62). If not, you’ll have to pay them separately.
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Health Beat: 5 Years with a CPAP Machine
I’ve used a CPAP machine for five years now. I consider myself one of the lucky ones: I’m able to use the ‘nostril pillows,’ which is probably the least invasive, most easy-to-adjust-to option available. Still, there are adjustments to using a CPAP that don’t go away. Traveling is a big one. Every time we leave for a trip, whether it’s overnight or a two-week cruise, I have to lug this thing around with me. That means I’m also usually taking a gallon of sterile water, since that’s the kind you’re supposed to use to keep the machine from being damaged by minerals. It feels like a dreaded appendage, or a third traveler I would prefer to drop off at the nearest crossroads.
Having said all that, the machine has prevented me from waking up with the headaches I often got from being oxygen-deprived. That’s one of the more serious side affects of sleep apnea: stopping breathing dozens of times a night creates health risks that can lead to stroke, heart attack, and those awful headaches. By keeping your breathing open and free, a CPAP machine is an effective way to prolong your life and avoid all these medical issues.
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Health Beat: How Can You Tell If It’s Arthritis?
By Mark McNease
I’ve had some steady pain in my right arm for a couple years now. At first I attributed it to repetitive motion at my grocery store job, which I just retired from. But the doctor told me two years ago, when I had to be off work for two weeks because I couldn’t lift my arm above my waist, that it was probably arthritis, or a combination of the two. So how do we tell if that persistent pain in a limb or joint is arthritis?
The Signs of Arthritis
If you are over the age of 40 and are starting to notice that your joints feel stiff or painful, there is a chance that you may be developing arthritis. It can be hard to tell if these symptoms are caused by the natural aging process or something more serious, but it’s always advisable to speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following early signs of arthritis:
Joint Pain and Stiffness: One of the most common early signs of arthritis is joint pain and stiffness. You may notice that certain areas, such as your hands or feet, begin to hurt when you move them in certain ways. This pain can also be accompanied by a feeling of tightness or stiffness in the affected area.