Most of you reading this blog have some sort of sleep disorder. Sleep apnea shows up quite often with PCOS…and with it, comes a prescription for a noisy fighter pilot mask contraption called a CPAP machine.
I have yet to hear anyone say that a CPAP actually improves quality of life, as it requires trading one discomfort for another.
So I was more than interested when a Google ad recently popped up, in which it was reported that regular didgeridoo playing helped to lessen the symptoms of sleep apnea. If you're not a music geek, a didgeridoo is an instrument traditionally played by native Australians. (I'm including a video with a sample of the music below, you may recognize its unique sound once you listen.)
Apparently, the muscles that are strengthened with didgeridoo playing, are the ones that are weak in people with sleep apnea. In the study referenced below, with 25 minutes of playing a day, 6 days a week, study participants experienced significantly less daytime sleepiness. And their sleep partners reported improved quality of sleep as well!
If you're musically inclined, or adventurous, it is certainly worth a shot to see if it helps your condition! If you're a sleep-deprived sleep apnea significant other…you may just have found your perfect birthday/anniversary gift for that person who has everything.
If you live in the Los Angeles area, and you have sleep apnea, whether or not you have PCOS, we're hoping to collaborate with a small business over there specializing in didgeridoo crafting. We think a beach front class in how to play this interesting instrument could be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon! If you're interested in knowing more, please contact me at marika@google.com.
If you're interested in the instrument, but can't get yourself to LA, please visit our new friends' website, http://www.laoutback.com/. Be sure to tell them where you heard of their instruments.
Puhan MA, Suarez A, Lo Cascio C, Zahn A, Heitz M, Braendli O Didgeridoo playing as alternative treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: randomised controlled trial. BMJ. 2006 Feb 4;332(7536):266-70. Epub 2005 Dec 23.